The launch of the Bikram S. Dhillon and Family Medical Library at Toronto Metropolitan University marks a significant moment in Canadian health librarianship. Opening its doors in September 2025, the library supports the new School of Medicine with a focus on learner-centered, equity-informed service. This lightning talk reflects on the early months of operation and the ongoing work of building a library that listens, adapts, and grows alongside its community.

As CHLA/ABSC celebrates 50 years of health expertise, this presentation considers what it means to build something new in a field shaped by longstanding practice. We will share insights from the library’s foundational phase, including approaches to instructional design, outreach, and resource development that responds to the evolving needs in medical education. The talk will also highlight how librarianship continues to adapt, bridging established practice with innovation and evidence with empathy.

As the library opens in phases, this session offers a snapshot of a library in motion: shaped by collaboration, learner responsiveness, and inclusive library practice. We invite attendees to consider how new spaces can reflect enduring commitments while making room for change.

This submission is intended to spark conversation about the future of health libraries and to honour the collective work of those who have built and continue to build spaces for learning, care, and connection.

Hands-on clinical experience is a cornerstone of medical education. Residents spend much of their training in hospitals and clinics, while medical students look forward to clerkship for their supervised, practice-based learning. As Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) School of Medicine (SoM) prepared to open, building relationships with the local healthcare institutions was essential. Among these, the collaboration between the Bikram S. Dhillon and Family Medical Library and the William Osler Health System Library has become central to supporting learners across academic and clinical contexts.

As our healthcare and academic landscapes prepared to welcome learners, it was important for our health libraries to foster meaningful collaborations that enhance evidence-based practice, research, and education. Fostering a connection between our two library systems allowed us to leverage the skills and services at both institutions to support the new medical school. Together, we are able to explore and co-develop initiatives such as shared education programs, referral processes, subject-guide content, and collaborative support services that benefit students, clinicians, and researchers alike.

This presentation explores how partnerships between academic and clinical libraries can bridge institutional silos, foster knowledge exchange, and support the continuum of learning and care. Participants will gain insights into building sustainable partnerships that leverage the strengths of both academic and clinical settings. Emphasis will be placed on communication, mutual goals, and the importance of cultivating trust and shared leadership. By the end of the session, participants will be able to identify strategies for initiating and sustaining library partnerships across academic and clinical contexts.