Blog Archives

McGillians Then and Now

This year, for the first time in McGill’s almost 200-year history, convocation ceremonies will be held virtually, with a second convocation, an in-person academic procession and ceremony, in 2021. Until then, to celebrate this exceptional Class of 2020, we thought …

McGillians Then and Now Read More »

Elizabeth Gwillim’s Botanical Networks

‘… [A]fter learning a little Botany it seems almost impossible to stop.’ (Elizabeth Gwillim, 1805) The Gwillim Project, funded through a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, began in May 2019. It focuses on the unique paintings …

Elizabeth Gwillim’s Botanical Networks Read More »

The “Her Natural History” Social Media Campaign: Highlighting female contributions to biodiversity research

From collecting specimens and serving as scientific illustrators to conducting and publishing research, authoring natural history books, and more, women have overcome many social and cultural obstacles and gender barriers to help further our understanding of the natural world. Biodiversity …

The “Her Natural History” Social Media Campaign: Highlighting female contributions to biodiversity research Read More »

Gardening in difficult times

Social distancing has made me long for two things: the company of other people, and time outside in nature. In the last month or so, I have started seedlings and am planning to plant a small balcony garden near the …

Gardening in difficult times Read More »

1st Edition – ROAAr Monthly Screen Share

1st Edition – ROAAr Monthly Screen Share:  Spring cleaning your digital desktop? Why not try a new screensaver! ROAAr invites you to check LibraryMatters regularly to download a high-quality image from our free monthly screen-share. We invite you to use it …

1st Edition – ROAAr Monthly Screen Share Read More »

#Quarantunes: a ROAAr staff selection

Many, many (like a thousand) years ago, when I was a very anxious university student, I got the idea to make mix-CDs for people. It seemed like it would make for a nice distraction. I posted an anonymous ad online, …

#Quarantunes: a ROAAr staff selection Read More »

The Literary Ritual of Conundrum Suppers

Shakespeare added thousands of words to the English language, wrote both drama and poetry, and even bought himself a noble title! But was he a riddler? Apparently, literature and riddles have always been related.[1] As The Riddle Project dove into …

The Literary Ritual of Conundrum Suppers Read More »

Zoom Backgrounds | McGill Library & More

Birks Windows

Secret study spots, sun-lit nooks, silence in the stacks – we miss it all. Most of all, we miss seeing our users. So we created some library-themed and campus Zoom backgrounds to help the community feel connected while working remotely …

Zoom Backgrounds | McGill Library & More Read More »

Dress the Part! The Costumes of Conundrum Suppers

Oswego Palladium. October 28 1919.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Protestant Churches would often host fundraising events called Conundrum Suppers. At these events, guests would order from menus entirely composed of riddles! Yet riddling menus were not the only entertainment. Performances and …

Dress the Part! The Costumes of Conundrum Suppers Read More »

The Biblical Business of Riddling Repas

In many ways, the history of the riddle is the history of the Bible.[1] Riddles are scattered throughout both the Old and New Testaments, present in some of the most well-known stories, such as the riddle Samson told at his …

The Biblical Business of Riddling Repas 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!