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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Intercultural competency
Open for all? offers a “think piece“ rather than an intellectual analysis. Columnist John Pateman shares his personal observations on issues and his columns…
Unlevel playing field
White middle class professional library values can create an unlevel playing field for Indigenous organizations and individuals. How? By privileging one world view over another.