Menu

The LibVine

What's going on at Dalhousie Libraries

Category: Featured News

Libraries 2024-2025 Annual Report

Happy 2026! We are pleased to share our 2024-2025 Annual Report. Amid an ever-changing academic landscape, the library remains at the heart of Dalhousie University, providing essential resources, innovative services, and spaces that foster learning and research.

Each year, our staff engage with thousands of students and faculty, while the scholarly information resources we provide are accessed millions of times. Collaborative initiatives undertaken in 2024-2025, such as the development of the Bridge into Agriculture research guide and the preservation of the Anita Martinez photographic collection, reflect our commitment to inclusive knowledge creation and responsible stewardship. Through regional and national partnerships, we also worked to ensure timely and reliable access to resources beyond our own collections and to support grant agency policies that advance open access to research.

We invite you to explore these stories and more in our  2024–2025 Annual Report and join us in recognizing the essential role the Libraries play in advancing Dalhousie’s academic mission.

Announcing the 2026 Cycle of AtlanticOER Development Grants

The Council of Atlantic Academic Libraries (CAAL-CBPA) is excited to announce the 2026 cycle of the AtlanticOER Development Grants.

The AtlanticOER Development Grant program is intended to encourage and support educators in the Atlantic region in the adaptation, creation, and curation of Open Educational Resources (OER). These grants provide financial support to educators teaching credit-bearing courses at publicly funded post-secondary institutions who are interested in creating or adapting new educational resources for their classes. There are three tiers of funding that applicants can apply for, each of which represents a different scope and type of project.

Applications for the 2026 cycle of the AtlanticOER Development Grant program open December 15, 2025, and are due on February 6, 2026. The applications are put through a single blind process, and a committee of CAAL-CBPA members reviews and ranks the applications. Successful applicants will be notified in mid to late March 2026.

An open webinar about the application process will be held on January 13, 2026. 

Get more information about the grant program and application process or check out the list of past grant-funded projects.

Dal Agricultural Campus Community Fine Arts & Crafts Exhibit – Call for Submissions

The Dalhousie Agricultural Campus Community Fine Arts & Crafts Exhibit is back, and we’re inviting the Agricultural campus community to share their artistic talents. This annual event celebrates creativity in all its forms, and we invite you to submit your artwork for the exhibition.

What is the Dal AC Art Show?

Hosted by the MacRae Library, the arts and crafts exhibit provides a welcoming space for students, faculty, and staff to display their original artwork. Whether you’re a painter, photographer, sculptor, woodworker, or digital creator, we want to showcase the creative abilities of the people who study, learn, and thrive at the Agricultural campus.

How to Participate

We are now accepting submissions for the show. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Who can submit? All Dal AC students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
  • What can you submit? Original artwork in any medium: painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, digital art, etc
  • Submission deadline: January 30, 2026
  • How to submit: complete the submission form

Why Participate?

Your art will be featured in a public exhibition at the MacRae Library, allowing you to share your creativity with the Dal AC community. It’s a wonderful way to connect with fellow artists.

Event Details

  • Opening Reception: February 26
  • Exhibition Dates: February 26-April 4
  • Location: MacRae Library, 135 College Road, Truro
  • Admission: Free!

Submit your work today. For full details and submission guidelines, visit the Dal AC Art Show info page.

For questions, please contact Stephanie Peach, exhibit curator at: dalacart@dal.ca.

Celebrating 20 Spatial Years: The GIS Centre Turns 20

November 16, 2025, marks a milestone for Dalhousie University’s Geographic Information Systems Centre (GIS Centre); 20 years of innovation, collaboration, and impact. Established on November 16, 2005, the Centre was launched on International GIS Day, during Geography Awareness Week, making it the perfect moment to introduce a first-of-its-kind GIS hub in a Canadian university library.

From day one, the GIS Centre stood out. It managed a campus-wide Esri software license, ensuring every student, faculty member, and lab had access to powerful GIS tools. At a time when open data was still a dream, the Centre became the clearinghouse for spatial data, supporting research and teaching across disciplines.

From Learning Commons to the 5th Floor

The Centre was officially opened by then-President Tom Traves in the newly created Learning Commons on the first floor of the Killam Library. As demand grew, the Centre relocated twice before settling on the 5th floor of Killam Library, where it continues to thrive.

Today, the Centre is powered by three dedicated staff, Jennifer Strang, Thomas Zuberbuehler, and James Boxall, who work with students, faculty, and staff at Dalhousie, while also collaborating globally with universities, NGOs, governments, and research organizations.

Global Impact Through Projects

Over the past two decades, the GIS Centre has contributed to projects that span continents and disciplines, including:

  • Sea Level Rise & GIS Training – Science University of Hue, Vietnam
  • Western Basin Aquifer & Climate Change – Collaborations with institutions in Canada, USA, and Mexico, supported by World Bank and USDA
  • Halifax Harbour Sea Level Planning – Post-Hurricane Juan projections to 2100 for Halifax Council
  • Halifax Explosion 100th Documentary – Mapping for CBC
  • Arsenic & Bladder Cancer Research – Atlantic Path project
  • International Oceans Institute Summer Training

And countless more, covering nearly every field of study and corner of the globe.

By the Numbers

  • 4,840 days of operation (excluding hurricanes and snowstorms)
  • 31 student employees
  • 14 Esri Canada GIS Scholarships awarded
  • 13,199 photographs from space archived from Commander Chris Hadfield
  • 40,000+ datasets stored, created, or delivered – over 50 terabytes of spatial data

Beyond Data: Building Knowledge

The Centre’s role extends far beyond data management. Staff have supported Dalhousie through online tutorials, in-class labs, guest lectures, course development, and participation in thesis committees. They’ve published articles and book chapters, presented at conferences, hosted GIS and mapping events, and even brought GIS education to elementary schools.

While the Centre doesn’t claim sole credit, its contributions have helped Dalhousie rank 7th in Canada for geography (QS) despite not having a geography department or major.

As we celebrate 20 years of spatial innovation, we’re reminded that this is just the beginning. The next 20 years promise even greater opportunities to advance GIS education, research, and global collaboration.

Here’s to 20 spatial years, and many more to come.

Celebrate GIS Day and 20 years of the GIS Centre at Dal on November 21!

Upcoming Changes: New EBSCOhost Interface Launching December 31, 2025 

On December 31, 2025, EBSCOhost databases will move to a new interface. This update will change the look and functionality of EBSCOhost. You will need to take action if you want to preserve your saved searches and alerts. All databases and content will remain the same.

Affected Databases

Academic Search Premier, America: History & Life, Business Source Complete, CINAHL, EconLit, Film & Television Literature Index, Gender Studies, GreenFILE, Historical Abstracts, International Bibliography of Theatre & Dance, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts, RILM Abstracts of Music Literature, SPORTDiscus, and more.

Note: Dalhousie Libraries’ access to APA PsycINFO and APA PsycARTICLES moved to Ovid on October 1, 2025. Access these via Novanet or the Dalhousie Libraries Database A–Z list.

What Users Need to Do Before December 31

While saved articles and eBook records in MyEBSCO Folders should migrate automatically, saved searches and alerts may not.  To avoid losing important work—especially for knowledge synthesis reviews—we’re asking users to take these steps before December 31:

1. Save Your Search Alerts

  • Go to any EBSCOhost database via our Databases A–Z List
  • Sign in to MyEBSCO
  • Click Folder → Search Alerts
  • For each alert:
    • Click Retrieve Alert → Save Searches/Alerts
    • Name the search and select Saved Search (Permanent)
    • Click Save
  • Repeat for all alerts.

2. Export Your Permanent Searches

  • Go to Folder → Saved Searches
  • For each search:
    • Click Retrieve Saved Search → Print Search History
    • Save as PDF OR copy into a Word document
    • Include database name and date
  • Repeat for all permanent searches.

Want a Sneak Peek?

Need Help?

Questions or assistance? Contact your subject liaison librarian. We’re here to help you prepare for a smooth transition.

Changes to ProQuest: What You Need to Know

If you use ProQuest to find articles, reports, or other research materials, you might notice things look a little different. That’s because ProQuest (owned by Clarivate) has reorganized how its databases are grouped and accessed. Here’s a quick overview of what’s changed and what it means for you.

What’s New?

Our subscription to ProQuest Central has been upgraded to ProQuest Central Premium. This new version includes even more content than before. ProQuest has also bundled its databases into themed collections, which are now grouped under 8 broad subject areas called ProQuest One. For example:

  • ProQuest One Social Sciences
  • ProQuest One Health & Nursing
  • ProQuest One Business, and more.

Each of these includes multiple collections and databases, providing you with access to a broader range of materials in one place.

What Does This Mean for You?

  • More content: You now have access to additional resources that weren’t included before, like J.P. Morgan Research in the Business collection.
  • Fewer direct links: Some individual databases (like Sociological Abstracts) can no longer be linked to directly. Instead, they’re part of larger collections. You can still search them, but you’ll access them through the broader collection or subject area.
  • Updates coming soon: Our library team is updating links on our website (like the A-Z database list and LibGuides) to reflect these changes. You may also need to update any saved links or course materials that point to specific databases.

Need Help?

If you’re unsure how to access a specific resource or need help updating your materials, please reach out to us at library.eresources@dal.ca.

Honouring Truth and Reconciliation Day

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This day honours the children who never returned home from residential schools, Survivors, their families, and communities. It is a time for reflection, education, and action toward reconciliation.

The legacy of residential schools is a painful chapter in Canada’s history, with lasting impacts on Indigenous Peoples. Truth and Reconciliation Day calls on all Canadians to acknowledge these truths and commit to meaningful change. Wearing an orange shirt symbolizes the message that “Every Child Matters”, inspired by Phyllis Webstad’s story of having her orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school.

Reconciliation is not a one-day event, it is an ongoing journey of learning, listening, and building respectful relationships. As former TRC Chair Murray Sinclair said, “Education is what got us into this mess, and education is key to getting us out of it.” Take time to learn about Indigenous histories, cultures, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Engage in conversations, attend local events, and support Indigenous-led initiatives.

Resources for Learning

Dal Libraries Announces Dal Reads 2025-2026 Title: Son of Elsewhere

Dal Libraries is delighted to announce that the 2025-2026 book title for Dal Reads is Son of Elsewhere by Elamin Abedelmahmoud!

About Son of Elsewhere from the Publisher

From one of the most beloved media personalities of his generation comes a one-of-a-kind reflection on Blackness, faith, language, pop culture, and the challenges and rewards of finding your way in the world.

Professional wrestling super fandom, Ontario’s endlessly unfurling 401 highway, late nights at the convenience store listening to heavy metal—for writer and podcast host Elamin Abdelmahmoud, these are the building blocks of a life. Son of Elsewhere charts that life in wise, funny, and moving reflections on the many threads that weave together into an identity.

Arriving in Canada at age 12 from Sudan, Elamin’s teenage years were spent trying on new ways of being in the world, new ways of relating to his almost universally white peers. His is a story of yearning to belong in a time and place where expectation and assumptions around race, faith, language, and origin make such belonging extremely difficult, but it’s also a story of the surprising and unexpected ways in which connection and acceptance can be found.

In this extraordinary debut collection, the process of growing—of trying, failing, and trying again to fit in—is cast against the backdrop of the memory of life in a different time, and different place—a Khartoum being bombed by the United States, a nation seeking to define and understand itself against global powers of infinite reach.

Taken together, these essays explore how we pick and choose from our experience and environment to help us in the ongoing project of defining who we are—how, for instance, the example of Mo Salah, the profound grief practices of Islam, the nerdy charm of The O.C.‘s Seth Cohen, and the long shadow of colonialism can cohere into a new and powerful whole.

With the perfect balance of relatable humor and intellectual ferocity, Son of Elsewhere confronts what we know about ourselves, and most important, what we’re still learning.

Get a Copy of Son of Elsewhere

Free paperback copies of the book will be available at Dalhousie Libraries. Look for our book stations at a library near you to grab a copy.

eBook and audiobook copies are available by searching Novanet or the Libby app. To borrow materials, just log in with your NetID and password.

First time borrowing an eBook? Get more information and guidance on borrowing eBooks from Dal Libraries.

About Dal Reads

Dal Reads is the university’s unity reading program – it’s designed to encourage our Dal community to share their love of reading. Dal Reads selections are provided for free and come in ebook, audiobook, and paperback. Launched in 2009, the program brings the Dalhousie community together through the shared experience of reading the same book and taking part in programming and events.

Libraries Ending Laptop Loans Program

The Libraries is ending its Laptop Loans Program effective September 4.  

Our Laptop Loans Program was expanded during COVID to support students through a period of extreme disruption, but it is not a service we can provide on an ongoing basis.  

For future computing support, we encourage students to: 

  • Use the computers and workstations in our learning commons  
TOP