The Ontario Library Service-North Team invites you to Paths: A Virtual Conference, a full-day conference featuring an impressive list of speakers on a wide range of topics, including COVID-19 lessons and takeaways, digital resources, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

• Date:  September 23, 2020
• Time: 9:30am-3:30pm ET
  8:30am-2:30pm CT
• Cost:  No Charge

Staff morale and well-being play a key role in the library’s operations and ability to serve its users. Layoffs, disruptions and uncertainty about the future have all impacted staff morale in recent months. In this webinar, organizational psychology expert Jamie Gruman will speak to the types of support employees might need during a crisis and will also answer questions about your local situation.

• Date:  September 24, 2020
• Time: 11:00am-12:00pm ET
  10:00am-11:00am CT
• Cost:  $50+HST

From scheduling to videography to editing, feel confident producing videos that showcase your library’s programs and staff. In this webinar, East Gwillimbury Public Library’s Digital Literacy Specialist will help you create a strategy and plan to take your programs from concept to online post that works for your whole programming team.

• Date:  September 29, 2020
• Time: 10:00-11:00am ET
  9:00-10:00am CT
• Cost:  No charge

SOLS’ Digital Licensing Coordinator will review the products available through the Provincial and Supplemental Licensing Programs, provide tips on choosing the right content for your patrons, and answer any questions you may have about the process.
Ordering for Provincial Licensing runs from Sept. 21-Oct. 30, 2020.
Ordering for Supplemental Licensing runs from Sept. 28-Nov. 13, 2020.

• Date:  October 1, 2020
• Time: 2:00-3:00pm ET
  1:00-2:00pm CT
• Cost:   No Charge

Libraries are working to keep people safe, support economic recovery, and prove their worth. Communication is vital to the success of all three goals. This interactive online workshop will help you make communications plans for the months ahead. It will help you make the most of inexpensive tools, like social media. And it will help you deliver priority information to important audiences.

• Date:  October 7, 2020
• Time: 10:00-11:30am ET
  9:00-10:30am CT
• Cost:  $85+HST

Cortex Design introduces the UVC Buddy in an interactive and educational webinar hosted by the Southern Ontario Library Service.

UVC Buddy is a new and innovative device that offers a complete disinfection solution for library materials, personal belongings and backpacks through the power of UVC light. Join us for this webinar where we will dive into the science behind this machine, how it works, and the important role it will play in ensuring people’s safety in public spaces.

• Date:  October 19, 2020
• Time: 2:00-3:00pm ET
  1:00-2:00pm CT
• Cost:  No Charge

You are invited to a coaching call presented by the Ontario Trillium Foundation that focuses on the OTF’s Resilient Communities Fund. The deadline for applying to the Resilient Communities Fund is December 2, 2020.

Registered charities are charitable organizations, public foundations, or private foundations that are created and resident in Canada.

Public libraries can apply to be registered charities. In fact, more than 80 public libraries and 47 Friends of the Library groups from across Ontario already have that status. Join Peggy Malcolm as she reviews the process of becoming a registered charity and see what documents are needed for an application. With help from a library CEO, she will also review how libraries have used their charitable status to enhance fundraising for the library.

• Date:  October 28, 2020
• Time: 2:00-3:00pm ET
  1:00-2:00pm CT
• Cost:  No Charge

COVID-19 has had an impact on all areas of library service, including the board’s goals and plans for the year. The strategic plan is the board’s roadmap, and it should be reviewed to ensure that the board’s work stays on track in uncertain times. Join OLS staff as they provide tips for reviewing and revising your strategic plan, and ensuring that your goals continue to be relevant.

• Date: November 10, 2020
• Time: 3:30-4:30pm ET
  2:30-3:30pm CT
• Cost:  No Charge

Waterloo Public Library uses a comprehensive approach to address digital literacy: compulsory monthly tech training for all library service staff (Tech Tune Up program) and a one-on-one tech support service for library customers (Tech Connect program). Participate in this webinar to learn details about how to set up similar programs in your own libraries.

• Date:  November 19, 2020
• Time: 11:00am-12:00pm ET
  10:00am-11:00am CT
• Cost:  $35+HST