News & Updates

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…

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…

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…

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…

First Nation Public Library Week SKAÍHWA’T  |  DGOGAABWI  |  STANDING TOGETHER October 2-6, 2023 First Nation Public Library Week (FNPLW) takes place each October as part of Canadian Library Month. You are invited to use the downloadable resources on the First Nation Public Library Week website to assist with FNPLW programming and events at your…

Freshly released, Ontario Library Association (OLA) is proud to share the graphics and branding for Ontario Public Library Week 2023: Libraries for Life / Biblios pour la vie. New Theme for 2023 Libraries for Life / Biblios pour la vie We are happy to share a new theme for Canadian Library Month and OPLW! “Libraries…

CFLA’s new Climate Action Committee is searching for members. We welcome self nominations from interested individuals who are members of a CFLA/FCAB member association. Members must be a member of at least one CFLA-FCAB member organization and will serve on the committee as subject matter experts and not organization representatives. At largest this committee will…

Please join me in welcoming Susan McGibbon to our Board of Directors as Rural Caucus Trustee. Susan joins us from the Georgian Bay Public Library Board. Here is a short bio from Susan: I joined the Board of the Township of Georgian Bay Public Library (GBPL) as a member in 2019. I took over as as…

We are pleased to welcome Anne Smith to the FOPL Board of Directors. Anne is the new Small Medium Caucus Trustee and joins us from the Innisfil IdeaLAB and Public Library board. Anne Smith is a retired Financial Services Industry executive (was based in Toronto). She moved to Innisfil 10 years ago and quite quickly…

We are pleased to welcome David Harvie to our board of directors. David is our representative for our new Former Library Leaders Caucus. David Harvie has spent 28 years in the public library sector, which focused on digital literacy, library automation, IT, policy development and library administration. He was the first web editor of the…

The Guardian reports that an English study of libraries show that they generate at least £3.4 billion in yearly value. Researchers hope their report will change the way local and national governments invest in community services. Click here to read on.

The website Statecraft analyzed 1626 books that have been reported to PEN America and the American Library Association as banned. Author Arman Madani sought to find out exactly what these banned books have in common. The results point to a concerning shift in the US that Canadian Libraries should look out for. Read the full…