U of T alum Liz Sullivan found her calling through libraries and a life-changing fellowship
Sep 30, 2025
With help from an estate gift, Liz Sullivan graduated with a combined master of information and master of museum studies.
After earning a degree from OCAD University, Liz Sullivan didn’t expect to return to school. But a decade-long connection to the Toronto Public Library ultimately guided her in a new direction.
“I’ve always frequented my local library. When I was 18, one of the librarians encouraged me to apply for a job. That changed the course of everything,” says Sullivan, who recently graduated from U of T with a combined master of information (library specialization) and master of museum studies.
A love for libraries
While Sullivan pursued her undergraduate degree, she continued working at the library, eventually stepping into a full-time role. She began to ask herself, “If I love this work so much, how do I build a future in it?” The answer: go back to school.
I hope to improve the accessibility and variety of public programming within the public library sector.
Sullivan dove into a demanding program—all while working full time. “There were moments where I thought, why did I sign up for this?” she says. “But it was worth it. The professors were excellent, and the overlap between libraries and museums enriched both sides of the degree.”
I hope to improve the accessibility and variety of public programming within the public library sector.
Vital support
In her second year, Sullivan received the Ruth Corner Public Librarian Fellowship. Corner graduated from U of T with a bachelor of library science in 1950 and worked as a public librarian for 43 years at the City of York. Corner passed away in 2009, leaving a gift in her will to the Faculty of Information in her estate to help develop future public librarians.
“This fellowship has been a blessing,” says Sullivan. “Along with many other things, it allowed me to take part in a program in Montreal and connect with professionals in the library and museum sectors. I had the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of museum archives—an experience that expanded my understanding of the field in ways that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.”
The need for reliable information
With misinformation and disinformation on the rise, the gift proved timely. Public libraries play a vital role in safeguarding access to reliable information. Despite being needed more than ever, they are increasingly underfunded and under threat.
“I hope to improve the accessibility and variety of public programming within the public library sector,” says Sullivan. “Libraries are a vital resource for individuals from all walks of life; I hope to use my education to ensure they remain relevant, useful and accessible for all people.”
If you would like to find out more about how to donate through your will, please visit the gift planning website or reach out to Michelle Osborne at michelle.osborne@utoronto.ca.
