Columns – Page 3 – OPEN SHELF

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.”

Open for All?

Remote readers’ advisory

Across the country, libraries are closed but library staff are still working hard to provide remote programming and virtual services, including RA.

Readers' Advisory

Intersectionality

Call-outs, shaming, and other forms of “weaponized” communication shut down conversation and political debate, and more importantly, limit the number of social spaces where differing points of view can be heard and respected.

Open for All?

Free to read and share (or not): “What are you reading?”

Asking somebody what they are reading is a simple but loaded question, particularly when responding to an adult: We have the right to different tastes and reading choices.

Readers' Advisory

Free speech and hate speech

Can we open our doors to all points of view and also say that our libraries are safe spaces? I think not.

Open for All?

Reviewing The public

The public is my kind of movie. The hero is a flawed character who has been given a second chance that he uses to help those who are also in a bad place.

Open for All?

RA core competencies & toolkit

Emma Primeau highlights the OPLA "Reader Services Core Competencies and RA Toolkit". This resource is a one-stop shop for all the tips, tools and continuing education to fuel a simple, practical and integrated approach to inclusive Readers’ Advisory that is geared to your community.

Readers' Advisory

Is librarianship a profession?

Open for all? offers a “think piece” rather than an intellectual analysis. Columnist John Pateman shares his personal observations on issues, and his columns…

Open for All?

Podcasts for book lovers

With podcasts covering pretty much every conceivable thought, notion or idea, it makes sense that there would be countless podcasts for readers and book lovers ... and for readers' advisory as well!

Readers' Advisory

The shock doctrine: Cuts to OLS – N an onslaught on public services

The provincial government has made a 50% cut to the funding that it provides to Ontario Library Service – North (OLS – N). This loss of funding is already sending shock waves through our library infrastructure.

Open for All?

Even RA in a Day is about more than just books

Very few people only read books. And we have to keep up with all the formats! While RA is typically considered to be just about books, the days when well-constructed stories appeared only between the pages of a book have greatly diminished.

Readers' Advisory

The last bastion of democracy

When bad things happen, we should become even more open rather than follow the normal but very human response of condemnation and then censorship.

Open for All?

Listening your way to better RA

Everyone knows listening is a major starting point to any readers’ advisory (RA) transaction and listening to podcasts can play an important role before the interview even starts.

Readers' Advisory