Knox College, Canada

Honouring Joan Pries: Celebrating Sixteen Years at Knox

Jennilee Psarologos, Managing Editor of Vocations and Director of Advancement & Alumni Relations sat down with Joan Pries in May 2026 to speak about her time at Knox College.

1. You have served as Director of Library Services at Caven Library for sixteen+ years. What are you most grateful for from this season?

I have enjoyed my time at Knox College and am deeply grateful to have been part of an academic environment that offers a truly rich array of resources for research and learning. Being part of the University of Toronto Libraries (UTL) system has been especially important to my work and to my experience here. In my role as the Director of the library, it allowed  me to focus on building collections that  support the particular strengths and needs of this community; areas such as the Reformation and Reformed theology, Presbyterian history and thought, biblical studies, and over the past eight years or so, the growing intersection of theology and religion and spiritual care with psychology for our MPS program.

Our students, of course, come with wide-ranging interests and pursue research in many different directions. Being part of UTL, the largest research library system in Canada and the fourth largest in North America, means they have immediate access to most of the resources they need. And when materials are not readily available, we can almost always obtain them through Interlibrary Loan.

I am also very grateful for my wonderful library colleagues at both TST and UTL. While my closest working relationships have been with other TST librarians, UTL has consistently welcomed those of us who are affiliated but not directly part of the university. In many ways, I believe the libraries are the most deeply embedded TST department within the broader University of Toronto.

Beyond my appreciation for resources and library colleagues from TST and UTL, and my colleagues at Knox, I am thankful for the way Knox faculty have lived out their faith. I grew up in an evangelical environment where there was often a great deal of guilt attached to what one did or did not do. Although I had already moved beyond that evangelical thinking before coming to Knox, my time here showed me how faith can be lived out in a different, more gracious and grounded way than what I had known growing up.

2. What first drew you to the intersection of theology and library studies?

I spent seven years in Asia, mostly China, teaching ESL with a Christian organization. During that time, I began to feel a growing desire for deeper theological grounding, which eventually led me back to Canada to pursue a Master of Arts in Theological Studies at Regent College on the UBC campus in Vancouver. At that point, I never imagined my theological studies would have any professional application—I went to Regent simply because I wanted to learn, to think more deeply, and to grow personally.

Like many students, I needed to work to support myself while studying. When a position became available at the Regent Library, I applied and was hired. It was during this period that I discovered librarianship would be a natural fit for me. I ended up working full-time while completing my Regent degree part-time, and along the way I began to realize that librarianship wasn’t just a job—it was a vocation.

After completing my MA, applying to the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) program at UBC felt like a natural next step. Once again, I continued studying part-time while working full-time.

Working in a theological library brought everything together in a way I hadn’t anticipated. My theological education, which I had once thought of as purely personal, suddenly had professional value as well.

Looking back, it’s clear that I didn’t plan this career path in advance—in many ways, I fell into it. But what started out unintentionally has turned out to be an ideal fit, bringing together my interests, my education, and my sense of calling.

3. Can you share with us about when you answered the call to serve at Knox College?

I had been at Regent for fifteen years, but Vancouver was, and still is, an incredibly expensive city to live in, and my salary simply wasn’t keeping pace. I knew it wasn’t sustainable to stay, but I had no idea where else I might go. The thought of moving was daunting; my friends, my church, and my sense of community were all in Vancouver.

Around that time, Cindy Derrebacker, the Regent Library Director, mentioned a job opening at Knox College in Toronto and strongly encouraged me to apply. She herself had worked at Wycliffe Library and had been involved in the amalgamation of that library with the Graham Library at Trinity College, so she knew TST well.

As someone born and raised in Western Canada, my first reaction was not enthusiastic. Toronto?! Who wants to live in Toronto?! Like many Westerners, I had a certain built‑in disdain for a city that often seems to think of itself as the centre of the universe 😊 and pays little attention to the rest of this vast country. Still, I did have a sister living in Ottawa, and the idea of living closer to her was appealing. Cindy continued to encourage me, and after much reflection, I decided to apply.

I was invited to Knox for an all‑day interview, and here’s the funny part: by the end of the morning interviews, I had decided the position was not for me. There were too many challenges in the library—they still used a card catalogue for heaven’s sake! When I met with Principal Dorcas Gordon at the end of the day, I told her “no.” She very kindly suggested I think about it for a week and said she’d call me back.

That week involved many conversations with friends and family, weighing pros and cons—and a fair amount of soul‑searching. By the time Dorcas called again, I surprised myself by saying yes.

Leaving Vancouver was genuinely difficult. I was giving up a strong community, a church I loved, not to mention the beautiful environment shaped by ocean, mountains, and mild winters. And Toronto did not roll out the welcome mat gently: I arrived at the end of January 2010 in the middle of a massive snowstorm, with temperatures around minus twenty‑seven. That same morning, Vancouver had been sunny and ten degrees. I briefly questioned all my life choices.

Settling in also took longer than I expected. Moving in one’s twenties is one thing; moving alone at fifty is another. Building community and a sense of belonging took time, and the first few years were challenging. But over time, Toronto did become home, and the role turned out to be a far better fit than I ever anticipated.

4. When reflecting on your time at Knox are there any initiatives, collections, or moments that felt especially meaningful or formative?

One of my first major projects was to bring the library into the 20th century (never mind the 21^st) by securing a grant, with the help of Knox’s Development Officer at the time, to carry out the retrospective conversion of the card catalogue. This involved digitizing all of our records, a project that took nearly two years from start to finish. The process included sending the catalogue cards to a company for data entry, working with UTL to upload the records into their system, and then having Caven Library staff undertake the physical labour of adding barcodes and other information to each volume individually. It was a significant effort, but the result was transformational—our entire collection became fully discoverable through the UTL system.

That visibility had an immediate impact. Once our holdings appeared online, University of Toronto students began using the library, and as images of Caven circulated on social media, the space became extremely popular—eventually to the point that our own students began to complain that they could no longer find places to study. (This was in the days before COVID changed everything.)

Alongside this, I focused on improving the physical infrastructure of the library. We addressed long‑standing space constraints by installing compact shelving in the basement to house valuable but less frequently used materials. I also oversaw improvements made possible by a major donation, including restoring our historic furniture and commissioning a new circulation desk that better reflects the building’s architecture while creating a more welcoming service point.

Overall, my approach has been to strengthen access, preservation, and user experience—while respecting the character and mission of the library.

5. What are some of the most significant changes you have seen in theological libraries during your tenure?

• Digital content: There has been a major shift from print‑based collections to licensed digital content, including e‑journals, databases, and e‑books. As a result, students and faculty now access most resources online rather than browsing the physical stacks, which has significantly reduced in‑person use of print collections.
• Cost/ Budget: At the same time, libraries are facing rising costs for electronic resources alongside increasingly constrained budgets. Being part of the UTL system has been a significant advantage, as many core theological journals are now included in centrally purchased e‑journal packages. This allows me and the Caven budget to be focused on e‑books, which are now the format students request most and expect.
• COVID: COVID accelerated a shift that was already underway: libraries became not just collections, but active institutional partners. When physical spaces closed, we pivoted quickly to expand access to online resources and e‑books and delivered them in new and flexible ways.
  • Librarians became much more embedded in teaching and learning environments, particularly through course management systems like Quercus. We provided online instruction, research support, and created course‑based library reading lists so students could access required materials in one place and mostly electronically. There are still some resources that libraries cannot purchase electronically due to publisher’s restrictions.
  • One interesting challenge that emerged was perception—students often didn’t realize they were “using the library” when they accessed materials from the Quercus Library Reading Lists online. This highlighted the need to rethink and better communicate the idea that today’s library exists in both physical and digital spaces.
• Collaboration and Collection Development: Collaboration has always been a strength of the TST libraries. There’s a long‑standing, informal understanding about subject coverage, which helped reduce unnecessary duplication even in the era of print collections.

With the rapid growth of e‑books, that collaboration has deepened. TST libraries now coordinate purchases of major commentary series and scholarly collections in electronic format. Each library acquires a portion of these resources, which are then accessible to all TST and U of T students, from anywhere and at any time.

This shared approach significantly increases purchasing power and ensures broader and more equitable access to high‑quality resources in a timely manner.

• Diversification and Specialization: Over the past 15 years or so, theological libraries have made deliberate efforts to broaden their collections to include more diverse voices, global scholarship, and perspectives that reflect changing student populations and contemporary scholarship.

At the same time, there has been increased emphasis on developing distinctive special collections and archives. These unique materials support original research, strengthen institutional identity, and distinguish libraries within larger systems.

6. In your view, what makes a theological library distinct within a large university setting?

Theological libraries are considered special libraries because their collections are highly specialized, often denominationally focused, and include unique archival materials that aren’t found in a broader university library system, making them essential for specialized theological research.

Theological libraries are also distinguished by their staff expertise. Many theological librarians have advanced degrees in theology or religion or a related field and can offer deeply informed and tailored research support to graduate students and faculty. Many theological librarians also understand their work as a vocational calling, supporting the work of the church and ministry, rather than simply as a technical or academic profession.

In terms of collections, theological libraries tend to acquire materials in greater depth around religious texts, history, theology, and practice, with a strong emphasis on their particular faith traditions. They serve a dual audience: academic researchers and students, as well as clergy and lay church members. As a result, theological libraries support both scholarly inquiry and practical ministry. This focus is especially evident in collections such as the McKay Educational Resource Centre, which emphasizes resources for practical ministry, contemporary societal issues facing churches, faith formation, and congregational life.

7. What have you most appreciated about working with students preparing for ministry, counselling, and service?

Many theological librarians enjoy working with students who are intellectually curious and eager to go beyond surface‑level research. We particularly value students who seek help, engage deeply with complex texts, and develop strong information‑literacy skills—especially the ability to critically evaluate sources, which is essential for ministry, counselling, and pastoral care. Overall, we appreciate students who are proactive, thoughtful, and committed to their vocational goals.

8. Have you noticed changes over time in how students engage with the library, books, research, and learning?

Over time, student engagement with the library has shifted strongly toward digital, on‑demand access. While this gives students tremendous flexibility, it also means many feel overwhelmed by the volume of information available. A key part of our role is supporting student learning by teaching core research skills—how to search effectively, evaluate the credibility of sources, and manage citations—so students can work with confidence and rigor.

We also see students increasingly pursuing interdisciplinary research, particularly in programs like the MPS, where theology and spiritual care intersect with psychology and the social sciences. Librarians support this by helping students navigate unfamiliar disciplines and methodologies.

Even though fewer students use the physical library—often because they study part‑time, online, or live far away—the library remains central to their academic success. Whether in physical or virtual spaces, our focus is on supporting strong research practices, critical thinking, and effective learning outcomes wherever students are.

9. What do you hope students carry with them in their relationship to books and learning after they leave the College?

I hope students leave Knox with a lifelong relationship to learning and to books of all kinds—books that teach, challenge, and deepen their understanding of many facets of life and faith, and this includes fiction. I hope they will keep reading, researching, and engaging critically with what they encounter, because those skills are essential for thoughtful leadership and ministry. I also hope they continue to explore diverse theological perspectives and see Caven Library as a partner well beyond graduation. (Yes, we will mail books to alumni, and we also offer access to the Atla for Alumni full-text article database.) And while I appreciate the importance of digital access, I hope they continue to value physical books as well—for the depth of focus, reflection, and connection they offer.

10. Librarians often shape institutions in quiet but lasting ways. What do you hope your legacy will be within the life of Knox College and Caven Library?

I see the role of the theological librarian as deeply connected to institutional mission and strategy. My focus has been on aligning library services with teaching, learning, spiritual formation, and accreditation requirements. My leadership approach is strongly team‑centred; I believe the library’s success depends on supporting, empowering, and trusting a highly skilled staff. Together, we have ensured that library services are fully integrated into the academic and formative life of the institution. That collective effort was recognized during our most recent ATS review, when the library received a specific commendation—the only department to do so—which reflected the strength and professionalism of the team and the library’s strategic contribution to the college.

I’ve also focused on leading change collaboratively. As a team, we guided the library through a significant transition—from a primarily physical collection prior to COVID to a hybrid model with a robust virtual library. This required shared problem‑solving, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt how we serve our users. I think of Atla’s phrase (the American Theological Library Association, now called Atla since it encompasses more than just the US) “collectors and connectors” as a team identity: we work together not just to build collections, but to connect people to the resources, tools, and support they need.

From a strategic planning perspective, a key focus has been how the library is actually understood and valued—moving beyond the lip service often paid to it and toward recognizing it in practice as a true strategic partner rather than just a cost centre. The library plays a critical role in sustaining academic quality, meeting accreditation requirements, and supporting the institution’s long‑term viability. By investing in staff expertise and fostering cross‑departmental collaboration, the library has strengthened its capacity to contribute meaningfully to teaching, research, and institutional planning. This integrated approach ensures that the library is not only responsive to current needs but also positioned to support the college’s strategic goals over the long term.

11. Are there particular authors or texts that have been especially meaningful to you, either personally or professionally?

• I love anything by Anne Lamott, who writes about faith in such a real, honest, humorous, and down-to-earth way that resonates with me.
• Kate Bowler, an author and historian, because of how she writes about her experience through stage‑four cancer, and her relentless, thoughtful exploration of joy—not happiness, but joy.
• I grew up in an evangelical environment, so I appreciated the honesty, questions, and challenges found in the writing of Rachel Held Evans, who died far too young at the age of 37.
• Barbara Brown Taylor, an American Episcopal priest, writes beautifully about discovering the sacred and spiritual woven through everyday life and the world around us.
• Richard Wagamese, an Indigenous Canadian author and journalist, whose prose often feels like poetry to me. His writing is deeply moving in the way it illuminates both historical and contemporary social and economic realities facing Indigenous communities in Canada.

12. As you look ahead, what are you most looking forward to in retirement?

I’m really looking forward to not setting an alarm and being able to wake up when my body feels ready. I’m looking forward to doing volunteer work and, hopefully, traveling more. I did a lot of traveling in my 20s and 30s, but not nearly as much in recent years, so I’d love the chance to see more of the world again. Most of all, I’m curious and hopeful about what this third season of my life will bring. It will be very different from the earlier seasons of study and responsibility, and I’m looking forward to seeing what unfolds.

13. Do you imagine books and libraries will continue to shape this next chapter of your life?

I certainly hope so! Reading has always been one of my great pleasures and I hope both the desire and the ability to read stay with me for a very long time. I imagine spending time in public libraries, whether to take part in their programs or simply to enjoy them as welcoming places to read and be. I have great admiration for public librarians, who serve the full spectrum of society in ways that academic librarians usually do not. I also deeply respect public libraries for their ability to adapt continually to community needs and for the vital role they play in leveling the playing field—offering access to computers, books, and services that many people might not otherwise be able to afford.

14. What words of encouragement would you offer to those who will carry this work forward?

I hope my successors can continue to raise the library’s profile—imagining new directions and services while also honouring Knox’s rich heritage. At the same time, I hope they feel confident and supported as they keep adapting, thoughtfully leading as they navigate new technologies, hybrid learning environments, and more collaborative ways of working, always remembering that the library’s real strength lies in its ability to connect people, ideas, and communities across generations.