The Case for Making Virtual Public Meetings Permanent They can't completely replace in-person meetings, but conducting more public business online reduces costs, gives more people a voice and cuts down on disruption. It also can lead to better policy. https://www.governing.com/now/The-Case-for-Making-Virtual-Public-Meetings-Permanent.html  

You too can sound like an expert AND increase your vocabulary! Emerging Pandemic Diseases: How We Got to COVID-19 David M. Morens Anthony S. Fauci https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(20)31012-6#%20 Summary Infectious diseases prevalent in humans and animals are caused by pathogens that once emerged from other animal hosts. In addition to these established infections, new infectious diseases periodically emerge. In extreme cases they may cause pandemics such as COVID-19; in other...

10 Ideas for a Community-Based COVID-19 Recovery By: Lisa Attygalle As cities respond and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an opportunity to build back better—to center recovery efforts on improving the outcomes for our most vulnerable citizens, our civic life, and our planet. We've put together 10 Ideas were co-created by thought leaders and staff, and form part of a larger guide showcasing ideas, stories and resources for engaging the whole community through COVID-19 to work...

The definition of close contact has been revised. “Close contact” was previously defined as “contact with someone at 2 metres or less for 2 minutes or more.” Toronto Public Health has now adopted the Ministry of Health definition of “close (less than 2 metres) prolonged unprotected contact” or “direct contact with infectious body fluids of the case (e.g., coughed on or sneezed on).” Prolonged contact is 15 minutes or more. Usual COVID policy: Those with possible symptoms are still required to...

Below please find an important reminder to share with your members about potential additions to the Challenge Survey.  The survey is a national database of challenges received regarding library materials, programmes and spaces. On behalf of the Intellectual Freedom Committee, thank you for your attention and participation. -- Rebecca Raven, Executive Director CFLA - FCAB Please forward to the individual(s) responsible for managing Intellectual Freedom Challenges in your library. Dear Library...

Ontario's back-to-school plan has no mandatory COVID-19 testing. Here's why experts say it's the right call Students may be advised to go for testing, but it is never an absolute requirement https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-mandatory-covid-testing-1.5709314  

Dear Stephen, In general, we like to keep our emails strictly related to Our Public Library.  But, from time to time, the Toronto Public Library Workers Union sponsors general interest educational events, and I want to bring to your attention an upcoming opportunity. On September 10th, from 7:00 PM (EDT) to 8:30 PM, the Toronto Public Library Workers Union is hosting a Zoom webinar with three of Canada’s most dynamic and successful activists. They will be sharing tips and best practices about...

REALM Project Test 4 Results Available; Scientists Find Virus Still Detectable After Six Days on Four Common Library Materials When Stacked Filed by Gary Price on September 3, 2020 https://www.infodocket.com/2020/09/03/realm-project-test-4-results-available-scientists-find-virus-still-detectable-after-six-days-on-four-common-library-materials-when-stacked/ "From OCLC/WebJunction: As part of the REALM Project’s research, Battelle has conducted four natural attenuation studies to provide...

REALM: Frequently Asked Questions OCLC / 02 September 2020 https://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/realm-faq.html "These frequently asked questions about the REALM project address information in the following categories (use the link to jump to the section): About the project | Laboratory testing methodology | Materials | Transmission | Quarantine | Disinfection and remediation | Other New questions will be added to the list as needed. If your question is not answered here, please submit...

REALM Project update: Test 4 Results Announced 03 September 2020 https://www.oclc.org/research/news/2020/realm-project-test-four-results-announced.html The REALM project has published the results of the fourth round of Battelle’s laboratory testing for COVID-19 on five materials common to archives, libraries, and museums. Four of the five items—hardcover book cover, softcover book cover, plastic protective cover, and DVD case—were part of Test 1, but in this round, the materials were stacked...