Brock University will soon have a new University Librarian. Mark Robertson, who is Associate University Librarian, Information Services at York University, takes up his new position at Brock effective Aug. 1.

Mark Robertson

Robertson graduated from McMaster with a Master’s degree in philosophy, and in 1997 from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Information Studies with a Master of Information Studies. He was a librarian for three years with the AIDS Committee of Toronto before joining York in 1999, where he was the psychology and philosophy librarian before taking his current role in 2008.

Robertson said he is thrilled to be joining Brock.

“I have been enormously impressed by the dedication and creativity of the staff and librarians at the Brock Library,” he said. “From the moment I stepped foot in the Library, it was evident to me how well loved it is by the Brock community.

“Beyond being catalysts for student success, faculty research and cultural stewardship, there are many new and exciting ways that libraries can serve to enrich the whole campus. I look forward to building on the great work of the Library.”

While at York, Robertson founded its Learning Commons, helped create the award-winning SPARK open educational resource, led a major renovation and redesign of York’s Scott Library and helped develop two strategic plans for York University Libraries. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Leadership Fellows program and was a Visiting Program Officer at ARL in 2015-16.

The announcement was made by Acting Provost Greg Finn, and follows a search process of several months by an advisory committee of librarians, university staff, students and members of the wider Brock community.

Finn thanked the advisory committee as well as Interim University Librarian Jonathan Younker, who will return to his position as Head, Library Systems and Technology.