Columns – Page 2 – OPEN SHELF

793.73: A day at the beach

This month, 793.73 “returns to its roots” with a beach-themed cryptic crossword. These crossword puzzles challenge you with obscure clues that are puzzles in and of themselves! If you need a refresher on the way cryptic crosswords work, check the guide we’ve linked below.

793.73 (cryptic crosswords), Columns

Word of the month/Mots du mois: Subject heading

We will be featuring a “Word (Or Phrase) Of The Month” each issue, courtesy of Library Lexique. This is a tool to feature useful and thematic words or phrases which may arise in day-to-day library work. This month's is "subject heading."

Columns, Publications en Français, Word of the Month/Mots du mois

793.73 “Shelving 101”

In this entry of his monthly puzzle column, 793.73, Douglas challenges readers with a dastardly and delightful shelving-themed logic puzzle. See if you can determine the correct appearance of the shelving unit he describes.

793.73 (cryptic crosswords), Columns

Word of the month/Mots du mois: Book tasting

We will be featuring a “Word (Or Phrase) Of The Month” each issue, courtesy of Library Lexique. This is a tool to feature useful and thematic words or phrases which may arise in day-to-day library work. This month's is "book tasting."

Columns, Publications en Français, Word of the Month/Mots du mois

One thing leads to another

You know how it is - you borrow a movie from the library but then you keep it too long. Now you have a fine, so you go to the library to pay it off, but while you’re there you see a book that you want to read so you borrow it. When you return the book, you see that it’s been made into a movie, so you borrow that, knowing you’ll probably keep it late again.

793.73 (cryptic crosswords), Columns

Word of the month/Mots du mois: Slam poet

Starting this issue, Open Shelf will begin featuring content from Library Lexique. This is a hub of resources meant to encourage and support the use of French in library services. We will be featuring a word (or phrase) of the month in each issue. And, starting this autumn, we will also be featuring an exciting series of bilingual articles from them.

Columns, Library Lexique, Limited Series, Publications en Français, Word of the Month/Mots du mois

793.73: #OscarsSoBro

In 2020, no woman was nominated for Best Director at the Oscars, and only one Best Picture nominee focused on a female cast. Historically, a film nominated for Best Actor is 75 percent more likely to get a Best Picture nomination than one nominated for Best Actress. Here are some trivia questions designed to elevate female filmmakers and actors.

793.73 (cryptic crosswords), Columns

“Sliding” into a new approach to storytime

In the time of the coronavirus, library workers are having to learn new technologies. A good example of this need to adapt is storytime. I often lead storytimes in my work as a library technician at the Milton Public Library (MPL) and I’ve found by learning to “slide” (i.e., use slides) as part of my storytimes. I’ve not only improved my interactions with children and parents, I’ve also become more comfortable with adapting to new ways of doing my work.

Columns, OLITA, Technical Expertise

A library tech perspective on job hunting, story time & more

Each of us probably has a system we use to help us prepare for and participate in the interview process. Although there may be an art to doing an interview, having a strategy for preparing for the process can help us practice a bit of science as well.

Columns, OLITA, Technical Expertise

Challenge accepted!

It’s a new year and a great time for making reading resolutions. One form this resolution may take is to respond to a Reading Challenge. Taking this type of challenge can not only be fun, but also a great opportunity to change some of our entrenched reading habits.

Columns, Readers' Advisory

Indigenous Canada: A Massive, Open, Online Course (MOOC) worth taking

What do the library at the University of Ottawa and Dan Levy, who played David on Schitt’s Creek, have in common? The Indigenous Canada MOOC! Librarians at the University of Ottawa also provided opportunities for colleagues to complete the MOOC in 2019 – 2020.

Columns, High 5, Limited Series

793.73: February double header

To kick off this exciting crossword feature, we present our readers with two puzzles: a “crossward” commemorating Black History Month and celebrating black authors, and a devilishly difficult and cold-themed “cryptic crossword” puzzle.

793.73 (cryptic crosswords), Columns

Needs-based public libraries

The thinking of Comrade F. Dobler from the early 20th century remains relevant and even prescient: those who need open access to information may be those who are fundamentally excluded from public libraries.

Open for All?