Leanne Trimble is Head of the Map & Data Library. She has a BA in urban geography & architectural history (U of T), a Master of Information Studies (U of T), and a certificate in Applied Digital Geography and GIS (TMU). She has worked at U of T since 2009, providing support for a range of geospatial, quantitative and qualitative data collections and platforms.

Meet your MDL banner featuring Leanne Trimble's picture

Learn more about Leanne:

Q: What makes MDL a unique place for research support?

A: MDL is special in so many ways! We collect unique datasets across all disciplines and formats, from numeric to geospatial to textual (see my answer to one of the other questions below for some examples). We also provide access to specialized data analysis software platforms (e.g. ArcGIS, NVivo, SPSS, SAS, Stata) and provide a wealth of information on how to use them. When our renovated space reopens (May 2026), you’ll be able to drop in on the 5th floor to access our computers and get help.

However, in my opinion the most unique thing about MDL is the team and the support they provide. MDL staff love working with data, and they love helping the U of T community. We hope you’ll leave MDL feeling empowered to succeed with data!

Q: How do you collaborate with other departments and libraries on campus?

A: MDL staff frequently partner with colleagues throughout U of T on the development of instructional materials and other learning resources, as well as organizing unique events and experiences for the campus community. This month, MDL is collaborating with our colleagues at Gerstein Science Information Centre on a Data Detox week - I encourage you to check it out!

Data Detox Week with U of T Libraries

Q: What's your favorite dataset that’s available at MDL?

A: One of my areas of responsibility at MDL is data licensing, and I get a lot of satisfaction from this work - helping to ensure U of T students, staff and faculty can access the restricted data they need to pursue their research. I can’t choose just one, so here are a few of my favourite commercial datasets you may not realize we have access to!

Planet.com

Access to the archive of Planet Labs satellite imagery, including from the PlanetScope (3.7m resolution, international, near-daily coverage going back to 2014) and SkySat (0.5m resolution, intermittent coverage) satellite fleets. This will be much more frequent (and in the case of SkySat, higher resolution), than readily accessible open alternatives.

Gallup Analytics & individual-level data

Learn about how people around the world think and feel about a range of topics. Use Gallup Analytics to visually explore summary public opinion data by topic, or access the individual-level data to run your own analysis.

Proquest TDM Studio

The longest standing “data” collection at the University of Toronto Libraries is actually...the text within the books and journal articles we have been collecting for as long as the university has existed! Nowadays, with text & data mining techniques, you can understand this content in new ways. One option is Proquest TDM Studio, which provides online analysis and visualization tools for use with our licensed Proquest collections including current and historical scholarly journals, newspapers, dissertations & theses. MDL has created a guide to help you get started.

If you think Leanne or someone else at MDL could help you with your research or teaching, please reach out!

Meet your MDL: Leanne Trimble