The Imagine Canada — John Hodgson Library serves the nonprofit, voluntary and charitable sector in Canada by providing access and helping to build the sector's collective knowledge base.

Our bilingual, online library houses over 7,000 titles representing the most current works on philanthropy, voluntary action, civil society, corporate citizenship (CSR), fundraising, capacity-building, public policy and nonprofit research in Canada. Over 80% of our current titles are available in downloadable formats (free) from our online library catalogue.

Professional library staff provide free reference services by email, by phone and in person. The library is open to the public, by appointment, at our location in downtown Toronto.

• Hours and Location
• Online Library Tours
• Services
• Information Requests
• FAQ
• History

Hours and Location

Hours: Monday to Thursday between 10-4, by appointment only.

The library is located in the Toronto offices of Imagine Canada. To make an appointment, please contact us at libraryreference@imaginecanada.ca. or telephone us at 416 597-2293 x255 (toll-free at 800 263-1178 x255). To submit an information request, please visit the Online Librarian or email us at libraryreference@imaginecanada.ca

Mailing address

Imagine Canada — John Hodgson Library
2 Carlton Street, Suite 600
Toronto ON M5B 1J3
Tel: 416 597-2293 x255
Toll free: 1-800 263-1176 x255
Fax: 416 597-1169
E-mail: library@imaginecanada.ca

Online Library Tour

Learn how to get the most out of our site
We are now offering Online Library Tours, every other Thursday at 2 p.m. (see schedule below). These presentations are designed to help you get the most out of our information rich site and learn some techniques for using our catalogue for independent research. Each presentation will be around 45 minutes long. The visual aspect of the presentation is held online (you will need a computer with high speed internet component.) Audio is transmitted via the phone line, you will simply dial in with the number provided. Please pre-register, spots are limited and available on a first come first served basis. If you have a large group of individuals who would like to participate, please let us know. To register contact the library at libraryreference@imaginecanada.ca

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Services

Collections

Our collections emphasize non-commercial Canadian resources on philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, voluntary action, corporate responsibility, and works related to charitable giving and volunteering. Included are publications that discuss the impact of government policies and funding upon the sector and the legal and tax implications of federal regulation and legislation. Voluntarism, works on capacity building, and the revenue generating activities of nonprofit organizations are covered, as well as trends in research and research methodology.

International resources issued by individuals, agencies or organizations, both public and private, working in the charitable and voluntary sector may also be included on a title-by-title basis.

Online library catalogue

This library catalogue provides access to over 7,000 titles on subjects of interest to the nonprofit and charitable sector in Canada. 83% of current resources (published in the last 5 years) are available in downloadable PDF or HTML formats. Collectively, this constitutes a remarkable nonprofit sector knowledge base. The library catalogue can be easily searched, providing access by author, title, subject, keyword, and date of publication. Search the entire catalogue or limit your search to online resources. Numerous user guides are available to help guide your research. This authoritative database is updated monthly.

Audience

Our audience includes visitors to Imagine Canada, Imagine Canada members, board and staff, as well as individuals, researchers and students, the media, charitable and voluntary organizations, and the corporations, foundations, and agencies across Canada that support them.

Information requests

The library is able to respond to most information requests within 1-2 weeks (we always appreciate knowing if your request is time-bound). For more complex questions or more detailed assistance, send an e-mail to the Online Librarian. Before making a request, we suggest you look at the online library catalogue, or browse the library's resource guides and special collections. 

Library staff can assist you with your research strategy but cannot do your research for you! If library staff are not able to offer you the assistance you seek, we will endeavor to refer you to an appropriate information source or direct you to locally available library services.

FAQ

Can I visit the library?

Yes. The Imagine Canada — John Hodgson Library is open to visitors by appointment from Monday to Thursday between 10 am and 4 pm.

Can I check out books?

No. The library does not lend out materials at this time. We are happy to assist you locating materials through your local library network or through the National Library and Archive's interlibrary loan (ILL) program.

Can I make copies of library materials?

Yes. Equipment for photocopying materials is available at the library. Library visitors are reminded to observe the federal laws regarding unauthorized duplication of copyrighted materials and software.

Do you sell books at the library?

No. For print titles listed in Imagine Canada's publications catalog, please visit the Imagine Canada Store. You can also find addresses and phone numbers for most commercial publishers in Books in Print, available at most public libraries and bookstores.

Are there fees?

Access to the library is free. Nominal fees are charged for copying and printing materials: $.25 per page for photocopies and computer printouts. Cash payment is required. Payment is collected at the end of each visit, and receipts are issued.

Can I order periodical articles?

No. To order copies of articles or back issues of periodicals, you will need to contact the publisher directly.

Can I use the Canadian Directory to Foundations and Corporations?

The Canadian Directory to Foundations and Corporations, also known as the Directory Online, is the searchable funding source database produced by Imagine Canada. You may access the Directory Online from the library, by appointment. The Directory is also widely available in public libraries.

History

The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy (now known as Imagine Canada) was founded in 1981. Two years later its Resource Centre was established as the first charitable and voluntary sector library in Canada. The next 15 years was a period of rapid growth as the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy led major initiatives to chart the size and vitality of Canada's charitable and nonprofit sector. In 1997 the Centre closed its walk-in library service and launched its first Internet-based information service via the Centre's website now hosted at www.imaginecanada.ca.

In December 2002, the Centre launched its online library catalogue on Nonprofitscan.ca following an extensive reorganization and system upgrade, and expanded its traditional collection mandate to include downloadable electronic resources.

On March 21, 2003, the library re-opened to the public as the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy — John Hodgson Library. John Hodgson is a long-time supporter and friend as well as a founding director of this organization. John Hodgson is also an acknowledged expert in Canadian estate and trust law, and a tireless advocate of the vital social role played by the voluntary and charitable sector in Canada.

Today, the library offers critical information services to the sector through Imagine Canada offices in Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa, its members and networks, its publications, and from the Nonprofit Library Commons at Nonprofitscan.ca, Canada's leading source of information on the charitable and nonprofit sector.