Right on University Avenue and Bloor Street near the heart of Toronto’s
shopping district is the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Opened in 1914, its diverse
collections number more than five million objects and there is something for
everyone, whether you like rocks and minerals, Chinese art, Greek sculpture,
zoology (the Bat Cave is a popular feature) or dinosaurs (the current Feathered
Dinosaurs exhibit is outstanding).
Over the years the ROM has experienced much change and
growth, with two major expansions completed in1933 and 1984. A third project is
currently underway, but despite major construction the ROM remains a vibrant and
exciting place. The museum is open free to the public on Friday nights, and
Torontonians take full advantage – the place was packed when I stopped by in
June during the SLA conference!
Of
course, the ROM’s research, exhibitions and educational activities require a
good library. It’s not open to
the public; I had to ask at the front desk and then thread my way back through
various non-public corridors. Luckily, though rather surprisingly, there is good
signage. Finally, I walked into the reading room, lined with current journals
and furnished with worktables and chairs and quite a few people; the main
collection is housed in back. Library folk being naturally helpful people who
love to show their treasures, the staff person on the desk promptly called the
librarian to give me a tour.
The library has a very interesting history. Originally there were three
libraries with distinct collections, all part of the University of Toronto, but
they merged into one to serve the ROM. Then UT and the ROM had what the
librarian described as an “amicable divorce” a few years ago. The ROM still
has electronic access to most online journals at UT, however. In the stacks in
back, compact shelving houses about 150,000 volumes. There is also an archival
collection, part of which is locked away and part of which is currently being
carefully preserved. (As I looked up at the low ceiling and old pipes, I asked
about a disaster plan and was told, “Don’t ask!”)
Access
is currently restricted to staff, UT faculty, and students in relevant UT
schools. Nonetheless, it was a very busy place while I was there. Though surely
libraries in such public places could better enhance the educational missions of
their institutions if they were more visible and accessible to a wider range of
patrons.
Return to Top
Boston Chapter Bulletin
