A new initiative undertaken by the Bata Library will see 250,000 books donated to the Internet Archive to be digitized and preserved for easy access by all students and future generations as part of the transformation of Trent University’s iconic library into a true library of the future.

The Open Libraries project with the Internet Archive allows the University to make more space for innovative new spaces and technologies in the refurbished Bata Library, opening this fall.

“Trent is extremely pleased to partner with the Internet Archive to share and preserve an important part of the Bata Library’s rich print collections,” notes Robert Clarke, university librarian. “Our participation in the Open Libraries initiative is just the latest example of Trent’s innovative, collaborative approach to the global dissemination of knowledge through advanced digital technologies.”

The donation of books for digitization will allow Trent University students and faculty to continue to have access to resources once held at the Bata Library and at the same time provide access to readers worldwide through the Open Libraries controlled lending program.

“We are pleased to partner with Trent University on this fantastic donation,” says Chris Freeland, director of Open Libraries. “These materials will help round out our research collections, and while they may have had limited circulation in physical form, our experience shows that these books will find new audiences once they have been made easily discoverable and usable online.”

“It has been a pleasure working with the staff at Trent University,” adds Andrea Mills, digitization program manager, Internet Archive Canada. “Our goals are truly aligned in bringing the library into the digital space and sharing these books with readers around the world.”

Opening this fall, the transformed Bata Library will include an entrepreneurship and social innovation centre, visualization labs, research centres, makerspace, interactive student spaces, a living wall, and much more. Visit our photo gallery for a sneak peek at features and progress.