About the Library

LIBRARY HOURS (unless otherwise posted):

"I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library." - Jorge Luis Borges

Fall/Winter Session (September - April)  
Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 10:30 pm
Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
 
Spring Sessions (May - July)  
Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 8: 00 pm
Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
 
Summer Term (August)  
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday CLOSED
 

 

Please note that checkout services cease 15 minutes before closing.

HISTORY OF THE ARTHUR A. WISHART LIBRARY

The Arthur A. Wishart Library moved to its current location in June 1989. The library is named after the late Arthur A. Wishart, LL.B., Q.C., resident of Sault Ste. Marie, Attorney-General of Ontario 1964-1971 and an outstanding friend of Algoma University.

The library is located west of the main campus building, Shingwauk Hall, and is easily distinguishable by its green roof. Access to and exit from the library is on the Third floor connected to the main campus by a link.

The library building was designed in 1988 by local architect Chris Tossell. His design draws on the historic elements of Shingwauk Hall, the University's first building and former residential school built in 1935 and which was designed in the style of a late Elizabethan "E" plan residence. Specific design features also adapted the building to the northern Ontario winters . These include the steep roof pitches and the use of a durable but warm coloured clay brick.

Distinguishing architectural features within the library include a skylight running the length of the ceiling of the main floor and many additional windows which provide a light, airy atmosphere and stunning views of St. Mary's River, to the south, throughout the seasons.

The seating capacity, on 2 floors provides seating for 180 patrons.

On the mezzanine, overlooking the first floor of the library, there are 16 computer stations for patron use in addition to those available on the first and lower floors.

The library is wheelchair accessible with the exception of the mezzanine. There is an elevator in the link between the library and Shingwauk Hall that arrives just outside the library's main entrance on the third floor. The library itself has an elevator to connect its two floors.

COLLECTIONS

The primary objective of the Arthur A. Wishart Library is to develop and provide access to a well-rounded collection of books, electronic resources periodicals, government documents and audio visual media to support the program of study at Algoma U.

Equipped with the latest information technology, wireless network, and World Wide Web enabled catalogue the library holds approximately 106,680 volumes of books, 300 current subscriptions to print journals,and 12,000 government documents, as well as CDs, videos, audio cassettes and microform. Databases for all academic disciplines are available comprising over 20,000 electronic journals for searching, many of which provide full-text articles and streaming media resources.

The Wishart Library is a full member of the Ontario Council of University Libraries and the Canadian Research Knowledge Network , which is the national level university library consortium and resource sharing network. The library is also a selective depository for both provincial (Ontario) and federal (Canada) governments.

Books in the general and reference collections are shelved in accordance with the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) system used in most academic libraries. Periodicals are shelved alphabetically by title, government document call numbers are based on government catalogue numbers.

Reference, periodicals, government documents and audio visual collections are housed on the main (third) floor of the library as is the Circulation and Media Services Desk. Also on the main floor of the library is the Shingwauk Collection. This is a special collection of documents relating specifically to the history of the Shingwauk Residential School and First Nations peoples in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District.

The general circulating collection of books is on the second floor of the library.

Consumption of food is not permitted in the library. Drinks are permitted in spill-proof covered containers. Patrons are requested to switch off cell phones before entering the library.

To acquaint students with library collections and services and to strengthen research skills, orientation tours and in-depth workshop sessions are offered. Personal attention to student needs is stressed and because it is a small library, staff members are able to work with students on an individual basis helping them to identify print and electronic resources.

The Arthur A. Wishart Library exists primarily to serve the needs of Algoma University students and faculty. However, adult members of the community and high school students are welcome to use the library's collections. Community users who are willing to pay a nominal fee can become registered readers and be accorded limited borrowing privileges.