I was born in Shanghai, China, and immigrated to Canada in 2001. I studied in the Master of Library and Information Science program at McGill University as a local student. Despite this, my foreign education background from undergraduate to graduate studies posed challenges similar to those faced by international students. Adjusting to the Canadian campus and local society while striving for academic success was no easy undertaking. My experience is a common one on Canadian multicultural campuses.
In my career as an academic librarian providing reference support for 19 years, I have helped many students, including those students from equity-seeking groups, who struggle with similar challenges. These challenges include navigating Canadian academic conventions and overcoming systemic barriers in everyday campus life, where their backgrounds or cultures are often underrepresented. As an immigrant and a visitor to the territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) Peoples, I deeply cherish the opportunity to use my professional training and knowledge to provide equal access to information and resources for all students. The toolkit is a first step, and I am looking forward to working with more colleagues in this meaningful area to improve students’ overall learning experience.