What’s New in Open Shelf?

What’s new in Open Shelf: October 2020

Pandemic: (Of a disease) prevalent over a whole country or the world…and a magazine. Again, we feature stories that capture our experiences during this “time of COVID-19”: articles about our resilience and capacity to be innovative while coping with the complete disruption of our work lives and services as well as stories that emphasize the real need for the public services that institutions such as libraries provide. The individual and collective benefits of these services are not only practical (e.g., access to printing) but also emotional and psychological.

What’s new in Open Shelf: September 2020

Is it fall yet? Somehow, time and space seem to have collapsed over the past six months and even the seasons don’t necessarily feel discrete right now. Plus, global warming contributes to a sense of life being off kilter as well, as fluctuating temperatures and volatile storms bring uncertainty to each day. However, our lineup this month reflects our capacity to survive and thrive despite the unpredictability of pandemics, weather, and just change in general.

What’s new in Open Shelf: July 2020

This a summer like no other…activities we take for granted, like travelling or reading a book on the beach, can’t be taken for granted any longer. Fights for social justice continue, hotter than ever. And we wonder what our libraries (school, academic, special, hospital) will look like in September. Contributors to the July issue of Open Shelf are tackling these issues and more while following the mantra of Dr. Bonnie Henry (a Canadian medical leader par excellence): Be kind, be calm, and be safe.

What’s new in Open Shelf: June 2020

So who knew we'd have 12 articles this month ... and at a time when all our lives have been so unexpectedly disrupted? But we do and our topics include acknowledging systemic racism in public libraries, voices (and photos) from those affected by the pandemic, and telling stories through memes. Plus, follow Round II of the panel on whether librarians need an MLIS, learn what's happening with K–12 education, and lisez la deuxième partie de la francisation de Scholars Portal.

What’s new in Open Shelf: April 2020

So who knew we'd have 12 articles this month ... and at a time when all our lives have been so unexpectedly disrupted? But we do and our topics include acknowledging systemic racism in public libraries, voices (and photos) from those affected by the pandemic, and telling stories through memes. Plus, follow Round II of the panel on whether librarians need an MLIS, learn what's happening with K–12 education, and lisez la deuxième partie de la francisation de Scholars Portal.

What’s new in Open Shelf: March 2020

We’re trying something new this month: An online panel discussion on the need for the MLIS. In addition to this foray into a new way to talk with each other, we also have a number of features that look at Finnish library programs, Indigenous-federal relations, being a new manager, and creative card-making for students, which is an InsideOCULA article. Plus, Readers’ advisory is back along with the latest installment of Wildcard*, a new grad’s journey in the job market.

What’s new in Open Shelf: February 2020

Happy 2020! Yes, it’s a bit late to offer this greeting except for the Open Shelf editorial team, given that we took our annual hiatus in January. This month, we are presenting articles in both official languages, along with stories from northern, southern, and eastern corners of the province, while featuring the voices of those who work in rural and urban libraries, both new grads and seasoned professionals.

What’s new in Open Shelf: December 2019

So we have come to the end of 2019 and we hope we are finishing with a blast of good cheer. This month, the last of 2019, our stories are seasonal (think 'Twas the night before Christmas [with a twist]), as we tackle topics such as finding that first great professional gig, volunteering, mandatory retirement, and changing roles in a single organization.

What’s new in Open Shelf?: November 2019

Bonjour tout le monde! This month, we present some articles in English and one en français, while covering multiple territories, organizations and workspaces. Two of our stories feature folks who attended the IFLA 2019 World Library and Information Congress, while some come from both northern and southern Ontario. And, as always, we welcome your stories ... this time, we're looking for those that feature traditional skills being used in non-traditional ways.

What’s new in Open Shelf?: October 2019

Climate change, parliamentary change, changing career directions … important social and individual shifts seem to be a key theme for this issue of Open Shelf. We welcome back a regular column that's been on hiatus, introduce a new one and share a number of feature articles including two from InsideOCULA contributors.

What’s new in Open Shelf?: September 2019

In this month's issue we have a list of reading suggestions in Library is... Murder!, and an update on the new rural libraries conference: Little Branches Rural Roots. Also, learn about: cultural diversity and inclusion in the workplace, the current landscape of ebooks in libraries, Whether librarianship is a profession, the RA core competencies & toolkit, the Library IT Crowd, and hear from a public library manager dealing with the recent budget cuts. Plus, we have an exciting opportunity at Open Shelf: call for a story editor.

What’s new in Open Shelf?: July 2019

It's that time again! This is our last issue before September and we are gearing up for two exciting opportunities. Plus, we have features on supporting medical research, working in a precarious job market, developing leadership skills ... and more hot summer reading.

What’s new in Open Shelf?: June 2019

This month, we hear from those impacted by recent cuts to library services and about technological inclusion in school libraries. As we start two new series, Genealogy 101 and Good news, we welcome back our series What is a library? and From discord to discourse. Plus, we have a new installment of our regular column Open for all?