Simon Fraser University Library is excited to announce our innovative Community Scholars Program is expanding beyond British Columbia, enabling nonprofit organizations to access, use, and share research to build capacity and strengthen their impact. We’re thrilled to be working with McMaster University Library as our first Ontario partner!

Empowering and supporting access to information since 2017

The Community Scholars Program began at SFU Library in 2017 as a unique program designed to support researchers and practitioners in nonprofit organizations across the province with their research and information needs. Led by librarian Heather De Forest, the program works with academic publishers to provide access to scholarly publications that would otherwise be paywalled, enabling employees in nonprofits to review case studies, access current research, and make evidence-informed decisions about their programs and services.

Participating scholars are also able to consult with librarians on research projects or information questions, attend customized workshops, and access other services.

These supports and resources are invaluable for nonprofit organizations who often act as changemakers, both by delivering critical services and programming and by generating actionable knowledge that can shift policy and contribute to community well-being. 

"Non-profit organizations are the engines for social change and drive meaningful work to address our communities' pressing urban issues,” shared Joanne Nellas, the Programs Manager at CityHive and a Community Scholar. 

CityHive organizes youth-led and youth-run programs, with the goal to transform the way that young people are engaged in shaping their cities and communities. The Community Scholars Program enabled Nellas and her colleagues to synthesize existing research on youth leadership and to develop an openly shared toolkit of best practices for youth engagement programs.

Another Community Scholar, Sarah Wright, is a program lead for Ending Violence Association of BC, a member organization that supports, trains, and advocates for anti-violence programs that respond to gender-based violence, harassment, and hate. Participating in the Community Scholars Program recently enabled her to build training around an anti-racist practice for anti-violence work. 

“Having access to this research has enhanced my work and supported in keeping it current,” she shared. “I’ve also been able to share this knowledge with coworkers, reducing barriers across our organization. I know our work is better for it – and now I don’t have to limit myself to only articles published without a paywall!”

Expanding across BC and beyond

Since its inception, the program has grown to include partner institutions across the province, including Vancouver Island University Library, University of Northern British Columbia Library, University of British Columbia Library, Kwantlen Polytechnic University Library, and University of the Fraser Valley Library. Collaborators at these institutions are now positioned to provide localized support to scholars and practitioners in nonprofits in their communities. 

For the coming phase of expansion, the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN) provided critical support, including working with SFU Library and our academic publishing partners to expand eligibility across the country.

Partnering with McMaster University Library

Now, McMaster University Library is joining the Community Scholars Program as the first Ontario partner. As the program phases up over the next few years, McMaster University Library will act as the Ontario hub, leading other university libraries in Ontario in engaging their local communities with this program.

“Providing access to the latest journal articles and e-books for our non-profit community partners will support the important work, from program creation to policy-making, happening right here in Hamilton and beyond,” said Vivian Lewis, Associate Vice-President and University Librarian at McMaster. “McMaster University Library is proud to be the first Ontario partner for this visionary program led by our colleagues at Simon Fraser University Library.”

Increasing support for Indigenous organizations

CRKN’s support also enabled the Community Scholars Program to expand eligibility in another crucial area: for employees of Indigenous communities, collectives, and organizations. 

Formerly, only registered nonprofits were eligible for the program; this increased eligibility recognizes that some Indigenous groups do not have, or may not want, nonprofit status, while offering opportunities for concrete support and access to scholarly resources.

Looking forward

“At SFU Library, we are immensely proud of the Community Scholars Program,” shared Gwen Bird, Dean of Libraries at SFU Library, reflecting on the program’s growth through the years. 

She added: “We are eager to share this successful model with colleagues and community groups beyond BC.” 

As this new phase of the Community Scholars Program launches, this innovative support program will extend across the country, striving to connect employees in nonprofits and Indigenous organizations with information and scholarly resources they need.