Bio
Brief Bio
Hi, My name is Ben Walsh. I’m a librarian at the University of Toronto where I specialize in English literature, drama, theatre, and performance studies. You can check out my Department of English profile or Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies profile to learn more how I support these academic communities. I’m also an occasional graduate instructor in my University’s Faculty of Information.
Before my life as a librarian, I sold books at some of the cities best/most beloved bookstores (see below), led literary tours (mostly in India), and spent a couple seasons on stage at the Stratford Festival. Spear carriers unite!
I also write short fiction (yet unpublished) and make quilt-like objects.
ChatGPT Generated Bio
Ben Walsh is a librarian at the University of Toronto, where he supports teaching, learning, and research across the university community. His work focuses on helping students and faculty navigate academic resources, develop strong research skills, and engage critically with information in a rapidly changing scholarly environment.
Ben is particularly interested in information literacy, digital research tools, and improving access to library services. He collaborates with instructors and campus partners to design research support that is inclusive, practical, and responsive to students’ needs.
He is committed to the role of libraries as spaces for inquiry, collaboration, and lifelong learning, and he enjoys working at the intersection of scholarship, technology, and public service.
CV
Education
2012 - 2014 Master of Information, Library and Information Science, Thesis Stream
Faculty of Information | University of Toronto
2002 - 2006 Bachelor of Arts
School of English and Theatre Studies | University of Guelph
Library
2024 - Librarian - English, Drama, Theatre, & Performance Studies
Robarts Library | University of Toronto
2017 - 2024 Librarian - English, Psychology
Robarts Library | University of Toronto
2016 - 2017 Librarian - Aerospace, Civil Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science Library | University of Toronto
Teaching
2019 - present Sessional Instructor - INF1325 Online Information Retrieval
Faculty of Information | University of Toronto
Other Work
2012 - 2013 Co-Owner
Glad Day Bookshop | Toronto
2008 - 2013 Literary Tour Leader and Tour Designer
Books Abroad | Going Places Together | Toronto
2007 - 2012 Programming Coordinator and Event Host
Nicholas Hoare Books | Toronto
2005 - 2016 Bookseller
With stints at Nichoals Hoare, This Ain’t the Rosedale Library, TYPE Books, & Book City
Memberships
2018 - present International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA)
2013 - 2025 Ontario Library Association (OLA) - Resigned
Awards
2017 - 2018 Chief Librarian’s Innovation Grant, University of Toronto
2020 - 2021 Chief Librarian’s Innovation Grant, University of Toronto
2022 - 2023 Chief Librarian’s Innovation Grant, University of Toronto