Oops, we’re a day late, sorry. Let’s blame the holiday Monday?
Happy back-to-school season, everyone! There’s something about September that always feels like a fresh start – new routines, new notebooks, and a pencil case full of sharpened Laurentian pencil crayons. Ahhh, the memories.
I mentioned that last week Lily and I attended Markham Public Library’s staff development day – and it was such a fantastic session. We talked about what it means to be Loud for Libraries and how everyone can be an advocate, no matter their role. Advocacy doesn’t always mean meeting with elected officials. It can be sharing a story, talking about the impact of your work, or helping someone better understand why libraries matter.
“Where are the scary books?”
“Do you have any fantasy like Percy Jackson?”
“I like sports. Any novels about that?”
If you’ve worked a day in a school library, chances are you’ve heard similar questions.
For many educators, the arrival of artificial intelligence in schools can feel a little like the opening scene of a Star Wars film…
There is always that point in the school year, after everyone is settled, orientation is complete and the excitement of our first library book check-out settles, where I find students start returning to their favourite reads. But we have so many great books in the library!
This issue’s “Author Spotlight” feature is veering into new territory. We decided that what would really help our library staff members as they return to schools in September would be to connect you all with Colby Sharp.
OPLA Council’s 2026 workplan is guided by OLA’s broader strategic plan and its three priorities:
• Champion libraries to secure the future through advocacy.
• Invest in people to strengthen the sector through education.
• Create value and build belonging through OLA membership.
As Ontario’s public libraries continue to evolve, one thing remains constant: we are stronger when we learn from one another. The OPLA Forum is new, and we are still discovering all the ways it can support and strengthen our community.
Back-to-school season is just around the corner! With Ontario colleges and universities getting ready to welcome new and returning students, they’re busy hosting open houses, social activities and pop-ups. Last Wednesday, OLA joined in on the fun with Melissa, making her way to Thunder Bay to host an outreach event at both Confederation College and Lakehead University.
I’m back! Technically.
After 10 days in South Korea for the IFLA World Library and Information Congress, my body is back in Ontario, my brain is somewhere over the Pacific, and the 13-hour time difference continues to make a compelling argument that 4pm is a perfectly reasonably time to go to sleep.
I’m still processing everything I learned and experienced at IFLA. There’s a lot to unpack, and I suspect pieces of it will continue to show up in my thinking – and this blog – for months to come.
