The Brock University Library has recently joined the Community Scholars Program to expand support for non-profit and charitable organizations in building capacity and enhancing community impact.
Many non-profits across Canada address complex social issues but often lack access to academic journals and e-books unless they are affiliated with a university. The Community Scholars Program, led nationally by Simon Fraser University Library and in Ontario by McMaster University Libraries, bridges this gap by offering these organizations free access to thousands of peer-reviewed resources.
Brock University Teaching and Learning Librarian Vanja Stojanovic will support eligible community organizations with accessing free academic resources available through the Community Scholars Program, a national initiative that the Brock Library recently joined.
By becoming a member of the national network, Brock is helping to connect eligible organizations with the free academic resources available through the program. It includes more than 20,000 online journal titles and e-books on topics such as housing and food insecurity, mental health, sustainability and social justice.
"This innovative program enables community scholars to access academic content that would otherwise be restricted by paywalls," said University Librarian Nicole Nolan. "We are thrilled to help meet the information needs of community researchers across the Niagara region."
The Brock Library's partnership extends the overall reach of the program by providing access to the specialized digital library to organizations within St. Catharines and the Niagara region.
The curated collection is accessible through a dedicated online portal, making it easy for local organizations to search for and read published research anywhere they have an internet connection.
To assist with using the digital library, Brock Teaching and Learning Librarian Vanja Stojanovic also offers direct support to participating organizations by providing guidance on search techniques, assessing the quality of research and organizing it effectively.
The program is open to the staff of registered non-profits and charities (excluding governmental non-profits), and Indigenous organizations, services, collectives, or grassroots initiatives in sectors such as social and legal services, the arts, human rights and social justice, housing, physical and mental health, sustainability, conservation and more.
These Community Scholars use evidence-based insights to strengthen programs, inform policy decisions, secure funding and develop innovative community solutions.
"This initiative aims to remove barriers and foster informed advocacy and knowledge sharing for the public good," says Associate Director of Community Relations Tanya Bradley. "By pairing no-cost access to research with support from our University librarians, we also support the sustainable development of our campus and surrounding communities through collaboration and ongoing partnerships."
For more information about the program or how to become a Community Scholar, visit the Brock Library's Community Scholars Program page or contact Vanja Stojanovic at vstojanovic@brocku.ca
