Ajax Public Library CEO Sarah Vaisler speaks with Ismaila Alfa on CBC’s “Fresh Air” to talk about upcoming drag queen storytimes. CEOs in Durham Region released a letter to counter recent pushback to the events being held and went on to speak about how the core of these programs is to promote acceptance, diversity and inclusion, something that resonates very strongly with public library values. Listen to the full segment here: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-193-fresh-air/clip/15987424-in-defense-drag-queen-storytime-durham-public-libraries

The Ontario Library Service continues to implement the Connecting Public Libraries Initiative, a $4.85M project investment made by the Province of Ontario to upgrade broadband internet service at approximately 50 public libraries in unserved and underserved communities across the province.  To date through the Connecting Public Libraries Initiative (CLI), 13 public library branches have been connected with improved speeds of at least 50/10mbps.  This improved connection reaches over 35,000 Ontarians providing more reliable connectivity through the local public library.  This will enable greater participation in critical services such as online health care, remote work, and online education. Today, we share the exciting news that Beausoleil First Nation Public Library has been connected.  With funding from this project, a new tower was constructed, which will enable the entire community to access faster and more reliable internet, not just the library. To read the full story, click here.

Researchers from McMaster University, Ontario Tech University and the University at Buffalo are conducting a study on digital literacy training initiatives for the general public led by public libraries. CULC and CFLA are two of the partner organizations on this SSHRC-funded project. The attached letter of information provides more details about the study. Please forward this email to administrators and instructors in your library who may be interested in completing a survey. The first 200 library administrators and 300 library instructors who fill out a survey are eligible to receive an optional $20 Amazon gift card. Library administrators are asked to fill out the following 30-minute survey: https://uoit.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0fbQNjCbPdQDNMG.  Instructors are asked to fill out the following 30-minute survey: https://uoit.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_56WIcRYLi1uZ4Gy. Instructors at the end of their survey will be asked if they can advertise a 15-minute survey to adult end-users in their classes. The first 300 instructors who fill out a survey and agree to advertise the end-user survey to adults in their classes are eligible to receive an optional, additional $5 towards their Amazon gift card. The researchers will not tell anyone who has or has not participated in the study. This study has been reviewed and cleared by the

Truth & Reconciliation Plan – FOPL The Indigenous Libraries Working Group has created the above linked document to guide the work of the federation as we strive towards reconciliation. FOPL, as a provincial federation, made up of Ontario library system members, has the opportunity to be a leader in Truth and Reconciliation work within our provincial library system. This document outlines areas where FOPL can be a catalyst for change and disruptor of current mores. Additionally, this document will provide a shortlist of efforts our library members may wish to address in their own systems.