On June 10, 2021 the Ontario Library Service and the OPLA Research and Evaluation Committee partnered to host a panel session and live ONLibChat on the fine free movement in public libraries. Throughout the first half of 2021 the list of Canadian public libraries going fine free has continued to grow. Going fine free has […]
Last fall, amid news that the OLS-North and SOLS would be amalgamating, I indicated that I would retire at the end of March 2021. It’s hard to believe that day is quickly approaching. Like many before me who’ve reached this milestone, it comes with feelings of excitement and sadness. It is the culmination of 33 […]
In a series of guest blogs library board members Andrew Hallikas and Caroline Goulding will be exploring the question What can you do as a Library Board to improve the relationship between your municipal council and the public library? In this post we will be focusing on how some core responsibilities and philosophies that can […]
In a series of guest blogs library board members Andrew Hallikas and Caroline Goulding will be exploring the question What can you do as a Library Board to improve the relationship between your municipal council and the public library? In this post we will be focusing on the external tools you can use to help […]
I have been thinking about the use of the word ‘budget’ in the public library world. That is, not the use of the word budget as it refers to the document used to track expected revenues and expenses each year, but the use of the word budget in relation to the financial support of the […]
In a series of guest blogs library board members Andrew Hallikas and Caroline Goulding will be exploring the question What can you do as a Library Board to improve the relationship between your municipal council and the public library? In this post we will be focusing on politics. Read Part One. Be Proactive and Be […]
In a series of guest blogs, Fort Frances Public Library board member Andrew Hallikas and Ontario Library Boards’ Association President Caroline Goulding will be exploring the question: What can you do as a Library Board to improve the relationship between your municipal council and the public library? Posts will be published every two weeks. Don’t […]
Public libraries in Ontario have followed the same provincial legislation since 1984, with a few minor changes. Our role at the Ontario Library Service is to help library board members and staff members sort out the framework for library service within this legislation. Section 3 (3) of the Public Libraries Act states that “A public […]
Since 2012, public and private sector employers have been implementing accessibility standards set out by the Accessibility for Ontario with Disabilities Act (AODA) and its regulations. The process is iterative with requirements coming into force gradually. On January 1, 2021, public libraries are required to makes website and web content accessible. In order to comply, […]
On September 18th, the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries released the form for “One Week Survey of Public Library Use”; a survey better known as the “Typical Week Survey”. This information is collected during a week without a statutory holiday in October, November or the first part of December. The information collected […]