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The Friends of the Libraries is a volunteer organization of McGill Libraries advocates. We raise awareness about the McGill Libraries' extraordinary resources and we raise funds to provide tangible support.

Our Friends are McGill alumni, students, staff and faculty as well as a host of other Libraries and McGill enthusiasts from around North America.

The Friends of the Libraries Committee invites you to join and become a Friend of the Libraries! Please visit the Join page for more information.

The Friends host numerous lectures and special events over the course of the academic year. Please visit our Events page for a listing and to RSVP.

» Learn more about the Friends of the Libraries

Year in Review: Reflections from the Friends of the Libraries’ Chair

By Lenore Harris, Chair, Friends of the McGill Libraries

Hello! It is difficult to believe that just over a year has passed since I assumed the role of Chair of the Friends of the Libraries. It has been a rewarding journey, filled with successes and challenges. I am proud of the progress we have made, the goals we have accomplished, and of our ability to pivot where necessary.

At the beginning of 2024, we undertook a restructuring of our committees. Mandates and goals were established for eight committees, each of which is headed by a Chair and supported by at least one staff member. Here are a few of the highlights we attained.

During the last thirteen months, four outstanding lectures were presented addressing a wide range of topics. The Hugh MacLennan Lecture focused on the hot topic of Book Bans and their impact on Canadian Communities. The panel of three speakers featured Executive Director of the Ontario Library Association of and Chair of Canada’s Book and Periodical Council Michelle Arbuckle, Executive Director of PEN Canada Brendan de Caires and award-winning Canadian author Robin Stevenson. Former Associate Dean, Collections and current Dean of York Libraries Joseph Hafner moderated a great discussion that explored the necessity of community advocacy to preserve diverse literary voices and the growing concerns about the effects of censorship on public discourse.

The F. R. Scott Lecture was delivered by Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Michelle O’Bonsawin in conversation with Professor Colleen Sheppard, Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and F.R. Scott Chair in Public & Constitutional Law. Justice O’Bonsawin spoke of her journey to the bench, of her particular interest in and scholarship around Gladue principles and of her belief in education. A big thank you to lecture donors Virginia K.H. Lam, Peter McNally, and Charles Taylor for their generous support of the event and Friends board members Michael Colson, Frances Groen, and Don Walcot for spearheading the fundraising initiatives.

Two Shakespeare Lectures, in partnership with the Stratford Festival were held. The first featured actor, playwright, teacher and McGill graduate, Jessica B. Hill in conversation with Professor Paul Yachnin, McGill Tomlinson Professor of Shakespeare Studies. The discussion focused on the intersection of race, culture, and the understanding of Shakespeare’s works, and Hill reflected on her experiences transitioning from actress to playwright, encouraging new interpretations of the Bard’s work. The second lecture entitled “Reimagining Shakespeare, Remaking Modern World Systems” featured an exchange amongst Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival Antoni Cimolino, Laurette Dubé, Scientific Director of the McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics and Paul Yachnin, Tomlinson Professor of Shakespeare Studies at McGill. They discussed the balance between economic pursuits and personal significance within Shakespeare’s narratives. The audience was encouraged to explore Shakespeare’s themes as a means to navigate current societal challenges.

At the Friends’ AGM held in December 2024, the Friend of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Mario Molina, a distinguished member of the Osler Board of Curators and past president of the American Osler Society. Dr. Molina’s extraordinary $2 million gift to the Osler Library of the History of Medicine established an endowment that ensures permanent funding for a second librarian position at the Osler Library and the naming of the Molina Family Head of the Osler Library of the History of Medicine. Thanks to his generosity, and the support of other generous donors, the Libraries are now just $500,000 away from reaching the $4-million goal to fully fund this critical role.

Finally, a new, creative, and very important initiative was introduced this year. The Friends of the Libraries Student Library Awards will be presented to four undergraduate students who best demonstrate their use of library services and resources in the creation of a research project, lab report, critically appraised topic, creative work or other coursework and who demonstrate an excellent understanding of the connection between their research and these library services and resources. Each student will be awarded a $1000 cash prize and have their projects preserved in eScholarship, McGill’s institutional repository.

As one can see, the Friends of the Libraries have not been idle and there is more! Look out for further exciting projects coming soon.

Thank you to the members of the Board for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the Libraries. Thank you to McGill colleagues in the Libraries’ Communications Office and University Advancement Office for their unwavering support. Together with our inspirational leader, Trenholme Dean of Libraries Guylaine Beaudry, we will ensure that the Libraries remain a beacon of scholarship for current and future generations of students.

And last, but not least, thank YOU – our “Friends” – for your support and camaraderie! We look forward to continuing to bring you the best of what McGill University and its Libraries have to offer.

Lenore Harris

Chair of Friends of the Libraries