U of T Libraries

U of T Archives

First World War

Remembrance Day

Subheadline

The flower was pressed inside a letter sent by U of T graduate Harold Wrong a day before the Battle of the Somme

Harold Wrong was a First World War soldier who sent one last letter to his brother Murray on June 30, 1916. It contained a single pressed flower and one line: "All well with me."

The next day marked the Battle of the Somme and Wrong, who had graduated from University College just three years earlier, was never seen alive again.

The letter and flower were donated to the University of Toronto Archives and the identity of the flower has been a mystery – until now.

Using new and emerging technologies and working with botanists and scholars beyond the university, U of T librarians, archivists and researchers from U of T Mississauga’s Old Books, New Science lab have solved the mystery of the 108-year-old Somme flower.

“In academia, we’re always curious and we always want to know things,” says Loryl MacDonald, associate chief librarian for special collections and director of the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. “And to think that a pressed flower like that is 108 years old and survived that long! The fact that the family had preserved the flower for so long is very touching.”

To those who ask why the type of flower matters, Jessica Lockhart, head of research at the Old Books New Science lab says, “Well, if you know the flower, you know more about Harold. You understand why he found it beautiful and why he wanted to share it.

“And that’s an important detail that tells us so much more about his final message.”

Read the complete story of the Somme Flower at U of T Libraries

Learn long and prosper: U of T’s Fisher Library becomes ‘eternal archive’ on Star Trek: Discovery

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 17 May 2024 20:51:35 +0000

Learn long and prosper: U of T’s Fisher Library becomes ‘eternal archive’ on Star Trek: Discovery

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 05/17/2024 - 16:51

Cutline

Hy'Rell (Elena Juatco) leads Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Book (David Ajala) through the Eternal Archive and Gallery in an episode of Star Trek: Discovery that was filmed in U of T's Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library (photo by Marni Grossman/Paramount+)

Topic

Subheadline

The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library was chosen as a filming location for the latest episode of the sci-fi series because of its unique architecture and "commitment to preservation and the pursuit of knowledge"

The team behind Star Trek: Discovery didn’t have to venture too far into the final frontier to find the perfect venue for a boundless library containing all the knowledge of the universe.

The University of Toronto’s Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library stars as a complete repository of cosmic wisdom in the latest episode of the sci-fi series, titled “Labyrinths,” which premiered this week and is available to stream on Paramount Plus.

The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library (photo by U of T Communications)

With its tiered stacks of timeless tomes, the Fisher library – a brutalist architectural marvel – serves as more than a retro-futuristic TV setting, says Michael Cassabon, director of advancement at U of T Libraries.

“I think the university is trying to imagine an ideal future and bring it into the present … whether it’s working on inclusion, diversity and equity, or science and exploration,” he says.

“The Star Trek future represents a lot of what we’re trying to materialize.”

A self-proclaimed “Trekkie,” Cassabon says he had to set his fandom aside when reviewing the request to bring the USS Discovery to Fisher Library, which holds about 800,000 volumes and 5,000 linear metres of manuscripts.

Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery (photo by Marni Grossman/Paramount+)

The Toronto-based production has previously filmed at various U of T locations. However, camera crews rarely gain access to Fisher Library’s valuable stacks and a shoot of this scale was unprecedented, Cassabon says.

The deciding factor? The pivotal role Fisher Library would play in the run-up to the series finale, offering the galaxy a glimpse of the rich trove of knowledge preserved within its walls.

“It was exciting that Fisher Library wouldn’t just be a backdrop,” Cassabon says. “It was like the library itself was a character – a very important character – in the story.

“The Fisher Library is a national treasure, and we thought this was a really good way of making it known to a lot of folks out there.”

The fifth and final season of Star Trek: Discovery sends the crew on an interstellar scavenger hunt to uncover a hidden ancient power. The final clue lies in the “eternal archive,” an infinite library safeguarding the secrets of the universe.

As soon as Star Trek: Discovery location manager Melissa Warry-Smith read the site description, she says only one place came to mind.

“Not only does [Fisher Library] look like it is from the future and could in fact have been plucked directly from the Star Trek universe, but the library’s commitment to preservation and the pursuit of knowledge is intrinsic to the core values of Star Trek,” Warry-Smith says.

Larry Alford, right, university chief librarian, observes filming from a director's chair (photo by Michael Cassabon)

“The library is a stunning example of what we can achieve when we care deeply about preserving and sharing knowledge, and commit to coming together to use that knowledge for a shared vision of a better future for all – and what could be more Star Trek than that?”

This respect for the preservation of knowledge shaped the production team’s approach to shooting the scenes, says Cassabon.

Filming took place overnight to minimize disruption to readers and researchers. The crew worked with Fisher’s librarians and archivists to implement strict protocols to protect its precious collections, including using heat-free lighting to prevent damage to delicate materials.

Cassabon and Larry Alford, university chief librarian at U of T Libraries, were on set for part of the shoot.

For Cassabon, meeting the show’s cast and crew was a fanboy moment.

“It was super surreal for me,” he says. “These are my childhood heroes.”

Filming took place overnight to minimize disruption to readers and researchers`(photo by Marni Grossman/Paramount+)

Cassabon adds that many researchers, professors and students have drawn inspiration from Star Trek as they look to tackle some of the greatest challenges in the world – and beyond.

Many of the show’s themes are reflected on campus, he says.

For example, the episode’s search through the “eternal archive” echoes the work of a U of T-led international research collaboration that’s using new techniques to unearth long-hidden stories lurking within Fisher Library and other collections, Cassabon says. And he notes that Star Trek has a nearly six-decade history of breaking new TV ground when it comes diverse representation and inclusivity – another one of the university’s core values.

“So much of Star Trek is imaging a world where … the things that label and divide us have faded away,” Cassabon says. “The university is all about trying to create a more inclusive and just world. It’s all about working together in harmony toward progress.”

Both U of T and Fisher Library are credited in “Labyrinths,” which is dedicated to “librarians everywhere, dedicated to the preservation of artifacts, knowledge, and truth.”

In photos: Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library marks 15 years as a 'hub for academic exploration’

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 14:42:59 +0000

In photos: Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library marks 15 years as a 'hub for academic exploration’

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 03/28/2024 - 10:42

Cutline

Vivienne Poy, former senator and former U of T chancellor, cuts a cake celebrating the 15^thanniversary of U of T’s Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library (photo by Paul Terefenko)

U of T Libraries Staff

Topic

The University of Toronto’s Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library celebrated its 15th anniversary this week as a hub for academic exploration and cultural dialogue.

The library houses the largest research collection dedicated to Hong Kong and Canada-Hong Kong studies outside of Hong Kong itself – and plays an important role in enriching knowledge and understanding about Hong Kong and its connections with Canada.

It is named after Richard Charles Lee, a prominent figure in Hong Kong and father of Vivienne Poy, a former senator and former U of T chancellor who played a crucial role in promoting cultural exchange between Canada and Hong Kong.

Larry Alford, U of T’s university chief librarian, spoke about the library's influence on the community at a reception and open house event.

“From its inception, this library was envisioned not just as a repository of knowledge but as a catalyst for academic exchange and cultural dialogue,” he said, noting that the library leverages Toronto’s unique cultural diversity and plays a pivotal role in nurturing relationships with international students, scholars and researchers.

“Given Toronto's substantial Hong Kong diaspora, the Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library stands as a vital hub for academic exploration. It attracts not just members of the diaspora but also a wider audience from across the metropolitan area, Canada and the world.”

Alford was joined at the event by Poy, who talked about the library's rich history and humble beginnings, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who shared her perspectives on the library's impact on the city and emphasized its significance within the community.

The event also included a Faculty of Music clarinetist’s performance of three iconic Hong Kong songs and a poetry recital by representatives of the University of Toronto Cantonese Debate Group.

Photographer Paul Terefenko was there to capture the event.

Maria Lau (photo by Paul Terefenko)

Maria Lau, director of the Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library addresses attendees at the reception.

(photo by Paul Terefenko)

Vivienne Poy, former senator and former U of T chancellor, spoke about the rich history and humble beginnings of the Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library.

(photo by Paul Terefenko)

Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized the significance of the Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library, highlighting its impact not only on university students and Toronto residents, but also on a global scale. She also noted its pivotal role in preserving history and digitally archiving significant items, particularly those of importance to Hong Kong.

(photo by Paul Terefenko)

Clarinetist Jasmine Chan of the Faculty of Music performs for attendees at the event.

(photo by Paul Terefenko)

Vivienne Poy, right, and Neville Poy meet with event attendees.

(photo by Paul Terefenko)

From left to right: Maria Lau, Vivienne Poy, Olivia Chow and Larry Alford.

U of T’s Black History Month Luncheon to mark 22 years of celebrating Black excellence

mattimar — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 20:19:27 +0000

U of T’s Black History Month Luncheon to mark 22 years of celebrating Black excellence

mattimar Thu, 02/01/2024 - 15:19

Cutline

The 22nd edition of the Black History Month Luncheon, to be held at Hart House on Feb. 28, will feature former governor general Michaëlle Jean, top row, middle, as the keynote speaker (photo of Michaëlle Jean by Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty, others by Johnny Guatto and Mariam Matti)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Black History Month Luncheon

Black History Month

Division of University Advancement

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Subheadline

The luncheon is one of many events taking place across U of T’s three campuses during Black History Month

Over the past two decades, the University of Toronto’s annual Black History Month Luncheon has grown in popularity and significance across U of T’s three campuses – and beyond.

Glen Boothe, the luncheon’s co-founder, attributes the event’s ongoing success to a “diversity for all” approach that stems from an inspiring mix of Black culture, history and, of course, delicious food.

“It gets bigger every year, and it’s heartening to see because that’s an indication that the message is resonating with more people,” says Boothe, who works for U of T’s division of advancement.

Michaëlle Jean (photo by Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images)

This year’s luncheon – the 22nd edition of the event – will be held inside the Great Hall at Hart House on Feb. 28 and will feature keynote speaker Michaëlle Jean, the former governor general of Canada. She will be joined by spoken-word poet – and Ontario’s first poet laureate – Randell Adjei.

Boothe encourages those who cannot attend in-person to organize a viewing party and watch the livestream of the luncheon, which will be emailed to individuals who register for the event.

The luncheon will also have a separate program – and livestream – for students from high schools across Greater Toronto. They will be joined by Dalton Higgins, an author and journalist, Esie Mensah, a choreographer who has worked with Drake and Rihanna, Aiza, a singer and songwriter, Brandon Gonez, the CEO of Gonez Media, and Stacey McKenzie, a model and motivational speaker.

“We like to showcase the idea of Black excellence, especially to the high school students, to say to them, ‘This is what you can aspire to,’” Boothe says.

In 2022, U of T established the Black History Month Luncheon Award and committed to matching donations up to a total of $50,000. The award supports a Black undergraduate student in financial need. Air Canada is one of the sponsors of the event and has donated airline tickets for a raffle. The lunch is also sponsored by Coca-Cola and TD Bank.

Randell Adjei (photo by Jeremychanphotography/Getty Images)

The luncheon is one of many events across U of T’s three campuses that mark Black History Month.

From workshops to events highlighting Black authors, U of T Mississauga has a full program of Black History Month events, including a dinner and a welcome ceremony on Feb. 2 in the Kaneff Centre rotunda.

At U of T Scarborough, a tri-campus event called Our Stories on Feb. 7 will elevate the voices of international students with a focus on Black History Month – one of several events happening on the campus in February.

On the St. George campus, there’s a wide array of Black History Month events and programming offered by faculties, departments and other campus organizations. Details can be found at the Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office, Hart House and U of T Libraries, among others. They include a series of free events – organized by libraries at U of T, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto Public Library and York University – to improve coverage of Black histories on Wikipedia and Wikidata, and a student-run Black hackathon organized by the U of T chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.

As for the luncheon, Booth says he is thankful for the ongoing support.

“Initially this was an event within our community and now I feel everybody’s support and excitement.”

U of T marks Orange Shirt Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 19:58:33 +0000

U of T marks Orange Shirt Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 09/29/2023 - 15:58

Cutline

Attendees wear orange shirts at a tri-campus event at Hart House ahead of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (photo by Polina Teif)

Adina Bresge

Topic

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

Subheadline

Events took place across the three campuses in advance of Sept. 30

The University of Toronto community came together to commemorate Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by honouring survivors of Canada’s residential school system, reflecting on its lasting impact on Indigenous communities and recommitting to reconciliation.

Attendees packed the Great Hall at Hart House for a tri-campus event Friday, with hundreds more tuning into a livestream – one of several events across the university’s three campuses in advance of Sept. 30.

The Hart House event included a panel discussion on the Indian Residential School Survivors’ Storybase, a project at U of T Libraries that aims to make the stories of residential school survivors more accessible by compiling accounts from across the internet into a single searchable resource.

From left: Angela Henshilwood, Desmond Wong, Mikayla Redden and Grant Hurley (photo by Polina Teif)

Mikayla Redden, information services and instruction librarian at New College Library, says storytelling was instrumental in shedding light on the horrors of the residential school system and she hopes the storybase can be a tool to help address its ongoing harms.

“Stories are a huge part of the reason that we know the truth, the courage of residential school survivors in telling their stories for decades – even in the face of disbelief and denial from the Canadian masses,” Redden said.

“They're the reason we're here today. They are the reason for this day. They're the reason for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and everything that resulted from it.”

From left: Ayeza Ahmad, Alexandra Gillespie, David Kim and Rose Patten (photo by David Lee)

Redden, who is a mixed-race woman of Anishinaabe and Anglo settler heritage, says library staff met last year to discuss ways they could go beyond reading lists to amplify the voices of residential school survivors, their families and communities.

They wanted the project to meet an educational need without “taking” from Indigenous Peoples by enlisting their labour or exacerbating intergenerational trauma, Redden said.

“Canadians of all ages, from all walks of life can access the storybase, and they can use these stories, to listen to more of the truth, and learn and unlearn,” Redden said. “Hopefully, they can take what they've learned, encourage others to do the same and turn the emotions that they are feeling … into an action. And that's what reconciliation is, it's an action.”

From left: Andrew Bomberry and John Croutch of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (photo by Polina Teif)

Redden was joined on the panel by Grant Hurley, Canadiana librarian at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, and Desmond Wong, outreach librarian at OISE Library, in a discussion moderated by Angela Henshilwood, head of the Engineering & Computer Science Library.

David Kim, warden of Hart House, emceed Friday’s commemoration, which also featured remarks by Alexandra Gillespie, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga.

Gillespie thanked U of T Mississauga student MJ Singleton for designing the orange shirts worn by many at the event, which shows a mother holding hands and walking forward with her two children beneath the words “Every child matters.”

U of T Chancellor Rose Patten described the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as “one of the most important days in the life of our community and our country.”

The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy building is lit up orange (photo by Steve Barratt)

“In so many ways, Canadians have only begun to take and show responsibility for this,” Patten said at the event. “And doing so requires an unfaltering commitment from all of us.”

After the event, First Nations House hosted a fire for Indigenous community members in the Earth Sciences Courtyard.

Also on Friday, Professor Kisha Supernant of the University of Alberta gave a talk at New College about her research using ground-penetrating radar to identify the sites of potential unmarked graves at former residential schools and her work with Indigenous communities to preserve the sites.

Meanwhile, at U of T Scarborough Campus Farm, footage of the Indigenous Garden was livestreamed from sunrise to sunset.

Earlier in the week, Orange Shirt Beading Workshops were held at the St. George, U of T Mississauga and U of T Scarborough campuses.

Flags will be lowered to half-mast across U of T’s three campuses on Sept. 29 ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is formally recognized across Canada on Sept. 30.

Members of the Indigenous U of T community in need of support can reach out to:

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419)

Students:

U of T Telus Help Student Support can be accessed 24-7.

Other mental health resources, programs and supports are available through the student mental health resource page.

Staff and faculty:

Employee and Family Assistance Program (1-800-663-1142)

Survivors' Flag raised on U of T's three campuses

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 13:23:39 +0000

Survivors' Flag raised on U of T's three campuses

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 09/25/2023 - 09:23

Cutline

The Survivors' Flag flies alongside the Varsity Blues and University of Toronto flags at Varsity Stadium on the St. George campus (photo by Jason Wang)

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Hart House

New College

Subheadline

U of T will mark Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with an event in advance of Sept. 30

As the University of Toronto community prepares to mark Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Survivors’ Flag, which honours Indigenous lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada, has been raised on each of its three campuses.

On the St. George campus, the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE), in partnership with First Nations House and the U of T Office of Indigenous Initiatives, raised the Survivors’ Flag at Varsity Stadium last week. It will be lowered to half-mast on Sept. 30 when the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is formally recognized across Canada.

Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, said the flag is an important sign of support and solidarity with Indigenous communities.

“Public commemoration of the painful history of Canada’s residential school system, whose tragic consequences continue to reverberate today, is a vital component of the reconciliation process,” said Kerr. “It’s also a time for settlers to reflect on taking action to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples and build a better future together.

“I take this opportunity to invite all students, staff and faculty members of KPE to attend Truth and Reconciliation events where their schedule permits and to spend some time reflecting on their own efforts towards reconciliation.”

U of T will commemorate Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a tri-campus event on Sept. 29 in the Great Hall at Hart House that can be attended in person or watched via YouTube livestream. It will feature remarks by Alexandra Gillespie, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga, and U of T Chancellor Rose Patten.

Emceed by Hart House warden David Kim, the event includes a panel discussion on making residential school survivors' stories accessible at U of T libraries. The panel, moderated by Angela Henshilwood, head of the Engineering and Computer Science Library, features Grant Hurley, Canadiana librarian at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, Mikayla Redden, information services and Instruction librarian at New College Library, and Desmond Wong, outreach librarian, OISE Library.

“There is no way to quantify the trauma suffered by the victims and survivors of residential and day schools. Yet this trauma has been shared – as Phyllis Webstad did by recalling the childhood experience that gives Orange Shirt Day its name,” Kelly Hannah-Moffat, U of T’s vice-president of people strategy, equity and culture, said in a statement.

“I urge non-Indigenous members of the U of T community to seek out this and other survivors’ stories to gain greater knowledge, to foster deeper compassion, and to strengthen your resolve to engage in work that restores mutual respect and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.”

Margaret Atwood reveals she’s writing a memoir: NBC’s Today

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:20:26 +0000

Margaret Atwood reveals she’s writing a memoir: NBC’s Today

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 03/08/2023 - 11:20

Cutline

(image courtesy of David Fernandez, Fisher Library)

Topic

Victoria College

Her bibliography includes more than 50 titles spanning fiction, poetry and essays, but author Margaret Atwood says she’s tackling new terrain in her next book: her own story.

Atwood revealed on the NBC’s Today show that she’s working on a memoir – a project she’d previously denied any interest in tackling.

“That’s the kind of thing you say in your youth,” Atwood, 83, told host Jenna Bush Hager during an interview shot inside the University of Toronto’s Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. “You say that when you’re maybe 70.”

Atwood – who completed her bachelor’s degree at Victoria College and was a U of T writer-in-residence in 1972 – talked about her latest collection of short stories, Old Babes in the Wood, and leafed through selections from her extensive archives housed at Fisher, which may serve as a useful resource as Atwood turns her pen on herself. “You can’t just make stuff up,” she says.

Back in the studio, Bush Hager told her Today co-hosts she was excited to spend time with Atwood at her alma mater. “U of T was where Margaret did her undergrad, so it was very cool to be back there with her,” Bush Hager said, thanking Thomas Fisher for hosting the interview. “They very rarely let people film there, but of course, when the queen of Canadian literature comes, they roll out the red carpet.”

Watch the Today Interview

‘That object has a story’: Alexandra Gillespie on CBC’s Metro Morning

lanthierj — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 20:37:23 +0000

‘That object has a story’: Alexandra Gillespie on CBC’s Metro Morning

lanthierj Fri, 12/09/2022 - 15:37

Cutline

Professor Alexandra Gillespie heads the Old Books New Science Lab at University of Toronto Mississauga (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Topic

Research and Innovation

U of T Mississauga

At first glance, the dusty and worn pages of an old book from centuries ago might not seem to reveal more than their written content. But a closer look unlocks a treasure trove of knowledge, Professor Alexandra Gillespie told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning on Dec. 8.

Hidden Stories: New Approaches to the Local and Global History of the Book is the latest in a series of projects co-ordinated by the research team at the University of Toronto Mississauga’s Old Books New Science Lab, led by Gillespie, who is also a U of T vice-president and the principal of U of T Mississauga. It aims to explore the systems, peoples and cultures that make a book, including its physical and biological properties that reveal new knowledge.

“When you love books, you don’t only love the thing that you’re reading, you also love the object that’s in your hands, and that object has a story to tell,” Gillespie told host Ismaila Alfa. “We’re also really interested in the books whose stories haven’t been told…The story of media is not a straight line from Gutenberg to Zuckerburg. On the contrary, it’s a rich line with many forking paths that takes in all parts of the world.”

The Hidden Stories project examines manuscripts in the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library and across the world including China, Ethiopia, east Africa, North America, Tunisia and Nepal.

Listen to the CBC Radio interview

Hidden Stories Project: U of T researchers lead international collaboration on centuries-old books

lanthierj — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 20:14:13 +0000

Hidden Stories Project: U of T researchers lead international collaboration on centuries-old books

lanthierj Tue, 12/06/2022 - 15:14

Cutline

Researchers analyze a manuscript as part of the The Book and Silk Roads project. UTM Old Books New Science Lab is co-ordinating a follow-up project, Hidden Stories, which has received funding from the Mellon Foundation. (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Topic

Research and Innovation