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.

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

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.

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

Our conversation around the opening statement “A master’s degree in library science should be required for anyone wanting to be a librarian. True or false? And why?” finishes with this third panel.

There is a strong need to explicitly acknowledge deeply embedded racist thinking in order to move towards systemic change in public libraries. 

Jace Harrison, winner of the 2020 OCULA Lightning Strikes, shares her research on reconciliation in Canadian libraries as it relates to metadata.

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

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.

We’re looking for a volunteer who loves metadata and is interested working on a short-term project.

If tweeting, analytics, and managing commentary interest you, then we invite you to join the Open Shelf team.

This particular blank space is waiting for members of the Ontario Library Association (OLA) community to fill it up, decorate it, contribute.