Inclusion & Diversity

Black History Month at the Library

February is Black History Month; a time to honor and celebrate the culture, contributions, and legacies of Black Canadians and others around the globe.

In honour of this month, we are highlighting resources and books available in the Algonquin College Library to help guide the College community in learning about the achievements made and adversities faced by Black individuals over the course of history.

Below, we have a highlighted selection of available books in honor of Black History Month. We encourage all to drop-by the library and discover a variety of novels featuring prominent Black authors, non-fiction narratives that foster allyship, award-winning children’s books, and more.

Below is a list of a few examples of books you can find in the Library to read during Black History Month:

Explore our online collections to find more recommended resources in celebration of Black History Month:

New all-gender and universal washrooms available at the Ottawa Campus

Image of a washrooms with stall doors closed and a text-based wall mural on either side of the image

The four-corners washroom in A Building

Algonquin College is proud to announce a significant milestone in its commitment to inclusion, diversity and breaking down barriers within the College community. Facilities Management has recently completed extensive renovations to multiple washrooms on the Ottawa Campus, culminating in the creation of inclusive, all-gender and universal washroom facilities, as well as the first deliberately designed and constructed all-gender washrooms in College-owned facilities. 

This project has been in the works since 2022, with the overarching goal of fostering inclusivity across campus. A dedicated working group was formed to identify the diverse needs of the College community, including learners, employees and the public who use our facilities. Collaborating with consultants, we set ambitious standards for these all-inclusive washrooms, incorporating valuable lessons learned from the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre project completed in 2021. 

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Ending the stigma one period product at a time 

In recognition of World Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, Algonquin College has partnered with Citron Hygiene and Aunt Flow to provide free menstrual products in 43 Ottawa campus washrooms.

Aunt Flow dispensers are stocked with organic cotton tampons and pads to mitigate instances in which menstruators may have to miss out on activities or classes due to their period or need to sacrifice something else within their budget to afford menstrual products. 

World Menstrual Hygiene Day is a time to break taboos and end the stigma surrounding menstruation, raise awareness about the challenges regarding access to menstrual products, educate about menstruation and period-friendly sanitation facilities, and mobilize funding for global action.

According to statistics referenced by both the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario, 63 per cent of menstruaters surveyed in 2021 had concerns about not being able to access either menstrual products or proper sanitation facilities, and 34 per cent had faced budget/affordability issues.

“AC believes in creating an accessible and equitable environment; if toilet paper and soap are freely accessible, period products should be too. By providing Aunt Flow period products we are doing our part to ensure the needs of our College community are met,” said Ryan Southwood, Executive Director, Facilities Management.

True to the College’s values of Caring, Learning, Integrity and Respect, AC as committed to ensuring that everyone has the best learning experience possible, offering free menstrual products is just one more way that the College can do that.

Looking for products? Find the machine nearest to you here. Remember there is limited supply of products, and while best efforts will be made to ensure dispensers are fully stocked, the College asks you to please only take what you need, when you need it.