Published May 26, 2025
Dear community,
We want to acknowledge the messages of concern we have received regarding the decision to relocate the Education Library. The Education Library is a meaningful space to many, including our own librarians and staff, and we understand that this change comes with a sense of loss.
The decision to move the Education Library to Koerner Library was due to the significant structural deficit faced by the Library in relation to the loss of funds previously provided by the university.
The decision was also supported by the changing nature of how people engage with and use library resources, heavily favouring digital usage of the collection. Gate-count data and collections-usage data show this to be true of the Education Library as well. Our decision aims to respond to the evolving needs of students, faculty and researchers, while also responsibly managing library funds to support the continued strength of our services and collections.
First and foremost, we are acutely aware of the importance of the collection as well as the subject matter expertise that supports it. We will continue to prioritize a strong and responsive Education Library collection at its new space in Koerner Library.
What is happening to the collection and services?
- Collections: We can assure community members that the collection is not being deaccessioned. All Education Library physical collections will remain accessible, and access to online materials will continue unabated. During the transition, all materials will be available through a free delivery request system. Through this system, you will be able to request materials for delivery to any other branch within one to two business days. Longer term, high-use and certain specialized materials, such as some children’s literature collections, will move to Koerner Library, while low-use materials will be transferred to storage, where they will continue to be available on request.
- Librarians: We know how valued Education Librarians are to students, faculty and researchers. All Education Librarians will remain in their roles and will move with the collection to the new space at Koerner, so that you can continue to access their critical subject matter expertise.
- Study space: We will continue to provide quiet study space for students throughout the transition period, with access to computers, printers and scanners. We understand the importance of having accessible space for students. 110 study seats will remain open to students as a Learning Commons at Neville Scarfe, with the Faculty of Education leading on the long-term transformation of this space
As we move forward with the transition, we look forward to engaging with students, faculty and community on how we can support the unique identity of the Education Collection within Koerner Library.
We thank you for your patience. All questions can be sent to Susan Parker, University Librarian at Susan.Parker@ubc.ca or Julie Mitchell, Associate University Librarian for Teaching, Learning and Engagement at Julie.Mitchell@ubc.ca
Published May 8, 2025
Effective end of day June 6, 2025, UBC Library will begin relocating the Education Library collections and services from the current space at Neville Scarfe Building to Koerner Library.
As shared in this year’s Library Senate Report, for fiscal year 2024-2025, UBC Library did not receive all of the supplemental funding that has typically been distributed to it by the university each year. With this relocation, the library can ensure the continuity of our service levels and retain all employees, while supporting sustainable resource allocation across the library. The relocated collection will also benefit from the longer operating hours at Koerner.
The entire Education Library collection will remain available throughout the transition via a free inter-library delivery service. This service will allow users to request print materials from the collection for delivery to any UBC Library branch.
Reference and Instruction will continue to be provided by the Education Librarians.
During this transition, the Education Library’s current “front of house” space will be repurposed into a student study space, with technology access.
The move will be completed in 2026. Thank you for your patience as we work through this transition. We look forward to welcoming you to the new Education Library location at Koerner soon.
Questions regarding the Education Library’s relocation can be sent to Julie Mitchell, Associate University Librarian, Teaching & Learning, julie.mitchell@ubc.ca.