TORONTO, May 15, 2008 --  York University is establishing Canada’s first Chair in E-Librarianship.

The W.P. Scott Chair in E-Librarianship will undertake and support groundbreaking, interdisciplinary research and development that will advance libraries into the future – research and development into areas such as e-learning, digital collections, collaborative web spaces, social software, and interactive and integrative online services and information.

"A Chair in E-Librarianship will attract leading academics internationally and advance teaching and research well into the future," says York University President & Vice Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri.

"It’s an unparalleled opportunity for York to lead Canadian innovation in this important area of learning," says Cynthia Archer, University Librarian. The Chair will evolve quickly as technology does. It will develop services and programs for York University Libraries, ultimately benefiting students, faculty and the larger community.

Specific research projects could include: advancing student engagement by incorporating such applications as Facebook, blogs, wikis and RSS feeds; exploring the provision of electronic books online for children in the developing world; establishing a presence in Second Life; anthropological studies of students in a wired library; review of emerging economic models for electronic publishing; and creating and enhancing virtual research communities where scholars around the world can collaborate on common projects.

The Chair is made possible by a $1 million gift to the York University Foundation from Michael Scott (son of the late W.P. Scott), his wife, Janet, and their family, and by a matching gift from the University.

William Pearson Scott was a well-known philanthropist and a strong supporter of York University. He was one of the first members of York’s Board of Governors in 1959 and Chairman of the Board from 1966 to 1971.

The gift also represents a significant contribution to "York to the Power of 50", the largest fundraising campaign in the University’s history. York has received more than $150 million in pledges to date toward its $200 million goal.

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 24 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

Contact:

Keith Marnoch
York University, Media Relations
416.736.2100 ext. 22091
marnoch@yorku.ca