FOPL will be hosting a Zoom info session on Thurs November 12, 12:45-2:15, Now What? A Post-Election Roundup: The Future of Local Governance and What It Means for Public Libraries featuring Dr. Kate Graham. 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 for the session will be provided the day prior to those who have registered. For non-members and Associate members, registration is $45 per person and will be invoiced separately. Registration closes Mon Nov 9, 5pm.
Session Info:
Now What? A Post-Election Roundup: The Future of Local Governance and What It Means for Public Libraries
Featuring Dr. Kate Graham
Ontario’s municipal elections are behind us, and a new term of council is beginning. But what comes next for local democracy, municipal governance, and Ontario’s public libraries?
Join FOPL for a timely and thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Kate Graham, municipal governance researcher and expert in local democracy and leadership, as we unpack the election results and explore what the changing political landscape means for public libraries.
With Strong Mayor powers, shifting provincial-municipal relationships, and growing pressures on local governments, public library leaders are navigating an increasingly complex governance environment.
This session will explore:
- The post-election landscape: What the municipal election results tell us about the future of local leadership, governance, and democracy in Ontario.
- The changing balance of power: How Strong Mayor powers and evolving municipal governance structures may affect public library boards and their independence.
- Building relationships with new councils: Opportunities for library leaders to engage newly elected officials, strengthen relationships, and position libraries for success in the new term.
- Libraries as strategic community partners: How public libraries can align with municipal priorities and contribute to community solutions while maintaining strong, independent governance.
- The future of local democracy: What current trends in civic engagement, public trust, and municipal decision-making mean for community institutions.
Whether your municipality has welcomed a new council or returned familiar faces, this session will provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The election may be over, but the work of building strong local governance is just beginning.
Join us for an engaging discussion about what comes next and how Ontario’s public libraries can navigate, influence, and thrive in this evolving landscape.