Six “big” K-12 library questions in a pandemic world
Recently, members of the Ontario School Library Association (OSLA) council had "big questions" when they chatted online about the pandemic and its impact on K-12 school library learning commons.
The new model public library
Someone will have to pay for all the government money being used to get us through the COVID-19 crisis. This will usher in a newer, longer and deeper era of austerity and a new understanding of what defines a “model public library.”
Dr. Paul’s pandemic ponderings: Closure is a step towards the future
The University of Sudbury library closed on March 24, 2020. Now past the three-month mark of the closure, the chief librarian thinks that the "new virtual" reality will help him be anywhere, anytime and thus step into the future.
Water, survivance, and erotica: A conversation with illustrator Chief Lady Bird
It’s hard to believe it was already six months ago, but back at the OLA Superconference in January, I sat down with Chief Lady Bird to talk about Nibi’s water song. This new children’s book is written by Sunshine Tenasco and illustrated by Chief Lady Bird.
Clear guidance yes for LGBTQ+ support, but context matters
Are there hard-and-fast rules for libraries engaged with LGBTQ+ communities? While there are areas where there should be clear guidance, there are others where context is more important.
To be perfect or not
Many of us are busy making instructional videos so that we can teach or provide needed services online. But how do we battle our need for the perfect performance? And many times do we re-record before we think we've got our final product?
Black Lives Matter: Does silence signal complacence in public libraries?
I have been waiting for a statement from my local library on the recent protests aimed at confronting systemic anti-black racism in our North American society and across the Western world. It has been weeks and I am still waiting.
Amplifying the voices of school libraries: Summer lending programs
During the 2020 OLA Super Conference, the voices of Canadian school libraries came together to share, discuss and celebrate the incredible work in K-12 school library learning commons in Canada. In the upcoming months, It's elementary will highlight authors and papers from the conference.
Phone-a-friend: SOLS helps libraries (pandemic or not)
Remember the TV game show, Cash Cab? Contestants could try to answer questions on their own, but if they got stuck, they could phone a friend. The Southern Ontario Library Service (SOLS) is like that friend who you can call or turn to for an answer.
Meg Uttangi Matsos
Meg Uttangi Matsos is a Branch Manager at Hamilton Public Library. Over the past 10 years she has managed staff teams in small clustered…
Zarena Cassar
Zarena Cassar is a Branch Manager at Brampton Library. From working on expanding Brampton Library’s after hours study spaces to implementing creative ways to…
Peggy Malcolm
Peggy Malcolm is a library consultant for the Southern Ontario Library Service (SOLS). As part of the SOLS Consulting team, Peggy provides information to…
Beth Lyons
Beth Lyons is currently a teacher librarian in the Peel District School Board. She reflects and shares about her own learning journey as an…