about the library

About the Library

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About Musagetes Architecture Library

Founded in September 2004 as a branch library in the University of Waterloo Library system, Musagetes contains over 30,000 volumes and 75 current print and electronic journals.

Subjects covered by the library's collection include architectural design, theory, history and criticism, historic preservation, building technology, industrial design, landscape architecture, interior design and urban design. The collection includes reference resources, Master’s theses, a small product catalogues section, and selected plans of local buildings. A separate, environmentally controlled Rare Book Room houses one of Canada's most outstanding collections of rare books on architecture and design.

The Musagetes Architecture Library is part of the TriUniversity Group (TUG) of libraries (Waterloo, Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier). Faculty, students and staff have borrowing privileges throughout all three university library systems and have access to research databases, digital mapping, and electronic texts on a wide variety of subjects.

Contact Us

By Phone:       (519) 888-4567 ext. 27607
By E-Mail:        library@architecture.uwaterloo.ca
By Fax:           (519) 622-3525

By Mail:           Musagetes Architecture Library
                     UW School of Architecture
                     7 Melville Street South
                     Cambridge, Ontario
                     Canada N1S 2H4

For Reference Assistance contact the Architecture Librarian, or the Library Associate,

You can also chat with us, visit our BLOG or

Location & Directions

The Library is located on the second floor of the School of Architecture Building, 7 Melville Street South, Cambridge. The drive from main campus to Cambridge takes approximately 35 minutes.

Free parking is available in the lot at the south end of the building.

Local Area map

Driving directions to the School of Architecture

from UW campus

Google Map

Alternate route from UW campus

Drive south on Westmount to Fischer Hallman
Turn left onto Fischer Hallman and drive down into the town of Roseville
Turn left at the T-junction and follow the Roseville Road (becomes Blenheim Road at Cambridge city limits) into downtown Galt. (approximately 33 min.)

from Highway 401

Take exit 282 to Highway 24/Hespeler Road South
Turn right onto Main Street
Turn left onto Melville Street South
The School of Architecture is located at 7 Melville Street South

from Pearson International Airport, Toronto

Take Highway 427 south, exit at Highway 401 west, and follow the directions above

Public Transportation

Grand River Transit (GRT) offers express bus service from the UW campus to the Ainslie St. terminal in downtown Galt. A one way trip takes approximately 62 minutes during rush hour. The express bus runs Monday to Friday, every 15 minutes during the morning and afternoon rush hour and every 30 minutes during the midday. The schedule and route are available on the GRT website.

Library Staff

Branch Head and Liaison Librarian for Architecture
Phone: (519) 888-4567 ext. 27620

Library Associate
Phone: (519) 888-4567 ext. 27648

Library Clerk/Collections
Phone: (519) 888-4567 ext. 27649

Part-time Job Opportunities

A limited number of part-time positions are available for afternoon/evening and weekend hours. Duties include providing circulation service to library patrons at the Public Services Desk and collections maintenance (discharging and shelving library material).

If you are able to work 8-12 hours per week you are invited to pick up a job application from the Musagetes Library, 2nd floor of the School of Architecture.

Our Name

The Library takes its name from the Musagetes Foundation, created by local philanthropists Louise MacCallum and Michael Barnstijn, which provided funding for the renovation and furnishing of the space. In classical mythology "Musagetes" is a term attached to the god Apollo in his role as protector and promoter of the muses and, as such, reflects the couples’ activities as patrons of the arts. Musagetes is pronounced Muse-a-get-ease.

Food & Drink Policy

Food is not permitted in the library. Drinks are permitted in closable, reusable and unbreakable containers, such as plastic or metal screw-top bottles and travel mugs.

Sara Perkins, Library Associate
December 3, 2009

Locations • Musagetes Architecture Library