Happy August! What’s that Taylor Swift line – August sipped away like a bottle of wine?
On that note, last week I headed out to Stratford to spend some time with the team at Stratford Public Library – and yes, I finally got to experience Summer Swiftie Celebration! A group of friends and I joined in the fun, and it was exactly the kind of joyful, community-building event that reminds you why libraries are so special. Huge congratulations to Krista and the SPL crew. They have mastered the art of taking library programming beyond their walls and into the community – exactly the kind of visibility libraries deserve.
I also had a great lunch with Mary Chevreau from the Canadian Urban Libraries Council. It’s always valuable to catch up with colleagues from across the library landscape and compare notes on the opportunities and challenges we’re all seeing. It’s also a reminder of how interconnected our work really is.
Advocacy work continued behind the scenes as well. OLA staff, together with leadership from OSLA, met with the Minister’s office from the Ministry of Education to continue conversations about the importance of school libraries and the essential role that qualified school library professionals play in achieving Ontario’s literacy goals. These meetings matter. Strong relationships with government don’t happen overnight, and maintaining open dialogue ensures that the voice of the library sector remains part of the conversation about student success.
This week, I’ll be packing my bags for Busan, South Korea, to attend the IFLA World Library and Information Congress. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues from Canada and around the world and bringing some new ideas back home.
If you’ll be at WLIC, please come and say hello! I’ll be presenting OLA’s Inclusive Libraries report during the poster sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday. Stop by, say hello, and I’ll have some special OLA swag waiting for visitors.
Have a wonderful week – annyeonghi gaseyo! (that is goodbye in Korean, thank you, Duo Lingo)
See you next Tuesday!
Meet the Author
Michelle Arbuckle
Executive Director, OLA
Michelle Arbuckle is OLA’s Executive Director. Reporting to the OLA Board of Directors, Michelle’s key responsibilities are government relations, advocacy, partnership development, the implementation of the strategic plan and supporting the exceptional OLA staff team. She is an avid lifelong learner, a tea sommelier, and wants to know your astrological sign.
