OCUL’s virtual reference service is marking a major milestone and a new name. Ask the Library / Biblio-Clavardage, which connects students and researchers at participating OCUL institutions with real-time help over chat or text message, celebrates its 15th anniversary this September.

The latest post in our AI Tools for Academic Libraries blog series highlights some of the open-weight AI models that can be alternatives to the familiar commercial frontier tools like ChatGPT or Claude that often raise concerns about privacy, transparency, and equity. For libraries, open-weight models provide greater control over data and AI environments for better alignment with professional commitments to intellectual freedom and access to information.

Curious how Microsoft Copilot can support the development of students’ essential research, critical thinking, and scholarly communication skills? Join the Oct. 7 OCUL AI Exchange to learn how AI can be used as a tool for critical evaluation rather than a replacement for undergraduate research and writing processes.

The September installment of OCUL’s Beyond the Algorithm Reading Club explores trust and AI. Read the month’s curated article, watch a conversation with AI expert Dr. Jessie Hall, and sign up for one of two community discussions to reflect on whether and when AI systems should be trusted.

Academic libraries are continually looking for ways to respond to diverse research needs while stretching collection budgets. The OCUL shared evidence-based acquisitions program, helmed by a small working group of volunteers from OCUL member libraries, demonstrates how collaborative collection development can help achieve this goal.

OCUL is now accepting proposals for its New Initiatives Fund, for projects to begin in 2027. The fund supports high-impact projects that advance OCUL's strategic priorities and widely benefit Ontario university libraries. Eligible OCUL groups and partners are invited to submit proposals by September 15, 2026.

The 2026 Collaborative Futures Mini Conference brought together nearly 200 attendees for a morning of engaging presentations and now the conference recording is available to watch online.

In a move to strengthen Canada’s open scholarly infrastructure, Coalition Publica, OCUL, and the University of Toronto Libraries, as the service provider for Scholars Portal, have jointly entered into a new agreement. This memorandum of understanding formalizes their longstanding collaboration and leverages expertise to advance the long-term preservation of open research in Canada. 

Beyond the Algorithm is taking a summer vacation! The reading club will be back in September but in the meantime, our AI and Machine Learning Program Manager Kari D. Weaver compiled a short list of AI reads for the warmer months, including a toolkit for values-driven artificial intelligence in libraries and archives.