January 16, 2025

• The old Map Collection will be closed from January 16, 2026 (starting at 5pm) until May 2, 2026, as we prepare for the next stage of the Libraries’ renovation project. 
• We anticipate that the new Map Collection space will be fully available by Friday, January 30.  
• As a reminder, if you require circulating items from the Map Collection between from now until January 30, please submit requests through Omni, the Libraries’ catalogue. Requests for non-circulating materials may be directed to askusyul@yorku.ca. 

January 13, 2025

Over the past month, the former Sound and Moving Image space has been refreshed with new carpeting and a fresh coat of paint. With these updates complete, we are pleased to begin relocating the Map Collection to its new home.

From January 13–16, patrons may notice increased noise and foot traffic in the first-floor corridor as map cabinets and materials are moved across the hall. We appreciate your patience and ask that you take care when moving through the area during this time.

As a reminder, if you require circulating items from the Map Collection between December 2025 and mid-January 2026, please submit requests through Omni, the Libraries’ catalogue. Requests for non-circulating materials may be directed to askusyul@yorku.ca.

York University Libraries looks forward to welcoming students, faculty, and researchers into the newly refreshed Map Collection space in late January 2026. Please check back regularly for further updates!

December 2, 2025

Big changes are on the way at York University Libraries (YUL) — and we’re excited to share how these improvements will enhance your experience as a visitor, learner, and community member!

Improving Spaces to Support Your Learning

In January 2025, York University Libraries received a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Education to help us modernize and refresh several key areas across our libraries:

• including the revitalization of the Libraries’ existing classroom spaces.
• and the creation of a new, purpose-built classroom on the first floor of Scott Library.

With more than 9,000 people visiting Scott Library every day, this accessible and centrally located classroom will allow us to deliver more hands-on learning opportunities and support our growing number of workshops and instruction sessions.

These space improvements are being developed in consultation with partners across the University. Together, we’re working to design flexible, inclusive environments that reflect how today’s students’ study, collaborate, and create.

Growing Demand for Learning Support

In 2024–25, YUL delivered 504 learning events—from online workshops to in-class sessions—reaching more than 20,000 learners.

This year also saw the successful launch of our Core Curriculum Series, a set of four interactive 90-minute workshops designed to help first- and second-year students build foundational academic research skills. Thanks to overwhelming demand from students, the Libraries had to double the capacity of the fall 2025 sessions!

Timelines & Next Steps

As part of our ongoing space renewal project, here is a timeline of what you can expect in the months ahead:

• The Map Collection (currently Rm 102, Scott Library) is moving across the hall into the former Sound & Moving Image Collection (SMIC) space (Rm 125) during December 2025 to January 2026.
• In December 2025, the current SMIC area will undergo a refresh, including new carpeting and paint, before the Map Collection is moved into this space.
• It is anticipated that the SMIC areawill reopen in mid-January 2026 and the Map Collection will be available again for teaching, learning and research.
• If you require circulating items from the Map Collection during December 2025 to mid-January 2026, please request them via Omni (the Libraries’ catalogue). Requests for non-circulating items can be sent to askusyul@yorku.ca.
• The current Map Collection area will close in late January 2026. This will allow construction of the new first-floor classroom to begin. The re-opening of this space is planned for early summer.  We’ll work hard to keep disruptions to a minimum throughout the renovation period.
• This timeline will be updated frequently as project milestones are reached.

We’re excited to bring these improvements to life and create spaces that better support your academic success. Thank you for visiting the Libraries and for being part of our vibrant community.

If you have questions or feedback, we’d love to hear from you! You can email us at libraries@yorku.ca

York University Libraries