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Western Libraries Unclaimed

Libraries

help.lib.uwo.ca

London, Ontario, Canada

Western Libraries is Western University’s library system providing access to collections, research support, and user services.

Western Libraries is the library system of Western University, providing access to catalogued collections, research support, visiting libraries, events, and account services to support teaching, learning and research for students, faculty and staff.

Western Libraries supports teaching, learning, and research by delivering comprehensive information resources, guidance, and services to the university community.

What we offer

Catalogue & Collections

Service

Facilitates easy access to a vast array of library materials and resources.

www.lib.uwo.ca/catalogue/index.html

Research Support

Service

Provides expert guidance to enhance research capabilities and access to essential resources.

www.lib.uwo.ca/research/index.html

Visit Us

Service

Easily visit our libraries for in-person support and resources.

www.lib.uwo.ca/libraries/index.html

Events

Service

Experience diverse events that support research and community engagement.

www.lib.uwo.ca/events/index.html

My Library Account

Service

Easily manage library loans, renewals, and fines through a personalized account.

www.lib.uwo.ca/mylibraryaccount

Contact

Service

Easily reach library staff for assistance and inquiries.

www.lib.uwo.ca/contact/index.html

Market segments

Market size by segment

Growth potential (CAGR)

Discovery and access

18.82 Billion USD16.92% CAGR

Capabilities that enable discovery, search and access of library collections, catalogs, databases and online resources to support user retrieval and navigation.

Academic Library and Research Services

25 Billion USD3.5% CAGR

Access to scholarly resources, research support, and interlibrary services that enable student and faculty research and learning.

Circulation and account management

0.9 Billion USD6% CAGR

Functions that manage patron borrowing lifecycle and account administration, including loan management, renewals, fine payment and borrowing policies.

Community engagement and events

1500 Billion USD11.3% CAGR

Design and execution of community outreach programs and events to engage donors, volunteers, partners, and local stakeholders and measure outreach impact.

More information about our offering

Catalogue & Collections

Access to Western Libraries' catalog and collections, enabling users to search and locate items across the library's holdings.

  • Convenient Borrowing Process
    Students and staff can easily borrow items, with resources to manage their loans through the My Library Account system.
  • Access E-Books Quickly
    Users can access e-books through the library's catalog, ensuring a comprehensive collection is available for research and learning.
  • Get Research Support
    Users can find guidance on research methodologies and citation styles, enhancing their academic efforts.
  • Access Resources Remotely
    Off-campus access allows users to utilize library materials and databases from anywhere, enhancing flexibility in research.
  • Participate in Display Events
    Users can request display spaces to highlight relevant curriculum topics or library services, fostering community engagement.

Research Support

Guidance and assistance for research, including locating sources and using library research tools.

  • Connect With Librarians
    Engage with expert librarians who can provide tailored advice on research methodologies and resource selection, ensuring you have access to the right tools for successful research.
  • Utilize Diverse Resources
    Gain access to a multitude of academic journals, articles, and studies across various disciplines for in-depth information gathering.
  • Cite Correctly
    Receive guidance on appropriate citation styles, ensuring that your work adheres to academic standards and enhances its credibility.
  • Enhance Your Skills
    Participate in workshops offering practical training on effective research techniques and library tool usage, boosting your academic performance.

Visit Us

On-site library locations and access to in-person services.

  • Access Physical Library Locations
    Explore different library locations on campus to access a wide range of physical resources and facilities.
  • Utilize In-Person Assistance
    Engage with library staff who provide guidance and support for research, borrowing, and library services.
  • Participate in Library Events
    Attend various events organized by the library to improve your research skills and connect with peers.

Events

Public programs and events hosted by Western Libraries.

  • Foster Community Connections
    Join various activities and programs that enhance community interaction and awareness while supporting research initiatives.
  • Enhance Research Skills
    Participate in workshops focused on improving students' and researchers' skills in information literacy, citation styles, and academic writing.
  • Access Expert Knowledge
    Attend lectures by guest speakers who offer new perspectives and insights into various disciplines and contemporary issues.
  • Celebrate Diversity
    Engage in cultural events that showcase diversity within the university's community, fostering inclusivity and understanding among participants.

My Library Account

My Library Account allows users to manage their personal library loans, track due dates, renew items, and pay fines all in one convenient dashboard.

  • Track Your Loans
    Stay informed about due dates and manage your borrowed items effectively.
  • Renew Items Easily
    Easily extend your borrowing period without visiting the library.
  • Pay Fines Online
    Quickly settle any outstanding charges without hassle.
  • View Account Status
    Keep track of your borrowing history and current account status at a glance.

Contact

Contact information and channels to reach library staff.

  • Email Library Staff
    Direct access to library support through email allows users to ask questions and receive detailed responses effectively.
  • Access Librarian Help
    Users can fill out a form to get tailored assistance from library experts.
  • Call Library Departments
    Users can call specific departments directly to resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
  • Text Library Staff
    Convenient messaging service to contact library staff for immediate queries.

References

Methodology and sourcing behind the figures shown above.

Discovery and access

Used recent market reports for ‘data discovery’ / search & discovery software as proxies for the broader “discovery and access” segment. Mordor Intelligence provides a 2026 market size of USD 18.82B and a 16.92% CAGR (2026–2031); Spherical Insights projects growth from USD 7.50B (2021) to USD 20.03B (2030) at 15.6% CAGR; MarketResearchIntellect (via LinkedIn summary) reports a separate search & discovery estimate of USD 3.89B (2025) with ~11.2% CAGR to 2035. I selected Mordor’s 2026 estimate (USD 18.82B) and its 16.92% CAGR as the primary quantitative proxy, noting that library-focused discovery/access is a narrower subsegment of these broader markets.

Academic Library and Research Services

Search results show narrow subsegments: library management software (~$0.68B in 2024; MRFR) and library automation systems (~$1.25B in 2026; BRI). Those software/automation figures represent a small portion of total academic library spend (systems, e-resources, collections, staffing, facilities, and research support). Assuming software/automation are ~3–5% of overall academic library and research services expenditures, the implied global market range is roughly $14–42B; midpoint used for estimate: $25.0B. Growth potential is modest (estimated CAGR ~3.5%), informed by subsegment CAGRs (3.1%–7.9%) and typical public/education funding trends favoring steady low-to-moderate growth in services and digital transformation.

Circulation and account management

No direct market-size data for library circulation/account-management was present in the supplied results. I estimated a small niche value (≈$0.9B global) because circulation and account-management are a narrow subsegment of library automation/ILS and of broader SaaS/edtech spending. Growth is moderate (~6% CAGR) driven by ongoing SaaS/cloud migration, modest library budgets, and incremental feature upgrades (renewals, fines, mobile patron services). To bound the estimate I used large SaaS and adjacent niche software market figures from the results as context (very large SaaS TAM; smaller specialized software markets under $1B to low tens of billions), and chose a conservative, mid-single-digit CAGR reflecting steady but budget-constrained adoption in public, academic, and special libraries.

Community engagement and events

Primary estimate uses Persistence Market Research’s Event Management Services market valuation (US$1.5 trillion in 2026) as a proxy for the design-and-execution portion of community outreach and events. The projected CAGR (11.3%) is taken from the same PMR forecast. Community-engagement software/platform subsegments (Future Market Insights, Market Research Future) are materially smaller (single- to double-digit billions) but show higher software-specific growth, indicating the overall service-driven events market dominates total spend while software/platforms grow faster as enabling technology.

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