U of T library system ranked among top three in North America
Published: August 23, 2012
The University of Toronto has retained its status as one of the top three library systems in North America – after Harvard and Yale – according to the Association of Research Libraries (ARL).
U of T was the only Canadian university included in the top 10 of the U.S.-based organization's rankings.
“The University of Toronto Libraries are a national treasure and regarded as a key resource by leading scholars worldwide," said Chief Librarian Larry P. Alford. "We are proud to be ranked in the prestigious company of Harvard and Yale, which I believe is recognition of our world-class collections, culture of technological innovation and the deep expertise of library staff whose work facilitates discovery of this record of human culture and achievement.”
The ARL annually ranks its members based on total expenditures, materials expenditures, salary expenditures and number of staff. You can view video profiles of some of U of T's libraries here.
“The strength of the U of T library system remains a huge advantage for Canada’s finest research university. I want to thank and congratulate all our library staff across three campuses, and acknowledge a legacy of leadership that Chief Librarian Larry Alford and his team are sustaining with distinction,” said U of T President David Naylor.
The U of T library system has placed among the ARL’s top five research libraries since 2002-2003 and comprises 44 individual libraries that hold more than 12 million volumes in 128 languages; 93,000 serial titles; and over 28,000 linear metres of archival material. It is the third-largest academic library in North America, following the Harvard University and Yale University libraries.
