Features & columns – OPEN SHELF

Animal therapy or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the quarantine

From therapy animals to household pets to wildlife, many of us know firsthand the power that animals have to improve our mood and add healthy behaviours to our lives. Especially during a crisis.

Hospital librarianship during the COVID-19 pandemic

I’m still going to work because, while I’m a librarian, my library serves hospital leadership and front-line health workers.

To volunteer

April 19-15, 2020 was National Volunteer Week in Canada. OLA recognized the many members of the library sector in Ontario that contribute to the strength and success of the association, including those who produce Open Shelf.

Zoom, zoom …

This is how I imagine someone scheduled to host a meeting looks when they try to sneak quietly into an already started Zoom meeting…

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.

The wrong side of the digital divide

COVID-19 has definitely created new access needs. Unfortunately, not everyone has a well-equipped home office that comes with internet access, which is where the public library can help.

Home-schooling and job seeking during a pandemic

Both the library closure and the closure of all publicly funded schools and child care centres after March break have left me curious to know which online resources will assist me and other parents like me who now find themselves with home-schooling responsibilities.

No Fool’s Day

We at Open Shelf didn’t publish an April Fool’s issue .. now is not the time for pranks, even those focused on satirical articles, short stories and mystery podcasts. What do people (readers) need right now? Positivity and something to do.

What’s happening at school?

The Ontario Ministry of Education has been releasing official announcements related to public schools in the province since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020. Each announcement has led to another phase in remote teaching and learning in Ontario.