The Dana Porter Library’s main floor is sporting new IBM computer workstations with flat screen monitors. These new workstations, equipped with an extensive suite of supported software (including Microsoft Office) and research tools, are made possible from the UW Alumni @ IBM Campaign.
The Porter Library has received 48 computer workstations in total for its main floor. These workstations are located in the area behind the Information Desk and in the alcove area behind the New Books shelving. All of these workstations are available for use on a first-come, first-serve basis.
University Librarian, Mark Haslett, states that “the state-of-the-art equipment from IBM brings us one step closer in our quest to provide an Information Commons at the Porter Library. This updated equipment helps us to provide UW students, faculty, and staff with the technology necessary for building life-long research and information management skills.”
Studying for her first set of final exams, Nicole Tsonis, a first year Social Development Studies student from Athens, Greece, is excited about the new computers. She is thrilled that the new workstations have more extensive software options, such as Microsoft Office. “I typically work on my assignments here and appreciate that I no longer have to take the extra step to reformat my papers at home or at another location on campus. Now I can create, edit, and print my assignments while I am at the Porter Library.”
Initially launched on May 6, 2004, the UW Alumni @ IBM Campaign supports a variety of important projects across campus, such as graduate scholarships, named award endowments, and teaching equipment. Since the campaign's launch, over 300 UW alumni working for IBM Canada have made pledges towards the aforementioned projects. By 
making a pledge, the IBM Matching Grants Program provides equipment credits towards the provision of new and enriched computing equipment for UW students and researchers at the Library. During the current (second) year of the UW Alumni @ IBM Campaign, the Library received over $200,000 in IBM equipment credits.
The products received from IBM during the inaugural year of this initiative are highly-visible in the RBC Information Commons within the Davis Centre Library. The RBC Information Commons provides users with access to high-end, IBM multimedia workstations. The Davis Library will soon install another 37 express workstations recently received from the UW Alumni @ IBM Campaign.
For additional information, please contact:
Mary Stanley
Manager, Library Communications and Development
Ext. 36019
University of Waterloo Library
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
519 888 4883
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