Libraries, Publishing, and Bookselling: Responses to Globe and Mail Op-Ed https://librarianship.ca/blog/libraries-publishing-and-bookselling-responses-to-globe-and-mail-op-ed/ August 8, 2020 On July 25, The Globe and Mail published an opinion piece by Kenneth Whyte, former National Post editor and current publisher of Sutherland House Books, where he blames the closing of independent bookstores and publishers’ financial troubles on public libraries. Over the last few weeks, a number of...

Rural, northern boards grapple with Ontario's back-to-school plan Many questions remain unanswered as boards develop individual plans https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/rural-northern-boards-back-to-school-ontario-1.5677701  

Can Old Buildings Be Turned Into Libraries? A Sneak Peek Into an Upcoming Open Access Book by IFLA’s Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Special Interest Group (ENSULIB) Via Gary Price at LJ InfoDocket https://www.infodocket.com/2020/08/07/can-old-buildings-be-turned-into-libraries-a-sneak-peek-into-an-upcoming-open-access-book-by-iflas-environment-sustainability-and-libraries-special-interest-group-ensulib/ "From the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA): The book...

Lots of ideas here for Maker Space acquisitions These 35 items can help your kid learn at home https://boingboing.net/2020/08/08/these-35-items-can-help-your-k.html

The Atlantic: The coronavirus is never going away This pandemic was once counted in weeks, then months; now we measure time in seasons, and hope that doesn’t slip into years. Today, we recap three things we learned this week while covering the pandemic—and look ahead to what you can expect as the weather turns cold. Three Things We Learned 1. The outbreak may worsen come winter. That’s when the cold will bring many indoors. “We know that the biggest risk of spread for this virus is when...

NYC CHILD CARE PLAN INCLUDES USING LIBRARIES https://bookriot.com/nyc-child-care-plan-includes-using-libraries/  

Kenneth Whyte (selectively) responds to Libraries on his opinion piece: The libraries strike back What have we learned, apart from that I'm stupid and mean? ken whyte Aug 7 Two weeks ago, I argued in the Globe & Mail that the increasingly aggressive lending practices of public libraries are seriously undermining bookselling, the publishing industry, and author incomes. The article didn’t sit well with librarians (much more on this below). First, with apologies to those who read it, a quick...

BPAA Statement on Libraries POSTED 2020-08-06. August 6, 2020 Edmonton — The Book Publishers Association of Alberta (BPAA) issued the following statement, in response to an op-ed in the July 25th Globe and Mail: “The BPAA has a long-standing positive relationship with Alberta’s libraries. Through our interaction with them at the annual Alberta Library Conference, our partnership with them through the Read Alberta eBooks and Prairie Indigenous eBooks collections, and our ongoing relations as we...

News Release Ontario Supports Digital Economy in the North Funding will create new jobs and promote technology sector https://news.ontario.ca/mndmf/en/2020/08/ontario-supports-digital-economy-in-the-north.html August 7, 2020 10:30 A.M. Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines KENORA - The Ontario government is providing more than $1 million to support the technology sector, create jobs and help boost the digital economy in the North. Funding is being delivered to eight companies...

Webinar: How Pandemics Impact Library Buildings and Technology https://www.bibliotheca.com/webinar-pandemic-impacts-library-building-technology/ According to climate scientists, pandemics could become a regular occurrence. Join MSR Design, bibliotheca and a panel of library leaders as we turn our attention to the new normal. We will discuss how libraries can implement changes now and, in the future, to ensure safe spaces, the wellbeing of their users, and provide agility for libraries of the...