NEWSROOM
September 2023
FOPL and OLA have created a new government relations priorities document to guide our advocacy work throughout the fall and winter. While this document may look familiar, there are two main changes to note; Our ask regarding the Provincial Libraries Operating Grant has changed. We are now asking for an increase to the PLOG of an additional $25 million annually on top of the existing $21 million grant. The additional $25 million would restore the PLOG to a present-day value, addressing the...
Overdue: The Case for Canada’s Public Libraries
The Canadian Urban Institute has released a new report titled “Overdue: The Case for Canada’s Public Libraries”. It was written as part of the Canadian Urban Institute’s role “to highlight the critical components of the urban and community fabric that are essential to Canada’s social, economic and environmental resilience and post-pandemic recovery.” It includes lots of relevant data, a call to action, future priorities for libraries and information regarding the work that has been and...
Fill Out Our Survey!
A new strategic plan for our organization is currently underway. The Strategic Plan Working Group, comprised of FOPL Board members, has designed the following survey to gather feedback from our members. Please take the time to fill out our short survey. The survey will on remain open until October 21, 2023.
Summer 2023
FOPL attended the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) Conference earlier this summer and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conferences just last week to continue our campaign to reach out and spread awareness among our municipal partners. We spoke to hundreds of delegates at each, highlighting the importance of public libraries and discussing some of the larger issues our libraries are currently dealing with. A big thank you to Niagara...
CFLA/ Ex Libris Association – W. Kaye Lamb Award for Service to Seniors
Deadline approaching! - Applications due October 2nd. CFLA/ Ex Libris Association - W. Kaye Lamb Award for Service to Seniors Every other year, the Canadian Federation of Library Associations / Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques and ExLibris Association invite Canadian libraries to be considered for the W. Kaye Lamb Award. The award is given to that library which offers innovative and excellent service to their senior population. A list of past winners can be viewed here:...
Book Challenges in Libraries Surge to New Record
Documented attempts to restrict library materials rose 20% in the first eight months of 2023 On September 19, the American Library Association (ALA) announced findings that challenges to books and other library materials and services are on pace to set a record for the third straight year in 2023. The release reads, in part: ALA has released new preliminary data documenting a continued uptick in attempts to censor books and materials in public, school, and academic libraries during the first...
Centre for Free Expression (CFE) Intellectual Freedom Learning & Development Course
Over the past year, the Centre for Free Expression (CFE), in conjunction with the Edmonton Public Library (EPL), has developed a course for libraries to use for staff learning and development on intellectual freedom. CFE will provide virtual train-the-trainer sessions for staff whom libraries select to deliver the intellectual freedom course. The train-the-trainer sessions will review the material in the intellectual freedom course, describe the options built into the course so it can be...
W. Kaye Lamb Award for Service to Seniors
Every other year, the CanadianFederation of Library Associations / Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques and ExLibris Association invite Canadian libraries to be considered for the W. Kaye Lamb Award. The award is given to that library which offers innovative and excellent service to their senior population. A list of past winners can be viewed here. Named to commemorate Canada’s first National Librarian, William Kaye Lamb, OC, FRSC, the W. Kaye Lamb Award recognizes...
EXTENSION: 2023 Public Library Service Awards
The awards submission deadline has been extended to September 22, 2023 at 5:00pm. PLSA 2023 fillable submission form FR-CA PLSA 2023 fillable submission form [EN] PLSA Call for Submission 2023 FR-CA PLSA Call for Submission 2023 [EN]
Libraries as Battlegrounds: Defending Access to Information in a Polarized World
Libraries as Battlegrounds: Defending Access to Information in a Polarized World Monday, September 11, 2023 at 1- 2pm ET What's at stake when libraries and librarians become targets for censorship? As institutions whose mandates often include the furthering of democracy and prioritizing equal access, libraries are becoming critical battlegrounds between disparate forces, facing pressures to restrict collections, events, even access to our public spaces. What happens to librarianship as a...