There’s lots happening at OLA this week – fall is definitely in full swing!  

Canadian Library Month continues, and there is lots more ahead. Keep telling your library stories, keep making connections, and stay Loud for Libraries. 

Libraries have a role to play in the AI conversation 

Last week, I joined a series of AI opportunity-mapping workshops coordinated by Canadian Heritage, bringing together representatives from across Canada’s cultural sector to explore shared priorities and opportunities. 

I came to these conversations thinking less about how libraries might use AI and more about the role we can play in helping people understand it, access it equitably and think critically about its impact on our lives. 

This connects nicely with a new statement from the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), which I shared at our OCULA Sector Forum last week. CARL highlights the important role academic libraries play in building AI literacy and helping students navigate issues such as privacy, bias, academic integrity, and responsible use. 

Libraries have always helped people make sense of information and new technologies. AI is no different. We have expertise to bring into these conversations, and we should be helping to shape them, not just responding to the changes around us. 

I encourage you to read CARL’s statement and think about how we can continue to make the case for library expertise in this space. 

Welcome to OLA, Kate! 

A big OLA welcome to Kate Ripley, who is joining our team to cover Gina’s position while she’s on parental leave. We’re so happy to have Kate with us as we head into a busy few months. Please join me in giving her a warm welcome! 

Reading, learning and student success 

Last week, Meredith Tutching and Lily Kwok attended a People for Education event looking at how Canadian students are performing in reading, math and science, drawing on international PISA results. 

We know that reading for pleasure matters – and with that in mind, mark your calendars for this Thursday when the 2027 Forest of Reading lists are announced! It’s like Academy Award nominations day around here, except it’s not televised, and we don’t have to wake up at 4am.  

Municipal elections are almost here! 

We’re less than two weeks away from Ontario’s municipal elections! If you haven’t already, now is a great time to learn where your local candidates stand on libraries, share why libraries matter to your community and, most importantly, make a plan to vote. 

Remember, sometimes the most powerful message comes from the people who use and love their libraries. 

Lots to learn this fall 

We’ve got some fantastic professional learning opportunities coming up, and there’s a little something for everyone. 

October 28: Navigating Menopause in the Library Workplace 

Let’s talk about something we probably don’t talk about enough at work! This two-part virtual series explores perimenopause and menopause in the workplace, including what colleagues, managers and organizations can do to create more supportive environments. An important conversation, and one I’m glad we’re making space for. 

October 29: Sustainable Futures: Preparing Health Libraries for What’s Next 

OHLIA’s virtual conference looks at the changing world of health libraries, from AI and teaching to partnerships, collections and evolving roles. Lots of practical conversations about how we prepare for what’s next and build sustainable services. 

November 4: Rediscovering Joy in Librarianship 

I love this theme! With changing budgets, competing priorities and ever-expanding expectations, it’s easy to lose sight of what brought us to library work in the first place. OCULA’s full-day event is an opportunity to reconnect with curiosity, creativity and the things that make this profession so rewarding. 

Registration is open for all three events, and I hope you’ll find something that sparks your interest. 

That’s it for this week. Lots happening, lots to think about and lots of opportunities to connect with each other. 

À mardi prochain! Until next week!