library policy – OPEN SHELF

Things are not fine: Fines in the library

In the past, late fees were seen as a method of ensuring that our books were returned and that people were responsible when borrowing materials. It is, however, more complex than that—fines neither raise funds nor align with public libraries’ purpose. In fact, charging late fees for overdue materials is doing more harm than good.

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Four RA strategies to promote new voices and inclusion

We can use Reader’s Advisory to both ensure that our communities feel seen and that they discover new voices and cultures by working on polices, merchandising, book lists, and handselling.

Readers' Advisory

Not too fine a point: COVID-19 reveals the origins of public libraries as agents of social control

In Library Land, the pandemic has exposed inherent fragilities including discriminatory class and race based practices. In turn, these praxis reveal that public libraries have a history of being agents of social control and exclusion.

Open for All?

Black Lives Matter: Does silence signal complacence in public libraries?

I have been waiting for a statement from my local library on the recent protests aimed at confronting systemic anti-black racism in our North American society and across the Western world. It has been weeks and I am still waiting.

Wildcard*

Theory in practice II: Moving from systemic racism to anti-racism in Ontario public libraries

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

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Makerspaces: Service or learning resource?

At the 2017 Computers in Libraries conference, a librarian asked “Do you use your 3D printer, as a service or resource?" This seemed like…

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