Goals and Vision: Library Renewal

The Library Space Renewal Project will strengthen the Waterloo Library as a user-centred destination that supports study, research, and campus life. 

Through a phased revitalization of the building, the project will create modern spaces for individual and group study, collaborative work, programming, and technology-enabled learning, while also improving accessibility and upgrading key amenities such as washrooms, flooring, and furniture. 

In support of the Library’s long-term space strategy, the renewed Library will offer flexible environments that support diverse learning styles while continuing to provide access to collections, Library programming, and academic support. 

Phase One: October 2026

The first phase of this project will begin in October 2026. The outcome will establish a new home for the Faculty of Education on the seventh floor, creating new opportunities for collaboration. 

As part of this phase, books, journals, and other resources on seventh floors will be reviewed and reorganized, with some remaining on site and others eventually being relocated to a new off-campus storage facility at One Market in Brantford, where they will be accessible through existing delivery services (Omni requests, Scan-on-Demand, and Mail-on-Demand). 

Work will be completed in phases to minimize disruption, prioritizing study seating capacity throughout the project. 

Future Phases

Future project phases will involve work on Floors 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Waterloo Library. Once complete, the Library Space Renewal Project is expected to increase student seating by up to 10 per cent, with a wider range of individual and group study options.