On January 1, Cathryn Copper joined the Daniels Faculty as head of the Eberhard Zeidler Library. The appointment marks a homecoming of sorts for the U of T alumna. It was here that Copper completed her graduate studies in library science, propelling her on to stints in California, Virginia and, now, her alma mater, where she’ll oversee the library’s 37,000-volume collection. In the interview below, Copper discusses her new role, her digital aspirations for the library, what she loves about Toronto and her latest book recommendations.

Welcome, Cathryn, to the Daniels Faculty!
Thank you!

Where were you prior to joining the Faculty?
Before this role I was the head of the Art and Architecture Library at Virginia Tech. I went to grad school here at the University of Toronto, where I completed my Master of Library and Information Science. While I was studying here, I did some internships with design think tanks in Toronto. I actually worked at the [now closed] Shore + Moffatt Library as a student employee.

After finishing my graduate degree, I went to work at the Woodbury School of Architecture in San Diego. I was there for about eight years. And then in 2018, I moved to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. And now I’m here. I've always been an architecture librarian throughout.

Why architecture?
It was while I was studying at U of T that I realized I wanted to work in architecture libraries. I just like working with the faculties and the students and seeing their projects.

What are some of the differences between the two universities you worked at previously and here?
The biggest thing that sticks out for me is that I feel like U of T deeply values its libraries. It has a big research culture and ecosystem. In all the previous places I've been at, the art or architecture library is the lone branch library. Here, there’s something like 42. And each of the libraries has its own autonomy and identity.

I've honestly never seen a system like this other than maybe Harvard or Yale. To have that big and intricate of a library system is pretty amazing.

Was there anything about Toronto itself that drew you back to the city?
Yes, definitely. What I learned about living in a rural area like Blacksburg is that you can have a big house and a beautiful yard, but you give up access to so many things, such as museums, culture, diversity … and good food!

It's just great to be back in a city again, to be inspired and immersed with all kinds of people doing exciting things. I think it brings a different energy to the work that you do.

Did you drive from Virginia to Toronto?
We did. It's usually about a 10-hour drive, but it took us three days because of the snow. Overall, it wasn’t that bad. We had to stay at some roadside hotels. It became a fun experience.

Were you driving a big U-Haul truck?
Yes! And it was filled mostly with my plants. I had to get them certified and inspected to bring them across the border. Some of them are a little cold-damaged, but they made it. I can’t wait to fill my office with plants.

The new head of the Eberhard Zeidler Library credits her studies and internship experience at U of T for instilling a love of architecture and libraries. (Photo by Gelek Badheytsang)

What do you think makes the Eberhard Zeidler Library special?
Architecture libraries are usually the most well-designed libraries on campus and that is especially true about the Eberhard Zeidler Library. It is a gorgeous space. You can tell it’s well integrated into the Daniels Faculty and appreciated by the community here. It’s a sanctuary for faculty and students to research, study and rejuvenate.

The physical collection here features more than 37,000 volumes — including periodicals and journals, maps, drawings and manuscripts — with a focus on contemporary architecture and design. There are also unique features like a special collections room that contains the collection of former dean George Baird and numerous other materials.

I’m still finding my way around the library, so there is a lot here that I look forward to exploring myself.

As we transition back into in-person learning, what are some of the health and safety measures that will be in place in the library?
We have reduced seating so that you can spread out in the library. We have semi-private spaces for people to use. We’re also making sure that everybody has a green UCheck screen before they enter. Beyond that, we’re trying to facilitate access as much as possible so that people can still get hold of the materials they would have at any other time.

What are you most excited about in the coming weeks and months?
Generally speaking, I feel like this is a really opportune moment to be starting a new position in libraries. There’s a renewed momentum around diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice in academia and everywhere else. I’m really excited about looking at the collections and resources we have here and figuring out how I can help develop them further through those lenses, in collaboration with the Daniels Faculty and Dean Juan Du, who seems equally passionate about these initiatives.

The pandemic also forced a lot of people to use electronic resources. That’s another thing that I’m excited to dive into. Creating a bigger digital presence for the library, highlighting e-resources and thinking about how to blend all of that are all very interesting and important challenges.

I’m also really looking forward to meeting everybody in person, getting to know the building, the students and learning about their projects and research interests. I think I'll spend a lot of time just doing that.

Any book recommendations?
I have two. First, New Chinese Architecture, which features our own Dean Du, among a select group of 20 female architects in China.

And the second, On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, by Timothy Snyder.

Thank you for the chat. And all the best!
Thank you! See you in the library.

Banner image: Copper looks ahead to a busy year reviewing the library’s collections, enhancing its digital presence and getting to know the Daniels Faculty community. (Photo by Gelek Badheytsang)