Using Other Academic Institutions

I'm sure we have all had to come into contact with the various academic institutions in Toronto -- particularly through that sometimes frustrating and glacially-paced system known as RACER. These universities also have valuable special collections and archival materials that are open to visiting scholars, all of which can be viewed online. While I have not compiled an extensive list of institutions nor what's on offer at the ones I've mentioned, I hope you'll find the information below helpful!


York University

York's special collections have perhaps the most interest for me in terms of my project on discourses of race/racism and class because York has had a long investment in topics of social justice, which is certainly reflected in the Clara Thomas Archives. While some of the fonds are available online, I found that many were not, thus requiring that long and arduous trip north of Steeles (one day, the subway will go there). I found a wide variety of international collections on many different topics such as genocide, peacekeeping, war, development, labour issues, education, and etc. within a breadth of geopolitical locations. For example, the Mountain Fund archive contains information on "the Mountain Fund to Help Save the Boat People," a Christian foundation headed by Hamiltonian John Smith that intended to aid Vietnamese refugees. It contains a series of documents, photos, financial information, and correspondence. I also found collections on political crises in Zimbabwe (Gregory Caplan fonds), on labour and class rights issues, queer rights and activism, and etc.


University of Toronto

For all projects, the U of T is extremely valuable for its immense library system. For those interested in contemporary theory, history, and literature, I have found that the UT libraries will carry new books shortly after their publication. However, the Toronto libraries also hold special interest for those looking at more historical manuscripts, as the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, as well as many of the college libraries (the Graham, the Kelly, the Pontifical Institute) have amazing collections of medieval and early modern to the present day materials. I would definitely recommend looking at the smaller libraries, as they often have hidden gems! McMaster students can also obtain library cards in the main floor of Robarts.
        Another thing that has been quite valuable to me is the space in which to work. If you come up for some research there, you'll find that because there is a multitude of libraries, you are able to work in relative silence and comfort. The Graham has been a personal favourite of mine...

Ryerson

This university doesn't have the most extensive library, but for those interested in digital media it has quite a lot of content on film, photography, radio, and television broadcasting.