Expanding Horizons Symposium Brings 170+ Attendees Together, Showcasing Partnered Research In Practice

On November 12, 2025, Hamilton Public Library (HPL) hosted the inaugural Expanding Horizons: Shaping Public Library Knowledge and Practice Through Partnered Research symposium at its Central Branch. The event was collaboratively organized by HPL, McMaster’s Community Research Platform (CRP), and Burlington Public Library. 

The symposium brought together library staff, researchers, students, and community partners – with over 170 attendees – to share research, strengthen relationships, and advance research-informed public library practice.

The symposium opened with a welcome breakfast and keynote by Dr. Paulette Rothbauer, exploring what research suggests about public libraries and social cohesion, and how libraries function as important social infrastructure that supports inclusion, learning, and community connection.

After the keynote, the spotlight turned to partnered research in practice through a CRP-led morning session. CRP opened with an overview of its model and impact, then hosted five lightning talks showcasing CRP-supported projects – ranging from evaluation of HPL’s Social Work Program and intergenerational digital writing programming with older adults, to emotional labour and resilience in library work, and approaches to strengthening and sustaining library–university partnerships.

Together, these presentations demonstrated how collaborative research can respond to community and library priorities and translate into learning that informs services and decision-making.

The afternoon program created space to dig deeper into both emerging research and pressing issues facing libraries. Following a student poster showcase and networking over lunch, participants gathered for an afternoon panel session focused on transformative challenges in public librarianship.

Discussion topics included supporting older adults’ inclusion and social connection, navigating censorship in Canadian libraries, addressing patron-perpetrated sexual harassment, and insights from action research on technology training for older adults – prompting thoughtful conversation about how evidence, policy, and practice intersect in day-to-day library work.

The day closed with an interactive session focused on building a community of practice to help sustain momentum beyond the symposium. CRP looks forward to continuing to support collaborative, community-engaged research that strengthens library services and contributes to social impact scholarship.