Supporting our members is at the heart of the OLA and the advancement of libraries is what drives our work. As an organization, we engage with the provincial governments to take actions that drive lasting change in the library sector.
Library Sector News
Advocacy News
Library Day at Queen’s Park
Library Day at Queen’s Park November 14-15, 2023 PHOTO: OLA & FOPL representatives with Hon. Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and MPP …
OLA on School Boards Banning & Restricting Books
OLA on School Boards Banning & Restricting Books November 2023 “The Ontario Library Association (OLA) is deeply concerned by the growing number of attempts to …
OLA & FOPL’s Updated Advocacy Priorities
OLA & FOPL’s Updated Advocacy Priorities September 2023 OLA & FOPL have created a new advocacy priorities document to guide our government relations work. While …
Archive
OSLA has published “A Guide to the Selection and Deselection of School Library Resources”, which provides:
- information, best practices, and resources to support the selection and deselection of school library learning resources.
- resources to help school boards navigate concerns, questions, and/or challenges related to school library materials.
This resource is for school library professionals, educators, staff, administrators, school boards, students, and families. The guide was developed with the general public in mind, for anyone interested in understanding how resources are curated for a School Library Learning Commons (SLLC).
Freshly released, OLA is proud to share the graphics and branding for Ontario Public Library Week 2023: Libraries for Life / Biblios pour la vie.
“Libraries For Life / Biblios pour la vie” is a celebration of libraries as a lifelong institution. There is a library for everyone at every stage of their life. Whether you’re a kid discovering the joy of reading, a student preparing for an exam, a new grad applying for jobs, or a senior attending a community group, the library is there for you!
Be sure to celebrate Canadian Library Month and OPLW on social media with the hashtag #LibrariesForLife / #bibliospourlavie
Working alongside our partners at the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL), OLA is continuing advocacy for Ontario’s libraries. Our 2023 Budget Recommendations are:
- Maintain critical provincial funding for Ontario’s public libraries at current levels and work with municipalities and the Federal government to prevent unsustainable cuts to public library funding.
- Working alongside First Nations Public Library leaders, rapidly implement a sustainable funding model for public libraries on reserve to ensure that these important local hubs are fully-funded and viable. This includes enhancing the existing direct provincial funding support for public libraries on reserve to sustainably fund library operations and ensure a living income for frontline library staff in these communities.
- Provide critical e-learning support and fair access to modern, digital resources for all Ontario public libraries through the creation of an Ontario Digital Public Library, thereby leveraging the province’s significant purchasing power to give all Ontarians access to a common core of high-quality e-learning & online resources and more e-books.
Read OLA and FOPL’s joint 2023 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission
This Ontario Provincial Election, you can help capture the attention of political parties and candidates & secure their support.
- Meet with Candidates or Campaign Staff (Starting now!)
- Write or email a letter / questionnaire to local Candidates (Later this spring)
- Engage through social media (Later this spring)
- Ask key questions at town hall meetings and all-candidates debates (Later this spring)
See OLA and FOPL’s 2022 Elections Toolkit for tips, templates and more
Parents, you can help advocate for your child’s school library: Ask your child’s school principal or school board trustee these 3 questions:
- Does my child still have access to school library resources and to a qualified school library professional? How?
- Is a qualified school library professional responsible for selecting the books in my child’s school library?
- What is your plan for the school library next year?
- Keep local public libraries across Ontario sustainable. Enhance provincial operating funding for public libraries and ensure that this increased support reaches those libraries where it is most needed.
- Working alongside First Nations Public Library leaders, rapidly implement a sustainable funding model for public libraries on reserve to ensure that these important local hubs are fully-funded and viable. This includes increasing direct provincial funding support to sustainably fund library operations and ensure a living income for frontline library staff in these communities.
- Provide critical e-learning support and fair access to modern, digital resources for all Ontario public
Read OLA and FOPL’s joint 2022 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission
Advocacy Representatives and Partners
The OLA’s Board of Directors supports all OLA advocacy activities. Certain advocacy issues are also the responsibility of:
- OLA Advocacy Committee
- OLA Indigenous Advisory Council
- OLA Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- OLA Climate Action Committee
- OLA Anti-Racism Committee
The OLA is a member of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations/Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB), which is our voice for advocacy issues with a national scope. We are also an affiliate member of the National Indigenous Knowledge & Language Alliance, who is working with partners to unify and amplify the voices of Indigenous Peoples in the community practices of Indigenous knowledge, cultural memory, and Indigenous ways of knowing.
Take Action
For more information about library sector news and how the OLA is driving change, please contact Lily Kwok, Advocacy & Research Officer.
