policy development – 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.

Features

Political correctness and society—have we really gone mad?

It seems entirely proper that people about whom the words are used can also have a say in how they like to be described and referred to.

Features

Values in action: A conversation about library governance

“To govern: To conduct the policy, actions, and affairs of (a state, organization, or people).” As is so often the case, the dictionary definition…

Features

Guns, knives & other prohibited items: What happens when good 3D printers go bad?

When the St. Thomas Public Library started investigating 3D printers as a new service several years ago, one of the frequent responses I would…

Features

Ontario’s culture strategy

Whenever I travel around the world I always visit the local public library because I think that this is an indicator of how progressive…

Open for All?

Privacy Concerns & Access to Information in Homebound Services

Homebound Services is a department within the Ottawa Public Library that selects and delivers library materials to customers who are unable to access a…

Features

Academic Libraries and the Development of Accessibility Policy

Some thoughts on a recent student survey on document accessibility conducted at the University of Guelph.

Features

Leadership and the Development of Library Accessibility Policies

This year I have had the pleasure to be a part of a hiring committee for a new librarian position and, rolling up my…

Features

Systems

Systems are policies, procedures and processes which enable a library to operate. They are the rules and regulations which determine attitudes and behaviour. They…

Open for All?

The Future Now – The Royal Society of Canada Report

Impressive. Important. Urgent. The Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel report on the future of libraries and archives was released November 13 (The Future…

From the Editor

Where’s the Government Support for Broadband?

Catherine Middleton is a Ryerson management professor who spoke at the 2014 OLA Superconference on the importance of broadband Internet to the Canadian economy.…

Policy Wonk