Catalogue with Omni search tool coming to McMaster libraries

A photo of Thode Library on McMaster University's campus. There is a light dusting of snow on the ground and a tree in front of the building is bare. A person is walking towards the building. Their back is to the camera and their face is not visible.

With access to a vast collection of high-quality research resources, the new system will make it easier for students and user to broaden the scope of their research projects and reach their research goals.


McMaster’s libraries are introducing a new catalogue with an academic search tool that connects it to 17 other university libraries.

Omni, which will be part of a new library services platform at McMaster, is set to go live in summer 2022.

“We look forward to offering this valuable academic search tool to the McMaster community,” says Vivian Lewis, McMaster University Librarian. “We expect this will become an important asset to everyone here at the university.”

Omni’s introducution will offer a better experience for users, adds Jennifer McKinnell, director of McMaster’s Health Sciences Library.

“We are pleased to offer expanded resources through Omni that will further support research excellence here at McMaster.”

Omni will replace the current catalogue, providing direct access to McMaster’s local collections and streamlined access to a vast collection of high-quality academic research resources across the partnership.

Users will be able to broaden the scope of their research projects and reach their research goals.

The search tool is one outcome of the Ontario Council of University Libraries’ Collaborative Futures project, which seeks to develop a shared vision of future access to library resources across Ontario’s academic libraries – a vision that articulates new possibilities and builds on a decade-long history of collaboration and cooperation.

“Collaboration is key to Ontario’s academic libraries successfully meeting challenges like rapid developments in information technology and limited resources,” says Michael Vandenburg, interim executive director of the council. “We are excited to see McMaster join this project and work alongside other academic library teams in the province.”

Other participating university libraries include:

  • Algoma University
  • Brock University
  • Carleton University
  • University of Guelph
  • Lakehead University
  • Laurentian University
  • Nipissing University
  • OCAD University
  • University of Ontario Institute of Technology
  • University of Ottawa
  • Queen’s University
  • Trent University
  • University of Waterloo
  • Western University
  • Wilfrid Laurier University
  • University of Windsor
  • York University

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