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In 1962, Thomas Shanks McPherson left a generous bequest to the University of Victoria that helped to build the original McPherson Library. And more recently, a donation from the family of William C. Mearns funded the development of the William C. Mearns Centre for Learning which officially opened in May 2008.
From the library's humble beginning at Victoria College with one full-time staff member, we have grown from 10,000 volumes in 1952 to today's 1.6 million volumes, with an additional 1.9 million items in microform. We have subscriptions to 12,000 current periodicals including 2,600 e-journals. The Bessie Brooks Winspear Music and Media Commons currently holds 49,000 records, tapes and CDs; 32,000 scores; and 6,500 films & videos. We now have 137 staff, including 26 full-time librarians.
The expansion of the McPherson Library in 2008 would not have been possible with out the significant support of the following generous people:
Dr. Che Woo Lui
Founder and Chairman of the K. Wah Group of construction companies and hotels in Hong Kong, is a distinguished philanthropist who donated in 2001 $1 million to the library expansion project. The C.W. Lui Learning Commons, located on the first floor of the Mearns Centre, is a collaborative space where students can receive tutoring in research and writing skills, as well as math, statistics, chemistry, physics and astronomy help.
Dr. Allan Yap & Elsa Yap
A Vancouver couple, are honorary patrons of the Asia Partners Fund at UVic and donated $1 million to the library expansion project in 2000. The Allan and Elsa Yap Classroom, located on the first floor of the Mearns Centre, is a fully equipped library-research teaching space with 28 computer work stations.
Russell Isaac
A Victoria College graduate, has been a steady supporter of campus projects and made a $250,000 donation to the library expansion project. The Russell Isaac Room, located in the Bessie Brooks Winspear Music and Media Commons, is equipped with audio and video equipment for reveiwing course-related materials.
Howard Li
A Vancouver-based philanthropist, donated to the library expansion campaign in 1999. His gracious gift honors his parents through the naming of the Mr. Shu-Fong Li & Mrs. Wan-Yuet-Yung Seminar Room on the lower level. It is a wireless classroom designed primarily for those using materials from the Archives and Special Collections.
Dr. Leo Lee
A business man and philanthropist in Hong Kong, has been active in charitable welfare and the promotion of cultural exchange. He gave a major gift to the library expansion campaign. The Dr. Leo Tung Hai Lee room will house a reception area to be used for exhibit openings and special events when built in the near future next to Archives and Special Collections. It will be adjacent as well to the McPherson Gallery when the gallery is relocated to the lower level of the Mearns Centre in 2010.
Architects of Collections
Our library has received some incredible gifts that have greatly enhanced the collection. Some of our donors have built entire collections through multiple donations to the UVic Library or have donated collections they built through a lifetime of collecting. And, others have supported us through establishing endowments that assist us with the strategic building of our colleciton. We thank you, our Architects of Collections, for your gracious generosity.
Professor Roger Bishop
Dr. Bruce and Mrs. Dorothy Brown - Brown Collection
Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association
Mr. Ivor Burrows
Mr. John A. Di Castri
Dr. Gwladys Downes
Mr. Cyril Fox - C.J. Fox Collection
Mr. Jim and Mrs. Doreen Rainer
Ms. Rikki Swin
A business man and philanthropist in Hong Kong, has been active in charitable welfare and the promotion of cultural exchange. He gave a major gift to the library expansion campaign. The Dr. Leo Tung Hai Lee room will house a reception area to be used for exhibit openings and special events when built in the near future next to Archives and Special Collections. It will be adjacent as well to the McPherson Gallery when the gallery is relocated to the lower level of the Mearns Centre in 2010.
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c. New Collections
8d. Friends of the Library M
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