Blog Archives

McGill’s John Peters Humphrey’s legacy work, original draft of Declaration of Human Rights, featured at Canadian Museum of Human Rights Grand Opening & exhibit

Detail from Humphreys handwritten draft of the original Declaration of Human Rights

By: Lori Podolsky, Acting University Archivist, McGill University Archives In Winnipeg, on Friday, September 20th, 2014, the Canadian Museum of Human Rights (CMHR) opens its doors up to the world. McGill University Archives (MUA) is honoured to play a small …

McGill’s John Peters Humphrey’s legacy work, original draft of Declaration of Human Rights, featured at Canadian Museum of Human Rights Grand Opening & exhibit Read More »

Canadian War Poster Collection featured in upcoming Friends talk given by Professor Emeritus Desmond Morton

The McGill Friends of the Library is a not-for-profit organization of McGill Library advocates.  Founded in the late 1980’s by a group of loyal Library supporters and benefactors, its mission is to nurture community interest in the Library, build awareness …

Canadian War Poster Collection featured in upcoming Friends talk given by Professor Emeritus Desmond Morton Read More »

McGill’s Chapbook Collection: Discover tiny treasures online or on-site

The history of Whittington and his cat. London : Ryle and Co., [between 1846 and 1859]

Some are the size of a “stickie note” while others fit into the palm of your hand. All are small, rare, materials that make up McGill Library’s Chapbooks Collection.  What are chapbooks? Chapbooks are small in size and number of …

McGill’s Chapbook Collection: Discover tiny treasures online or on-site Read More »

The Status of Women at McGill in 1931

Drawing of a woman reading. Old McGill, 1931.

International Women’s Day is on March 8th. The theme for 2014 is Inspiring Change. To quote the site: Women’s equality has made positive gains but the world is still unequal. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of …

The Status of Women at McGill in 1931 Read More »

Fontanus, Vol 13 (2013) now available online

Fontanus cover excerpt

  “Founded in 1988, Fontanus: from the collections of McGill University, was conceived as an annual scholarly journal edited and produced by McGill Librarians. The primary purpose of Fontanus is to showcase the University Library’s extensive rare and special collections through in-depth …

Fontanus, Vol 13 (2013) now available online Read More »

McGill Library and Archives Fun Facts

Info graphic - detail

World War I remembered

No. 3 Hospital

Over the course of World War I, 3,059 McGill men enlisted in the active forces. Of those, 363 lost their lives and 791 decorations were awarded, including two Victoria Crosses. Women, not eligible for the active forces, also contributed in …

World War I remembered Read More »

The digital revolution

Flat bed scanner

Digitization is changing how students, academics and the general public interact with materials stored in the McGill Library. About 25% of these rare holdings are unique items that deserve to made more accessible to a wider audience. McGill is now …

The digital revolution Read More »

Halloween DIY

Do you love DIY projects? Attending a Halloween party this weekend? Why not tackle a recipe or two from How to Make Candy.* Published in 1932 and written by Walter W. Chenoweth, Professor of Horticultural Manufactures and Head of the …

Halloween DIY Read More »

New Digital Chapbook Collection

Nursery rhymes, riddles, ballads, traditional poems and songs for young and old alike – all at the touch of a button. The Rare Books and Special Collections Library at McGill University contains over nine hundred British and American chapbooks published …

New Digital Chapbook Collection Read More »


Library Matters seeks to exchange and encourage ideas, innovations, and information from libraries' staff and special contributors for the McGill community and beyond.


Contact Us!

If you have any questions, comments, or even an idea for a story, let us know!