School Library Advocacy
NEW School Library Advocacy Postcard
Core Education Funding and the Impact on School Libraries - 2024
In May 2024, the OSLA Council wrote to the Minister of Education to express concern with the new Core Education Funding model and its impact on school libraries, library staff and the critical contributions they make to curriculum delivery and student success.
The letter highlighted that these changes to education funding will directly lead to further reductions in school library access, make it easier for school boards to reduce or eliminate these vital learning resources, while undoing positive progress towards accountability for school library funding introduced under the Minister’s leadership.
Advocate for School Libraries
Want to get involved? Join OSLA’s Save Our School Libraries campaign to raise awareness on at-risk school library funding.
School Library Advocacy 2-pager
Need help demonstrating the value of school libraries and school library staff?
Download our advocacy 2-pager which answers the following questions:
- What is a school library?
- Who are school library professionals?
- Why should a school library professional select the materials for my child’s school library?
- How does the school library differ from the public library?
- When students lose access to a school library, what are the consequences?
- What is the impact of restricting or banning age-appropriate books?
A Guide to the Selection and Deselection of School Library Resources - 2023
Last Updated: July 31, 2023
French adaptation forthcoming.
How are resources curated for a school library? Who is in charge of the selection and removal of resources? What happens when a resource is challenged by a member of the school community?
Discover the answers to these questions and more in OSLA’s “A Guide to the Selection and Deselection of School Library Resources”.
This guide 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.
Additional Resources - Collection Development & Intellectual Freedom
- OLA on School Boards Banning & Restricting Books (Nov 2023)
- OSLA’s Letter to Ontario Directors of Education re: A Guide to the Selection and Deselection of School Library Resources (Nov 2023)
- Canadian School Libraries (CSL) Collection Diversity Toolkit
- CSL Statement: Book Challenges and Censorship in Canada’s School Libraries (May 24, 2023)
- Freedom of Expression Rights and the School Library (Mar 1, 2022, Dianne Oberg)
- OLA Statement on Intellectual Freedom and the Intellectual Rights of the Individual (2020)
- International Federation of Library Associations and Institution (IFLA) School Library Guidelines, 2nd revised edition (2015)
Download the Guide for more resources!
Questions to ask about your child's school library - 2024
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?
