Features & columns – OPEN SHELF

Democracies need libraries

The American Library Association’s democracy statement reads, in part: “Democracies need libraries. An informed public constitutes the very foundation of a democracy; after all, democracies are about discourse—discourse among the people. ... It must ensure that citizens have the resources to develop the information literacy skills necessary to participate in the democratic process.” This might seem like some pretty big shoes to fill, but there is truth to it. Public libraries help us stay informed and keep us kind.

Send us your news

We know that our role in school libraries is to serve our students and to support student achievement across all grades and curriculum areas. As long as there are still staff members available to offer this support, we need to share and to celebrate the amazing work happening every day in school libraries.

Open call to OLA members

A blank canvas: Something that's empty or undecorated. A blank canvas hasn't been drawn or painted on yet—it's clean and unmarked. For now.

Teamwork

Why do teams matter? How do we develop strong teams? What challenges do teams face? OLA President Richard Reid and Kaseey (Mallen) Whalley tackle these issues are more.

A library is: Community

A library reflects the communities and the cultures in which it operates, and library collections and programs reflect the reading tastes, the history and the priorities of the residents.

Technological inclusion: New learning commons creates seats at the digital table

“If not us, then who?” At Central Public School, our principal gives us this daily challenge so that we balance community assets with any gaps or deficits we identify.

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.

Genealogy 101: Knowing your genealogy patron

Before I became a genealogy librarian, I was never really into tracing lines of ancestral descent or into knowing my family tree. Discovering family history seemed so abstract.

Popular cream: Streaming, collections and access for all

Each time communication and media markets shift, changes may not necessarily benefit those of us who ultimately consume the content.

Note to self: Schedule time for self-care

We schedule a lot to do or are scheduled to do a lot. One thing that may be missing from our agendas is self-care.

Indigenous voices: An interview with Terri Meekis

The Wabauskang First Nation Public Library (WFNPL) is one of the newest public libraries to be built on a reserve in Ontario.

Librarians on a “Leave for Change”

Leave for Change is a programme that sends volunteers on three-week assignments to developing countries. Juliene McLaughlin tells Wayne Johnston about her first overseas assignment.

Calling all editors: InsideOCULA

The Ontario College & University Library Association (OCULA) is accepting applications for a volunteer Editor for InsideOCULA.

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