Nominations are open for the 2025 Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) Outstanding Contribution Award! 

This award recognizes member library workers’ exemplary achievements in advancing the OCUL mission and/or strategic priorities, celebrating the dedication and ingenuity of OCUL colleagues who embody the values of networking, collaboration and community.

Award eligibility

Nominees can be individuals or teams currently employed at an OCUL member library or in another department from the academic institution that partners with the member library. 

The directors of the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) have approved the consortium's new strategic plan for 2025-2029. 

Guided by core principles meant to advance academic research, teaching and learning, nurture social change and reconciliation with Indigenous communities, support robust infrastructure, and demonstrate value, the plan reflects OCUL's enduring commitment to innovative and equitable university library services.

The Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) is proud to share that Catherine Davidson has been presented with the Excellence in Leadership Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions as part of the consortium’s Executive Committee. 

The Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) is excited to announce this year’s governance group appointments, each of whom will play an integral role in advancing the consortium’s strategic priorities and key initiatives.

Standing committees and subcommittees are central to the development of consortial services and help guide OCUL decision-making. These groups comprise library leaders and workers from across OCUL member institutions who were nominated candidates for their appointed roles.

Collaborative Futures, a key initiative of the Ontario Council of University Libraries, is pleased to announce the event agenda for its half-day Mini Conference taking place Tuesday, July 8, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Designed to foster innovation and collaboration among library professionals, this year’s online Mini Conference promises a dynamic program emphasizing learned practices and new processes for shared library technologies. Speakers will join the event from across several Ontario academic libraries.

Agenda highlights include:

As artificial intelligence and machine learning (AIML) become increasingly integrated into higher education, academic libraries play a growing role in these technologies’ adoption in research and learning. 

The information and technology landscape continues to rapidly expand, with increasing pressure to match its pace. As new tools and access models are developed by vendors, how does Scholars Portal stand apart? What are the core values and priorities that form the foundations of our work, and how do we design services and infrastructure built on these foundations to support libraries for the long term? For Scholars Portal Days 2025, we want to discuss building with intention, both locally and consortially. 

Join us May 29 and 30 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. EDT to celebrate the mindful innovation that fuels our community’s persistence and our shared dedication to Canadian academic library services well into the future.

The Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) is delighted to announce the appointment of Kari Weaver, BA, MLIS, Ed.D., as AI and Machine Learning Program Manager. 

OCUL launched its AI and Machine Learning (AIML) Program in the summer of 2024, starting with five pilot projects. The program’s pilot projects were chosen from community-developed use cases and designed to create reusable tools and techniques that can transform and adapt for future use. As the projects get underway, OCUL members will be invited to participate in the exploration and evaluation of these new technologies.