Mar 14, 2023 | FOPL News
The Federation of Ontario Public Libraries has received some attention that past few days as we make our pitch to the Ontario Government for a province wide Digital Public Library. The Canadian Press report by Allison Jones titled, “Libraries ask for Ontario-wide digital system to ensure equal access to materials” was published in 56 news outlets today, March 14th. Notable outlets that carried the story, ordered by highest potential media reach, are: CTV News Toronto Global News The Toronto Star CP24 City News Kitchener The Toronto Sun Yahoo! News Canada FOPL was covered in several broadcast outlets, in both television and radio. It was mentioned in 20 unique outlets, being broadcast multiple times on some stations. The most notable broadcast hits are those from CityNews 680, CP24 and CBC Radio Sudbury. For those who are not yet FOPL members, but are interested in learning more about it ask, we encourage you to read our Provincial Budget Submission. This outlines our three main priorities and some background info about the Ontario Digital Public Library. We’re asking for an investment of 9.4 mil annually for the Ontario Digital Public Library (ODPL). This was calculated in 2019 based on consortium models from other provinces who have something like the ODPL already in place. Our Executive Director, Dina Stevens, will be involved in interviews throughout the week on this subject. Check out the CP24 interview HERE Check out the Global News interview HERE Check out The Agenda interview HERE Check out the ICI Radio-Canada Première CBEF HERE Check out the CBC 99.9 FM (CBCS) interview HERE Check out the CBC Radio One 89.1FM...
Mar 3, 2023 | Uncategorized
While pertaining mostly to the US, this interesting article details the current threats to lending electronic books. Read on:...
Feb 22, 2023 | Uncategorized
Le français suit The Canadian Federation of Library Associations and the Centre for Free Expression are pleased to announce an agreement in principle to maintain a joint library challenges database. Libraries will be able to report and access information on intellectual freedom challenges and issues through a single CFLA/CFE portal. The two organizations look forward to signing a Memorandum of Understanding in the near future.” For more information, contact: James L. Turk Wendy Wright Director, Centre for Free Expression Chair, CFLA-FCAB Intellectual Freedom Committee jim@jameslturk.com IFCchair@cfla-fcab.ca (613) 277-0488 (250) 643-3566 ___________________________________________________________ La Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (FCAB) et le Centre pour la liberté d’expression (CLE) ont le plaisir d’annoncer la conclusion d’un accord de principe concernant le maintien d’une base de données conjointe sur les défis des bibliothèques. Les bibliothèques pourront ainsi publier et obtenir des renseignements sur les défis et les enjeux liés à la liberté intellectuelle sur un seul portail FCAB/CLE. Les deux organisations comptent signer sous peu un protocole d’entente à cet égard. Pour en savoir plus : James L. Turk ...
Feb 16, 2023 | Uncategorized
“Ontario Library Association’s President’s Award for Exceptional Achievement acknowledges an outstanding action or contribution that has in a major or unique way enhanced or furthered librarianship in Ontario. The selection is at the full discretion of the President of the OLA. The award is only given if the achievement has a significant impact on the profession or the Association.” The award was presented by Sabrina Saunders, OLA President, and CEO of The Blue Mountains Public Library. Feather Maracle, CEO of Six Nations Public Library accepted the award on behalf of the First Nation Public Librarians at the OLA Super Conference in Toronto, Ontario on February 2, 2023. Watch the Video...
Feb 14, 2023 | Uncategorized
The following positions available on our board that are currently vacant. Trustee positions are filled by member library board members. FOPL Board members are required to attend four annual board meetings plus two auxiliary meetings (for the audit approval and post AGM). Sitting on our working groups is voluntary. Board Vacancies, positions which no one currently sits: Large Urban Caucus Trustee Rural Caucus Trustee Small Medium Caucus Trustee Board Positions up for election, positions which currently have a board member serving: First Nations Caucus CEO Large Urban Caucus CEO Northern Caucus CEO We also have several vacancies on our working groups. These working groups are volunteer positions comprised of staff from our member libraries. They can be CEOs or staff put forward by the CEO. Marketing and Communications Working Group Volunteer members are needed with a background in marketing to help advise our strategic marketing plans and advocacy materials. Two positions available. French Translation Working Group Volunteer members are needed to assist in creating French translation items and advise which advocacy materials should be provided in translation. Two positions available. Government Relations Working Group Member CEOs are needed on this working group, preferably from small, medium or rural libraries. Volunteer members will advise on provincial budget and election strategies and support FOPL’s work with our government relations firm. Three positions available. For more detailed information about our working groups, please visit:...
Jan 27, 2023 | Uncategorized
FOPL was recently interviewed by CBC Sudbury to provide comment on the Public Library Operating Grant, the sector’s largest funding envelope. FOPL was asked for comments after the Sudbury Public Library asked for an increase to their budget, a familiar position many of our libraries are in after soaring inflation rates and the post-pandemic echo. Read the full story here:...
Jan 17, 2023 | Uncategorized
The Annual General Meeting for the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries will take place virtually via Zoom on Friday, APRIL 21, at 10:00am. Registration will begin at 9:30am so please be sure to log in prior to 10am so that you can be marked in attendance. The draft agenda and all supporting documents can be found on the website in the members section, https://fopl.ca/agm/. It will be updated 30 days prior to the AGM. Only members in good standing are eligible to attend and vote at the AGM. Registration To attend the AGM, please register on Eventbrite. The zoom link to attend will be sent via Eventbrite after registration. For those who cannot attend, please fill out a proxy form (more info below). REGISTER HERE ******************* Dates to note: Any member resolutions are due no later than 30 days prior to the AGM; Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 at 4:00pm. Nominations or self-nominations for board vacancies are due February 13, 2023. Proxy forms can be sent in until Thursday, April 20th at 4:00pm. Nominations for Board Positions The following positions will be available for the 2023 to 2025 FOPL Board: Rural Caucus Trustee (currently vacant) Large Urban Caucus Trustee (currently vacant) Large Urban Caucus CEO Small Medium Caucus Trustee (currently vacant) Northern Caucus CEO Please send nominations to dinastevens@fopl.ca. If only one qualified nominee is received by the deadline, that applicant will be acclaimed. In the event of multiple nominations for the same position, a Caucus election will occur in the month of March. Notice of Motions According to Bylaw 1, Section 9.2, resolutions shall be prepared and submitted to the Board no later than 30 days prior...
Dec 15, 2022 | Uncategorized
Grants Available for 2023 The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is pleased to announce the grants available for next year to support the essential work of non-profit organizations and grassroots groups across the province. OTF welcomes applications from eligible organizations that provide direct programs and services to Ontarians and whose projects align with the grants they are applying for. Resilient Communities Fund Grant application period 1: Application will be available on January 4, 2023, with an application deadline of February 1, 2023, at 5 PM ET. Grant application period 2: Application will be available on September 27, 2023, with an application deadline of October 25, 2023, at 5 PM ET. Capital grant Grant application period: Application will be available on May 17, 2023, with an application deadline of June 14, 2023, at 5 PM ET. More information will be available next year to help your organization apply for a Capital grant. Youth Opportunities Fund Youth Innovations and Family Innovations grant: The grant application will be available as of May 31, 2023. The expression of interest deadline is August 23, 2023, at 5 PM ET. The grant application deadline is November 1, 2023, at 5 PM ET. System Innovations grant: The grant application will be available as of April 3, 2023. The lead organization registration deadline is May 31, 2023. The grant application deadline is June 21, 2023, at 5 PM ET. Upcoming Grant Deadline: Resilient Communities Fund The Resilient Communities Fund supports community-based organizations that deliver programs and services in Ontario and need funding to recover and build capacity, resilience and sustainability. Grants support the delivery of projects...
Dec 13, 2022 | Uncategorized
Interesting article from the Globe and Mail on the power of Public Libraries –...
Dec 7, 2022 | Uncategorized
FOPL has created a new Caucus for representation, Former Library Leaders. Former or retired CEOs are invited to join our membership and share with us the wealth of their knowledge and experience. Annual membership is $75 and a seat on the board of directors will be held for representation. Interested persons can email admin@fopl.ca or dinastevens@fopl.ca for membership or more...
