News & Updates

Ontario’s municipal elections are taking place on Monday, October 26, 2026, and FOPL and the Ontario Library Association (OLA) are encouraging public libraries across the province to help spread the word. We have created a set of ready-to-use Election Day graphics for libraries to share through their social media channels, websites, newsletters, digital screens, and…

A recording of the webinar "Intellectual Freedom and Bill 28 with Bill Turk" is available for members in the member dashboard. You can find it under events, linked directly here: https://fopl.ca/member-dashboard/events/  

CFLA opens Canadian Library Month 2026 by affirming that libraries across Canada stand together to defend the public’s right to read, a right that must not be limited by age or by government opinion. Legislative changes in Alberta have brought renewed attention to the need to fight censorship and surveillance in our libraries, and we must work together to ensure…

With Ontario’s municipal election approaching on October 26, 2026, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has released a new series of practical resources to help communities inform, engage and encourage more people to participate in local elections. Developed by AMO and Toronto Metropolitan University as part of AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project, the resources include…

FOPL Executive Director Dina Stevens recently joined Michelle Arbuckle on the Library Land Loves podcast for a timely conversation about Ontario’s upcoming municipal elections and what they mean for public libraries. In the episode, “Municipal Election Talk with FOPL’s Dina Stevens,” Dina reflects on conversations with municipal leaders at the recent AMO Conference and discusses…

FOPL will be hosting a Zoom info session on Tues October 6, 1:00-2:30, The Erosion of Local Governance and the Implications for Public Libraries with Bill Irwin.  A full description follows. Please register in order to access the info session.  Registration is FREE for full FOPL member libraries - their staff and boards.  Zoom link…

The Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) welcomes the Honourable Zee Hamid to his new role as Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. Minister Hamid was appointed to the portfolio on September 10 as part of changes to Ontario’s Executive Council. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming is an important partner for Ontario’s…

Public libraries have long been committed to intellectual freedom and to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for everyone. Increasingly, however, libraries are finding themselves at the centre of political and cultural debates that challenge these fundamental principles. FOPL invites library staff and board members to join us for an important virtual information session examining Alberta’s Bill…

Last week, FOPL was pleased to attend the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa, one of the province’s most important annual gatherings of municipal leaders, elected officials, and decision-makers. FOPL’s presence at AMO is an important part of our ongoing advocacy work. Municipal governments are essential partners in the success of Ontario’s…

The Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) has recently updated its Finance Policy and organizational Bylaws as part of our ongoing commitment to strong governance, transparency, and accountability. These updates help ensure that FOPL’s governance and financial practices continue to reflect the needs of the organization and provide a clear framework for responsible decision-making and…

On October 1, 2026, the Library Association of Alberta (LAA) is organizing an Alberta Public Libraries Day of Action, a province-wide initiative intended to highlight the essential role of public libraries in their communities while drawing attention to the significant work libraries are undertaking in response to recent changes to Alberta's Libraries Regulation. The Day…

FOPL at the AMO Conference FOPL will be attending the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa next week, where we will once again have a booth in the conference trade show. AMO is an important opportunity for FOPL to connect directly with municipal leaders from across the province and reinforce the essential…