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OLA 3 SPRING 2005 contents Vol 11 No.3

AWARDS SPRING OSLA Administrator of the Year 20 LEO HUTCHINSON Thames Valley District School Board

OSLA School Administrator of the Year Agnes Macphail Public School, Toronto District School Board 23 WAYNE HAMILTON Agnes Macphail Public School

OPLA Award for Leadership in Youth Services CHRISTINE DALGETTY 25 Burlington Public Library

OCULA Academic Librarian of the Year 05 DON KINDER 27 Ryerson University

OLBA W.J. Robertson Medallion Public Librarian of the Year 29 GEOFFREY P. NIE Ajax Public Library

OPLA James Bain Medallion Public Library Trustee of the Year 31 ETHAN MINGS Lincoln Public Library Board

OLITA Award for Technological Innovation The Reuben R. Sallows Digital Library 33 HURON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

OPLA Children’s Librarian of the Year DELILAH DEANE CUMMINGS 37 London Public Library

OSLA Teacher-Librarian of the Year

Features Loyola Catholic Secondary School, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board 40 CHRISTINE HOUSE Loyola Catholic Secondary School

OSLA Award for Special Achievement 42 ESTHER ROSENFELD Toronto District School Board

ACCESS 4 SPRING 2005 contents

Ontario Library Association 100 Lombard Street, Suite 303 Toronto, ON M5C 1M3 416-363-3388 / 1-866-873-9867 toll free 8 Ontario Snapshot FAX 416-941-9581 / 1-800-387-1181 toll free E-mail: [email protected] URL: http://www.accessola.com Published for members of the Ontario Library 12 Tales from the Front Lines Association four times per year. Access furthers the continu- ing education activities of the Association. The magazine is a forum on issues, a source of ideas for the improvement of librarianship in Ontario and a touchstone for the trends that 14 Flashpoint will affect the future development of the profession. ACCESS Editorial Board Patrick Gignac, College and University Libraries [email protected] 18 The World Outside Cathy Grant, Public Libraries [email protected] Susan Moroz, School Libraries [email protected] 46 Photo Essay Bob Ernest, Public Library Boards [email protected] Jean Foster, Library Information and Technology [email protected] 50 Eye on the Web ACCESS Department Editors Eva McDonald, The Last Word [email protected] Elyse Pike / Health Watch 52 Health Watch [email protected] Randee Loucks / Board Challenge [email protected] Paula de Ronde / Marketing 55 The Next Generation [email protected] Amanda Wakaruk / Eye on the Web [email protected] Sharon Munro / Humour 57 Readers’ Advisory [email protected] Candy Magowan / The Next Generation Magowan@fi s.utoronto.ca Sharron Smith / Reader’s Advisory [email protected] On The Cover: There were many genies in the Vicki Whitmell / The World Outside lamp at Super Conference 2005. Health Libraries’ [email protected] Sue Hendricks with OSLA’s Roberta Henley, Bruce Roxburgh / FixIT New York City Schools’ Barbara Stripling, Craig [email protected] Kielburger, Trustee of the Year Ethan Mings For the Ontario Library Association (shades and all) with Librarian of the Year, Geoff Lori Knowles, [email protected] Nie, the charms of the Sultan’s Tent, Education Larry Moore, [email protected] ©2005, Ontario Library Association. No part of this publication Institute partner Jane Dysart, Stephen Lewis, may be reproduced without the permission of the OLA and American researcher David Loertscher except by members in good standing. All rights reserved. were among the leaders and visionaries Ontario Library Association stimulating the 4,400 delegates. Presidents 2005 OLA President VICE-PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER SALES REPRESENTATIVES Cynthia Archer [email protected] Robert Thompson Jack Smith, OCULA President Gary Fustey, Sharon Munro [email protected] 5255 Yonge Street, Suite 1000 EDITOR Andrew Pattison, Toronto, ON M2N 6P4 Tim Friesen Kim Arnold, OLBA President Robert Thompson Steve Beauchamp Suzanne Culp [email protected] Don Mclaren 1-866-216-0860 ext. 229 BRANCH MANAGER OLITA President [email protected] Nancie Prive GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jean Foster [email protected] James T. Mitchell 1 Wesley Avenue, Suite 301 ACCOUNTING OPLA President Winnipeg, MB R3C 4C6 Sharon Komoski Cathy Matyas [email protected] Tel.: 1-866-201-3096 OSLA President Fax: 204-480-4420 ART DIRECTOR Anita Brooks Kirkland www.mediaedgepublishing.com Sean Rickner

Departments [email protected] Président d’ABFO Publication Mail Agreement 12010472 Please return undeliverable magazines to Ontario Library Association Nathalie Soini 100 Lombard Street, Suite 303, Toronto, ON M5C 1M3 [email protected]

OLA 5 SPRING 2005 Ontario Snapshot LIBRARY NEWS, PROGRAMS AND RECOGNITION

The Freedom to Read What do a former Berkeley Professor, an early 20th century lesbian, the author of a Gone with the Wind parody, and a famous photographer of nudes and fruit have in common? Ignacio Chapella, Radclyffe Hall, Alice Randall and Robert Mapplethorpe have all had their ideas, writings, and work censored. We are reading in critical times. Books and ideas are challenged and suppressed daily throughout the world. Even in Canada, there is an uneasy tension in all of us as we struggle to balance the values of intellectual freedom with the desire to protect others from something we feel is immoral, corrupt or just plain wrong. The University of Guelph library celebrated Freedom to Read Week with an event called Banned Out Loud which featured Professor Jacqueline Murray, Dean, College of Arts; Professor Ann Clark, Ontario Agricultural College; Dave Hudson, University of Guelph Alumnus; and Professor Sky Gilbert, College of Arts. They each read a banned passage and discussed it in the context of their own experience of censorship and intellectual freedom. Sky Gilbert (reading from his own play “BAN THIS “It was both exciting and rewarding SHOW”) and Dave Hudson (reading from Alice Randall’s to have this philosophical ideal THE WIND DONE GONE). honoured by the readers at this event” said librarian Jane Burpee. This event was coordinated by Jane as well as library staff Mary Grebenc, Pascal Lupien, Ron MacKinnon, Jenny Marvin, and Lorna Rourke.

Lifescapes at the Orillia Public Library The Orillia Public Library is offering a great adult program called Lifescapes, designed to encourage seniors to preserve their personal history by writing their memoirs. Lifescapes was developed by Julie Machado, a librarian with the Washoe County Library System and Stephen Tchudi, Professor of English and Rhetoric at the University of Nevada. One of the successful methods they used to encourage seniors to write down life experiences, was by “jogging their memories” with different techniques. Their Lifescapes participants have successfully completed several anthologies as well as many individual manuscripts. Using the Nevada Lifescapes as a foundation, the Orillia Public Library was able to adapt the program to fi t the requirements of its library. Featuring two meetings a month, complete with presentations by authors and storytellers, Lifescapes has so far been a huge success. Once ideas are down on paper, and editing is complete, the stories will be published for future generations to read. Lifescapes will conclude with a book launch to celebrate the completion of the memoirs.

ACCESS 6 SPRING 2005

Ontario Snapshot

Library Exchanges to Make a Difference To celebrate First Nations Public Library Week, the Keswick Branch of Georgina Public Libraries met with the library of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. Through stories, a craft and personal reminiscence, the library was given glimpses into a past life very different from our own, despite the proximity of the island to the mainland. The library hopes this will be the fi rst of many exchanges with the Georgina Island First Nation Library. Check out their website at www.nanabushtrails.com

The CNIB Library Invites you to Doors Open Read to Succeed! The CNIB Library welcomes the As part of Literacy Day in late January, Vaughan Public Libraries library community to tour the new launched its Read to Succeed program. Greg Sorbara, Minister of CNIB National Headquarters during Finance and M.P.P. for Vaughan-King-Aurora is the champion for the Doors Open Toronto, May 28 and 29. program. He, along with a group of local children, appear on a special Doors Open allows visitors free access poster commissioned by the libraries, a copy of which is enclosed in to architecturally and historically this mailing, compliments of Vaughan Public Libraries. “Once you signifi cant properties that are not learn how to read,” says Sorbara, “the whole world opens up to you.” usually open to the public. The new Vaughan Public Libraries has recently appointed Bill McAskill as building is a state-of-the-art model of universal design, a fi tting home for literacy librarian to build the program. the CNIB, Canada’s primary provider Brampton Library promotes literacy by being an active member of of vision loss support services and the Brampton Literacy Committee. One Child at a Time was a powerful vision health information. Information community outreach event this winter that featured renowned literacy professionals will be interested in a advocate and public speaker David Bouchard. behind-the-scenes look at alternative Share the Stories Reading Circle is a new literacy program at Bradford format book production. Featured areas West Gwillimbury Public Library. Supported by Coca Cola Canada will include the recording studio, braille through the ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation, children between and tactile production. eight and 12 years old meet weekly for an hour. In the fi rst half of each session, the children read one-on-one with an older volunteer; in the second half, the participants have a book discussion, or join in a Reading Rocks literacy-related activity. Nancy Dalrymple reports on a literacy radio show called Reading Rocks that airs over her school PA system every Tuesday morning following announcements. “As Liza Jane the Library Dame, I begin each show with my theme song, Wake Up It’s Time (an excerpt from Climax Us by The Morning Spoke, an up-and- coming Toronto band). I then move on to the joke of the day and library news.” There is an interview segment featuring a student, staff member or special guest. The spot ends with a point to ponder which is sometimes a question to prompt class discussion, sometimes it’s a jumping off point for a brainstorming activity, sometimes a contest. “The radio show is a brazen marketing ploy but it has captured the interest of the kids - and staff!”

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OSCR – Ontario School Curriculum Resources Read to the Dogs The Ontario School Curriculum Resources group, consisting of Hamilton Public A new program called Read Library, Mississauga Library system, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Dufferin- to the Dogs is being held at Peel District Catholic School Board, Kitchener Public Library, Caledon Public Library, the City of Kawartha Lakes Halton District Catholic School Board, Halton District School Board, Burlington Public Library. Three therapy Public Library, Oakville Public Library and Halton Hills Public Library, has received dogs certifi ed through the St. an LSDF grant from the Ministry of Culture. Funds from the grant will be used to John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog further develop the OSCR on-line application and service. Program visit the Lindsay Branch giving children the opportunity to read to the dog. The dog and owner are situated in a quiet Snuggle Up and Read corner of the library where the After a much delayed, long awaited renovation, the new library at Beaverton children can read to them with Public School opened offi cially with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Unoffi cially it little distraction. Reading aloud opened with a book fair and a parent/student/teacher evening. This event, Snuggle to dogs can increase enthusiasm Up And Read, was graced by a glorious display of pajamas, slippers, pillows and for reading, develop reading stuffi es. After singing along with Walter (a guitar) and hearing tales told, parents skills, teach children how to and kids snuggled into their own books. interact with pets and promote confi dence. The dogs are Harley a golden retriever, Lexie a standard poodle, and Cricket a mixed breed. All three dogs are child certifi ed.

Markham Public Libraries opens Angus Glen Library

More than 3,100 library customers celebrated the Offi cial Opening of the newest member of the Markham Public Libraries family with a ribbon cutting, entertainment, activities, storytimes and programs. At almost 30,000 sq. ft., Angus Glen Library is a library for the 21st century. It supports new ways of delivering library services such as self- checkout and proactive, roving customer service. The library also provides features to meet the needs and expectations of the customers: a computer lab, a café, individual and group study rooms, fi replace lounges, a dedicated teen area, and wireless connectivity. www.markhampubliclibraires. ca/ag.htm

ACCESS 10 SPRING 2005 Starbucks and Mississauga Mississauga Library System – A New Branch! Library System Brew The Courtneypark Branch Library is the Mississauga Library System’s Successful Partnership largest branch library. It is part of a multi-use facility which will serve Starbucks in Mississauga and the Friends 70,000 customers. The Courtneypark Branch is housed in a three-fl oor, of Mississauga Library have in recent years 29,000-square-foot facility with more than 40 computer terminals for worked together on many fundraising and public use, three study rooms for silent and group study, a children’s area volunteer initiatives – from with an interactive wall, three children’s multimedia workstations and annual writing contests two lounge areas, complete with fi replaces – perfect to curl up with a and volunteering at good book! festivals to donation of product and of books from Starbucks’ annual Tilbury Library Renovation ABC Book Drive, the partners at Chatham-Kent Starbucks have Public Library been committed reopened the to supporting renovated Odette the Friends of the Memorial Library in Library. Over the past Tilbury on Family two years, Starbucks Literacy Day. The Foundation furthered that commitment Library now feels by awarding the Friends of the Library two more spacious and grants amounting to over $18,000 to further welcoming with the their work with youth in the Mississauga Public Library System. To date, the change in layout Foundation has awarded more than US$7.6 and choice of million to more than 700 youth organizations colours. in Canada and the United States.

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OLA 11 SPRING 2005 Ontario Snapshot

Mississauga gets donation boost The Mississauga Library System received a donation of $10,000 by AstraZeneca Canada Inc in support of its health and pharmaceutical collections. The cheque was presented to Director of Library Services Don Mills and the Mississauga Public Library Board this winter.

The Express Reads Pilot Chinese E-magazines Offered at Project at the Ottawa Public Markham Public Libraries Library Markham Public Libraries is the fi rst library in Express Reads makes a selection of Canada to subscribe to Qikan, a comprehensive on- popular titles, mostly best-selling adult line database of 200 full-text Chinese magazines. The fi ction and non-fi ction, available to Town of Markham is a highly diverse and growing library patrons for one-week without community of 230,000 residents. Chinese has reservations or renewals being possible. emerged as the mother tongue and home language A $5 per day fi ne reinforces the of a signifi cant proportion of Markham residents. agreement that the patron is making Through this subscription, the library system is to read the book quickly. A collection providing another avenue for its Chinese customers of about 75-100 titles are on separate to access information in their fi rst language adding shelves with unique stickers in 11 to resources already available including books, branches. Most of the titles will be magazines, newspapers, movies, music, CD-Roms in English because few of the French and library programs. In its fi rst month of service, titles have long waiting lists. Like all 2,100 articles were accessed and requests were OPL material, these books can still be received from as far away as Deep River. returned to any branch.

ACCESS 12 SPRING 2005 Western Music Library Materials Return from Display in Vienna From April through October 2004, the Jüdisches Museum Wien (Jewish Museum Vienna) displayed seventy-one items from the University of Western Ontario Music Library’s world-class Gustav Mahler-Alfred Rosé Collection. Photographs, letters, scores, and concert programs made up a commemorative exhibit entitled Alma Rosé: from Concert Hall to Auschwitz. The exhibit was part of a larger exhibit about Jewish life in Vienna during the interwar period, and marked the 60th anniversary of Alma Rosé’s death. Joachim Riedl, a curator at the Museum stated that there were approximately 46,000 visitors, including many from overseas, to the exhibit, a record attendance fi gure for the Museum. He indicated that everybody was touched by the intensity of the Alma room, and that “though small by scale [it was] nevertheless the dramatic highlight of the entire exhibition.” The opening of the exhibit received extensive European media coverage and included a panel discussion by Richard Newman, author of the book Alma Rosé: Vienna to Auschwitz, Herr Riedl and Anita Lasker-Wallfi sch, a surviving member of the Auschwitz Orchestra directed by Alma. The late Mrs. Maria Rosé, widow of Western Music Professor Alfred Rosé, donated the Gustav Mahler-Alfred Rosé Collection in 1983.

Photo Credit: The Mahler-Rosé Collection, The Gustav Mahler-Alfred Rosé Room The Music Library, The University of Western Ontario 2005

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OLA 13 SPRING 2005 Flashpoint CURRENT ISSUES AND PROGRAMS AT THE ONTARIO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Digital Library

The announcement by the Hon. Madeleine Meilleur of the provision of $700,000 and her personal championship of the Ontario Digital Library was a breakthrough in seeking government support for this Project which will “make a major contribution not only to success for Ontario’s students, but to strengthening our economy and our communities.” In her statement, she agreed to champion the Ontario Digital Library with her fellow Ministers in Education, in Training, Colleges and Universities, in Consumer and Business Services, and in Management Board. OLA is being asked to administer the funds.

Craig Kielburger Copyright

Ontario Librarians For Africa OLA’s concern over the lack of compromise and Craig Kielburger and Stephen Lewis made tangible the balance for Canadian plight of children around the world and described the users of copyright was role that librarians could and must play. It was a call to the subject of a letter to social responsibility and a small army of OLA members the Hon. Liza Frulla, Minister have offered their help in developing a response. “There of Canadian Heritage and the is no reason that these human problems should exist… Hon. David Emerson, the Minister of international society has lost its moral anchor,” said Lewis Industry. Although agreeing that reform is needed, the letter to the extraordinary crowd of 2,200 delegates – the largest warned that overemphasis on the rights of creators will audience ever assembled at one time at the OLA. harm Canada’s social goals and priorities. If implemented, provisions of the May, 2004 Interim Report from the Heritage Over $90 billion has been spent on the Afghani and Iraqi Committee on copyright “will: wars, an amount that could bring every child in the world to school. In land-locked countries around the world, as the • Signifi cantly increase constrained school, library and other tsunami rolled across the Indian Ocean, tens of thousands of budgets thus decreasing the ability of these institutions to children died or became orphans. Both Kielburger and Lewis access material which many creators intended students were a poignant call to arms for librarians everywhere. and citizens to use without payment (e.g., Internet resources placed on the Web by public sector organizations 2004 OLA President Ken Roberts has taken the issue as as well as creative zines produced by those seeking an his legacy project. Several ideas were discussed at the OLA audience for their expression and ideas); Board at the beginning of March – from the provision of resources to the more than 500 schools that Kielburger has • Further position Canada as a country that exports funds managed to establish to the actual building of schools under to countries with no similar capacity to compensate the aegis of these two remarkable Canadians. Given Stephen Canadian creators; Lewis’ description of Africa, the decision has been made to • Provide corporate and other copyright owners with the concentrate the effort on that continent. Although the OLA legal ability to monitor, through spyware, the ways that Board has discussed many options, the fi nal decision had identifi able people use purchased products. In a recent not been made at the time of writing. A separate item in the ruling, Justice LeBel has noted that copyright legislation mailing of this issue of Access will describe what is being should protect the privacy rights of Canadians to use planned and how OLA members and the Ontario library Internet resources in their homes; community can make it happen. • Impose upon Internet Service Providers a requirement to disclose information about claims of copyright abuse

ACCESS 14 SPRING 2005 even when there is no legal safeguard to ensure that some First Nations reasonable assumption of abuse exists; • Provide copyright collectives with additional rights to OLA staffer Andrew Ryther license the works of creators whom these collectives do worked with the First Nations not represent and will not pay. Furthermore, these added community to design his powers are one-sided, not taking account of user rights of third consecutive poster for access and fair dealing as exists with printed materials in First Nations Public Library the Act. Week in February. OLA produced and distributed a • Disadvantage Canadian students, scholars, researchers copy of the poster for every and librarians in comparison to their Australian, British public library branch in the and American colleagues to Canada’s peril; province. A variation of the poster was also used in • Ignore the rights of Canadians with perceptual disabilities Saskatchewan for its First in the digital environment.” Nations Storytelling Week. Copies of the letter were sent to all Ontario MPs and all Ontario Senators. Talk to your local MP to reinforce these Members of the concerns. First Nations Library Association invited Fortuitously, a document on the Library-Related OLA Executive Director Principles for the International Development Agenda of Larry Moore to join the World Intellectual Property Organization emerged in them at a meeting with December, and was brought to the OLA Annual General Lieutenant-Governor Meeting by OLA Copyright Task Force Chair Bernard Katz James Bartlemann. for endorsation. This timely statement, prepared for use in The discussion was discussions at the World Intellectual Property Organization, frank about the addresses the impact of intellectual property protection on growth of public economic development and the signifi cance of copyright libraries particularly exceptions for libraries, educational institutions, and the in remote northern disabled. OLA’s endorsation has been affi rmed by the OLA communities and the role that the FNLA’s Board of Directors and offi cially recorded. A copy of the members could play in their nurture. Principles has been forwarded to the two Ministers, the Ontario MPs and Ontario-based Senators to reinforce the points made earlier. The full text of the Principles may be found at. Check OLA’s Web site home page under Issues for more current information.

The OLAStore Readies the 2006 Calendar

The cover designs for the 2006 Literacy Calendar have been received and they are fresh. The new calendar features authors who have collaborated on a particular title. They are sometimes co-authors, sometimes author and illustrator, sometimes mixed sexes, sometimes not, sometimes mixed ages, sometimes similar. It is a new and interesting variation and the pictures so far are fi rst rate. The fi rst literacy calendar, which was aimed at boys, featured twelve of Canada’s most popular male authors of young novels; it sold more than 8,000 copies. OLA is a major investor in the calendar along with S&B Books. The project execution and vision come from Canadian author, Eric Walters.

OLA 15 SPRING 2005 The OLA’s Forest Of Reading Literacy Canadian Library Week Initiative The Ministry of Culture is asking for OLA’s support for The voting for the programs in the Forest of Reading took Canadian Library Week, a project being pursued by the place in April and May. The Award ceremonies take place as Canadian Library Association. The resurrection of the follows. week was spurred by Alberta’s now retired provincial director Punch Jackson. The dates for Canadian Library Blue Spruce - April 27 Week coincide with a number of provincial library weeks A local event rather than a provincial event. run across Canada. Since promoting two different library Silver Birch - May 26 weeks in the same time frame is expensive and confusing Harbourfront: International Children’s MILK Festival to the public, it is likely that the provincial celebrations will Red Maple - May 5 disappear. St. Lawrence North Market Building, Toronto White Pine - May 18 The Education Institute Convocation Hall, University of Toronto The partners developing programs for the Education The Evergreen program for adults is now up and running. Institute (Jane Dysart, Rebecca Jones, Ken Haycock, Sya Van The offi cial list of titles for the fi rst year was announced at Geest, Rita Vine, Darlene Fichter, Pat Cavill, Ken Setterington) Super Conference and is on the OLA Web site under Reading met during Super Conference. What Programs. The Golden Oak program for adults learning a talented, visionary group! They are to read has received a grant from the Canada Council to immensely enthused with the Institute subsidize author readings and will again have the Award and with its potential. Now that ceremony at the annual conference for “literacy learners” Rebecca Jones has become the new held in June. Director of the Faculty of Information Studies Professional Learning Centre, A buy-out/acquisition and a near bankruptcy have pushed the opportunity for larger scale two Silver Birch titles into back orders. There seems to be connections has become a possibility. little that these companies will do. We are waiting to hear The fi rst experiments with Web cast from the wholesalers to determine how many orders are in programming will emerge later in the backlog. If numbers are substantial enough, we may offer to spring. For the Spring 2005 schedule, subsidize reprinting. the development partners have provided the richest mix of programs to date for the Institute. The Spring 2005 catalogue was distributed to members of the provincial library associations in The Partnership. Design and distribution have been handled by OLA.

ACCESS 16 SPRING 2005 The Partnership has Two New ABFO Returns To Life Members and a New Joint Project. At Super Conference

The Executive Directors of BCLA, LAA, SLA, the Presidents The Super Conference Round Table to look at the of BCLA, LAA, SLA, NSLA and the Vice-Presidents of MLA, continued viability of l’Association des bibliothécaires NWTLA and APLA met during Super Conference to share francophones de l’Ontario (ABFO) attracted a good crowd. experience and to consider possible joint work together. Nathalie Soini from Queen’s University was picked to be OLA hosted the very dynamic meetings. The Partnership Présidente in a fresh attempt to activate the OLA division. and the potential of the Education Institute in particular An ABFO Web page will be added to the OLA site that will be were discussed as were new ventures such as the e-journal used to share resources for those who are francophone and put forward by OLA President Cynthia Archer and now for those who serve francophones in Ontario. under consideration by the OLA Board. The Atlantic More francophone education at the Super Conference, Provinces Library Association and the Nova Scotia Library in the Education Institute, and connected to other Association joined The Partnership immediately after the francophone events such as Le Salon du Livre, are Super Conference meetings. They join the British Columbia possibilities. Library Association, the Library Association of Alberta, the ABFO, through the good graces of Ottawa Public Librarian Saskatchewan Library Association and the Ontario Library Jacques Leboeuf has launched OLA’s fi rst blog at http:// Association in delivering jointly owned and developed www.bloglines.com/blog/abfo. The blog anticipates the member services. development of the Web site and gives ABFO members a fresh way to share information. WTO/TRIPS Impact Study A la conférence de l’OLA, il y a eu une table ronde pour discuter le futur et l’importance de l’ABFO (Association des A little over a year ago, the CLA asked library associations bibliothécaires francophones de l’Ontario). La réunion a across Canada to invest in the creation of a legal analysis été un grand succès. Un des decisions prises lors de cette of the impact on libraries of the World Trade Organization rencontre était la création d’un site web sur le site de l’OLA. Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property En attendant cette étape, Jacques Leboeuf de la Bibliothèque Rights (TRIPS). The total expense was anticipated to be publique d’Ottawa a crée un carnet web (blogue) qui permet $30,000, of which OLA members provided $5,000. The Final de partager de l’information. Il se trouve a http://www. Report on the copyright implications of TRIPS and their bloglines.com/blog/abfo. application has been delivered and is located on the OLA Les gens présents ont remarqué que l’ABFO doit continuer Web site under the Issue section on the home page. à desservir ces membres francophones ainsi que les clients francophones qui utilisent des bibliothèques en Ontario. 3ATISFYING ALLYOUR Ken Haycock & Associates Inc. BOOKNEEDS Building capacity for leadership, advocacy and collaboration INONE EASYTRIP
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OLA 17 SPRING 2005 The World Outside OBSERVATIONS ON NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LIBRARY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS Our Lieutenant Governors Support Libraries

he Lieutenant Governors given by the Lieutenant Governor Hole. of two of Canada’s largest Although weakened from her medical provinces have taken a special condition, her strong voice and Tinterest in libraries and the enthusiastic commitment to libraries communities they serve. Dr. Lois Hole, were evident. As she told our group, who served as Alberta’s Lieutenant “A world without libraries is a world Governor until she died after a lengthy without education, without progress, illness on January 6, 2005, had a special without justice. Without libraries we passion for libraries. She demonstrated can neither explore and learn from this passion in the establishment of our past, nor build a better future.” I the Lois Hole Library Legacy Program, am certain that her commitment to “Grow Your Library,” that is helping libraries will remain part of her legacy to build Alberta’s library collections. to the Province of Alberta. (For details More than 200 public, post-secondary, visit www.visityourlibrary.net/lhllp/ special and school libraries in promote.html) Alberta participate in the program by In Ontario, Lieutenant Governor encouraging memorial donations and James Bartlemann has demonstrated donations honouring special events his commitment to libraries with his such as weddings, anniversaries or book program supporting aboriginal retirements. school libraries. His Honour’s passion In September of 2004, I had the for libraries grew during his childhood Dr. Lois Hole privilege of attending a presentation years when his visits to his local public library in Port Carling introduced him to the world of books and the magic of .OW #ANADASLEADINGTECHNICALSERVICESBUSINESSSUPPORTSYOURLIBRARYWITH reading. Launched in the Dryden Public Library in January 2004, the Lieutenant !CQUISITIONS #ATALOGUING Governor’s book program has received donations of 1.2 million books from 0ROCESSING3ERVICES Ontarians and from others around the world. The Ontario Provincial Police and the Canadian military assisted in -ETADATA#ATALOGUING delivering the donations to Northern FORGOVERNMENTDOCUMENTSANDDIGITALVIDEO 3PRING communities. The Lieutenant Governor has launched a follow-up program that will twin First Nations THELARGESTEDUCATIONALSERVICEAVAILABLE 7INTER6IDEO ON $EMAND 05 communities with non-First Nations Communities as a means of continuing to develop and support libraries for %LECTRONIC2ESOURCES Northern communities. AVASTARRAYAVAILABLE British Columbia Tables New Strategic Plan for Its Libraries WWW"IBLIOCENTRECA The Province of British Columbia has released a strategic plan for its public #ALLTODAYFORFURTHERINFORMATION  X libraries. Entitled, Libraries Without By Vicki Whitmell By Vicki

ACCESS 18 SPRING 2005 Walls: The World Within Your Reach: A Vision for Public of entry. New training resources will also be developed so Libraries in British Columbia, the document demonstrates that library staff will develop the expertise they need to use the province’s support for the role of public electronic resources and help their users. Other highlights of libraries in today’s information age. In the plan include: the report’s introduction Premier Gordon Campbell boldly states that “our libraries • Recognizing that a commitment are a great investment in community, must be made to serving the 1600 learning and literacy.” Aboriginal communities in B.C. The key components of the plan include • Revising the Province’s Library Act putting broadband into every community to refl ect new developments and library, increasing access to online opportunities journals and establishing a province wide • Collecting outcome-based statistics to One Card system and virtual reference demonstrate how literacy levels, healthy desk to anyone anywhere in British lifestyles, incomes or job skill levels Columbia. An additional $12 million improve because of libraries. in funding over three years has been dedicated to put the plan in place. The The B.C. Government has also plan was developed by B.C.’s Public committed additional funding to promote Library Service Branch. It engaged in innovative literacy programs in schools extensive consultations with library and communities across the Province. For professionals, library boards, local more details visit on the plan, visit www. government representatives and the mcaws.gov.bc.ca/lgd/public_libraries/ Union of British Columbia Municipalities. plplan/library_strategic_plan.pdf The strategy attempts to address increasing public expectations about how to access information as well as Strategy Unveiled for Disseminating Canadian Research reward the development of collaborations and partnerships The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) among libraries, the private sector, the education system has issued a strategy that encourages the widespread and all levels of government. The report commits the dissemination of Canadian research. The result of a three- government to providing all British Columbians with year study, the strategy recognizes that Canada has fallen free access to a suite of licensed electronic information behind other developed countries in the way that it manages databases purchased by the province that will be accessible knowledge dissemination and scholarly communication through the creation of a library gateway as a single point and concludes that in order “to achieve national public policy objectives, Canada needs an effi cient, effective and sustainable system for the dissemination of scholarly research.” CARL encourages the Government of Canada to put into place a national strategy for the dissemination of knowledge and to create a research program on scholarly communication. This program is meant to be integrated with appropriate government research and development policies and to include libraries, archives and museums as partners with other stakeholders. For more information on CARL, this study and its other initiatives in this area, visit http://www.carl-abrc.ca. Vicki Whitmell is Legislative Librarian of Ontario. Ontario Lieutenant Governor James Bartlemann (pictured centre) demonstrates his love of books.

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OLA 19 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

OSLA School Library Administrator of the Year LEO HUTCHINSON

Leo is a very quiet man, a man of few words, who likes to be in $600,000 on the 34 identifi ed rural libraries. After a needs/ the background as a support person. His style of leadership is to standards survey was developed using “Achieving Information give people the opportunity to do their job, giving them a feeling of Literacy: Standards for School Library Programs” it was decided confi dence, as he does not feel the need to control everything they to spend the money on improving the collections, updating the do, but they are always aware that he is never more than a phone reference section, and providing a new dedicated search computer call or an email away if they need him. for each of the schools. The whole plan is too elaborate to explain He would not seek this honour, but we felt that his many in this venue, but the results were that over 34,000 books fully contributions to the promoting of teacher-librarians and school processed were in the hands of the children for September 2004. libraries in Thames Valley warranted recognition. Without his We are now in the second year, and there are 55 schools who positive actions and fi nancial support many resources, inservices are eligible for funding. Leo went again to the senior executive and training would not have happened. superintendents and we will have $650,000 to spend to enhance Leo has been a school library advocate since he has been rural school libraries. This year a similar needs/standards study a principal by supporting his teacher-librarians and providing will be done, and the money will be divided between the schools them with funds and time to support their library programs. As a to purchase their books from a preselected selection from seven superintendent he has supported the following : vendors during a one day take away sale. They will each receive a new book truck, and the additional 21 schools will receive search · funding for Block membership (OLA) for all of our teacher-librarians computers and a reference package for their schools. · funding to send up to 100 teacher-librarians to Super Conference We are only in the beginning stages of enhancing rural school · funding to buy professional resources for every teacher-librarian libraries and our hope is that Leo will be able to continue to · funding for 3 inservice and training days for all teacher-librarians advocate for us for further funding as long as the Ministry offers · and much more the funding. He has the respect and appreciation of the Thames Valley The event that we highlighted for the award was the special teacher-librarians and we realize how fortunate we are to have project that involves the Rural Education Grant money from the him as our superintendent. Ministry for rural schools. We believe that Thames Valley is the only board to use this money to enhance their school libraries. Marlene Turkington, Leo was able to lobby to the Executive superintendents to spend Learning Coordinator - Library

ACCESS 20 SPRING 2005 The Importance of Teacher-Librarians By Leo Hutchinson

would like to express my sincere thanks to the OSLA for support given them. Prior to amalgamation, three of our the honour accorded me with the 2005 Administrator predecessor boards had teacher-librarians and a fourth Iof the Year Award. The award is a testament to the had library technicians. A conscious decision was taken teacher-librarians of the Thames Valley District School by the transition team to place teacher-librarians in all Board and I am pleased to accept it in concert with those our 185 schools. In more recent times through the “Good teachers. The Thames Valley District School Board is Schools Open” and “Distance Schools” Ministry grants, extremely proud of its teacher-librarians. They are a valued the Executive Superintendents of Thames Valley allocated and necessary part of our school communities. Teacher- $1.3M out of slightly over $4M to the libraries of the schools librarians occupy a unique place in the schools of Thames identifi ed with these grants. Our learning coordinator for Valley. The partnership role they play with all teachers in library and media services, Marlene Turkington, carried out their schools is extremely important in the development of an extensive analysis of the collections of the schools. She learning with our students. Teacher-librarians bring a vast then prepared a plan for the upgrading of the libraries and knowledge of resources, and implemented that plan. excellence in the development Marlene’s analysis and of Information Study Skills planning was superb and to the program development covered every aspect of process. As in many Boards, the library and provided teacher-librarians take on many detailed information for roles from resource specialist to the upgrade process. The literacy and numeracy advocate downside of her analysis to computer guru. Our teacher- was that it showed the librarians advocate for students true picture of the needs of all ages and assist teachers to of the school libraries. target specifi c program issues in Very clearly, to bring all of their classes. our school libraries to an appropriate level would Teacher-librarians have always require the $1.3M many played a signifi cant role in the times over. schools in which I have been principal. These teachers have Marlene presented provided sage advice in the operation of the schools and her analysis and her plan to senior administration for have been strong advocates for the growth and development approval. The plan provided something for everyone. All occurring within the school. They have always understood of the schools received new circulation computers and a their role in creating a learning environment which is reference package to provide much needed resources to all responsive to students’ information needs. They have of the students. The neediest schools were then assigned been energetic and innovative. Personal life long learning, a signifi cant amount of money which could be spent at a curiosity, imagination, and devotion to the learning needs mammoth one day book sale with all books being purchased of their students have been second nature to these people. right on site. The sale was held in May and by September They wouldn’t understand their role in the school in any our cataloguing department had the thousands of books all other terms. catalogued and returned to the schools ready for student use on the opening day of school. Marlene’s work was excellent. At the time of amalgamation, the teacher-librarians in She truly demonstrated that she is part of a “Caring, Thames Valley were one of the fi rst groups to organize Learning Community.” professionally. They understood the need to create a corporate voice which would speak to the needs of teacher- As senior management of our school system, it is librarians across Thames Valley. They also understood incumbent upon supervisory offi cers to never cease the need to create a support network for the people being advocating for school libraries and teacher-librarians. The brought together from the four different predecessor school librarian touches the learning of every student and has boards to form a new district school board. They have a critical part to play in producing competent learners succeeded in their efforts admirably. The Thames Valley ready to play a full part in Canadian society. Our libraries teacher-librarians speak with a voice that is respected and and teacher-librarians are an essential part of the school heard across Thames Valley. community and must be supported and nurtured. Their role in advancing literacy, numeracy and critical thinking is A testament to the regard in which teacher-librarians unquestioned. They are a signifi cant part of the professional are held in Thames Valley is evidenced by the system learning communities that we are all trying to build.

OLA 21 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

The Ballad of Sir Leo — Knight of School Libraries

Come gather round ye, school library clan and hear the tale I tell About grand events, and over one million dollars spent on a multi vendor sale. About our superintendent Sir Leo, the Administrator of the Year. As our champion of School library programs and our resources we hold so dear.

In days of yore, about two years ago or maybe even three Sir Leo seized the opportunity to advert a catastrophe. The Ministry gave money to be spent on rural schools within our Board He met with the Senior Admin and used his quiet charm, to not the money hoard But to spend it on rural school libraries, and improve the students learning The quest then began, to spend the 600 grand, and fulfi ll the students yearning.

Sir Leo decreed that there must be a plan to spend all the money according to Ministry lore To discover the needs, a survey went forth based on library collection maps, and more Data was assembled and reviewed, our school libraries could not the standards meet The emphasis on library collections to meet the standards would be a tremendous feat The crusade must be fought, and Sir Leo knew that many library books would soon need to be bought.

A proclamation went forth for all vendors to participate in a multi-vendor sale mid May Seven worthy companies met the challenge and brought their 9000 titles for that busy buying day. From far and near, the TLs came with their lists to fulfi ll, to improve their school collections To spend this much money would be such a thrill, from the vendors who supplied such vast selections. All the priority schools managed their money to spend; books were boxed, labeled and shipped directly to the Cataloguing Den.The other 173 schools were invited; in the afternoon to buy resources from the vendors and to spend, spend , spend..

In Year one, the record doth show 14 schools bought 29,000 books for their school libraries And forth with, 34 schools received reference sets , computers and scanners and over 4,000 books for Beginning Steps bibliographies With great zest, Sir Leo made sure that the cataloguing team had all the books shelf ready They had to work long hours and make sure their hearts and hands were steady Thus all the library books were in the hands of the students to begin the new school year Sir Leo was their hero and the children, their parents and teachers did gleefully cheer!

Year two has brought new parameters as now there are 55 schools instead of 34 Sir Leo remained undaunted and to the Senior Admin , he went once more This year he has $650,000 to spend causing our hopes to soar Needs of the additional 21 will be determined by the same standards as used before The multi vendor sale will allow rural Teacher-Librarians to have some fun A book truck, a reference package, a computer and scanner and many new library books for each and everyone.

Come gather round ye, school library clan and hear the tale I tell About our Sir Leo, and the many Library dragons he did fell Sir Leo’s actions are the essence of our Board’s vision Supporting a Caring, Learning community is his mission This special honour, he would not seek, Of his many deeds he would not speak

Hail - Sir Leo the Knight of School Libraries.

ACCESS 22 SPRING 2005 OSLA School Administrator of the Year WAYNE HAMILTON

David Loertscher talks about four key components to an As for collaboration, an anecdote adequately illustrates the excellent school library: collaboration, reading literacy, information point: at a meeting of the area’s teacher-librarians, the new literacy and information technology and Wayne Hamilton, the superintendent marvelled at the level of team-teaching between principal of Agnes Macphail Public School in the Toronto District the Macphail teachers and teacher-librarian. A librarian from School Board, works his administrator’s magic to support each of another school remarked, “A lot of credit has to go to their those cornerstones. principal.” Agnes Macphail P.S. has a great staff that makes collaboration exciting and fruitful and Wayne helps facilitate that in At the Ontario School Library Association awards ceremony, his modest, laid-back, sort of way. Once again, he practises what Wayne was introduced and spoke near a huge cardboard cut- he preaches. out of Fred Flintstone. Fred’s name is actually an acronym for Free Reading Every Day. The previous teacher-librarian, Lorna Studies of systems show that what you put at the centre of your Embrey, and Wayne established regular F.R.E.D. time at the system is what guides your vision and your practice. The centre of school in everyone’s timetable. With the help of the other fantastic Wayne’s system is – no, not libraries, but kids, or more accurately, classroom and support teachers, the staff of Agnes Macphail can people. You are more likely to fi nd Wayne informally visiting a class proudly attest that they belong to a school that loves to read. or chatting with a student than in his offi ce. It is simply that Wayne realizes that school libraries benefi t students and that’s why the Wayne is a computer expert, but he never promotes the use School Advisory Council Chairperson wrote in her letter of support of technology at the expense of libraries; on the contrary, he that “our library is the centre of our school. It is a gathering place advocates the integration of technology in the library program. with leading edge technology. Our students consider their library Wayne puts his money where his mouth is and fi nancially as a central feature of their school life. Thanks to Wayne Hamilton, supports the library above and beyond the provincial average to we are proud to defi ne ourselves and our commitment to student help it lead the way in literacy and information technology. One of success by our library.” the students wrote in his letter to the OLA, “Mr. Hamilton gives so much money to the library; Mrs. Maliszewski won’t even tell us how much it is!” Things An Administrator Should Do 10 By Wayne Hamilton t is an honour to have been named as Administrator of I thought about 10 things that I have tried to do and the Year by the Ontario Library Association. However, I believe that an administrator should do. Ifeel it is really my teacher-librarian(s) that deserve the credit. Sure, I advocate and do what I can to support, but 1. Hire a fantastic teacher-librarian - because literacy is the teacher-librarian is the front-line worker who does the a primary goal of education and the library shows how yeoman’s work. you value literacy. Hire a great librarian and you look good! I’m here today as proof of that. I was fortunate to My teacher-librarian, Diana Maliszewski, came to me have had Lorna, a top-notch librarian who was actively to compliment me saying that she was proud that on the involved in the Toronto and Ontario Library Associations Principal’s Checklist that our board adapted from PEI’s, we and hosted numerous meetings. When she retired, she had a near perfect record, only missing on one item. I was provided valuable insight into not only the qualities we impressed! I was eager to see the list that we had done so should be looking for in her replacement but also suitable well on. As I went through the list, however, I noticed that candidates and that is how we ended up with Diana who most items checked were ones that in reality came down to has done a terrifi c job. the teacher-librarian, Diana, doing the work. The one that was not checked was my responsibility – namely to write a 2. Hire an outstanding teacher-librarian - because your job description of the librarian. I did not do that because it students deserve one. The teacher-librarian is the heart would have been far too restrictive for either Diana or her and soul of your school. The teacher-librarian plays a predecessor, Lorna Embrey. Both of them exceed any job crucial role in the school since the library should be one of description that I could possibly come up with. the focal points for the entire school. Every student in the school uses the library.

OLA 23 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

5. The teacher-librarian needs time. The principal’s duty is to fi nd them the time to do the myriad of things they are required to do to run a successful program. It is important that the whole staff “buy into” the need for a full time librarian. I do not see how a teacher-librarian can possibly do the job unless they are in the library at least 75% of the time. Every one of our classes from kindergarten to grade 6 has at least one scheduled library period and Partners time on top of that.

6. Insist on Partners in Action. You may be aware of the writing on emotional intelligence and the incremental benefi ts of working collaboratively. Teacher-librarians have an extraordinary ability to work with students to take them to higher levels. We need to share their expertise to enhance all programs in the school. In order to do this, they must have available time that they schedule in concert with other teachers. Approximately one-third of Diana’s timetable is open for scheduling partners. Normally this would be 50% of the time but this year because of the size of the intermediate math classes, Diana is teaching grade 7 math. The plan for next year is to restore the 50% if at all possible. 3. Support the T-L. with an appropriate budget. In Toronto, the board provides each school with a library budget of 7. Encourage Information Technology throughout the $20 per elementary student ( $30 for secondary). This school including the library and make sure that it is is woefully inadequate. It was inadequate when fi rst working properly. It is important that all computers have introduced and has not changed in at least 10 years internet access since research skills should now include and this means that the buying power has been steadily on-line searches. Technology of all types has long been declining for years. The secondary school amount of $30 an interest for me and this has enabled me to help with per student is more reasonable for elementary schools. some of the troubleshooting but it is not essential that the We must fund libraries such that students can fi nd the administrator know how to do the “technical stuff”. What resources that they need. Libraries must have books that is important is that the administrator know how to get the students want to read and software that they want to someone to fi x it quickly if it does go down. use. Our school has a population of 360 students and the library budget is $12,000. It is diffi cult to replace worn out books and still manage to make it grow as it should. At the 8. Strongly encourage daily free reading. We mandated a OLA conference I heard of a Board that refused to okay a specifi c time to start the day with 20 minutes of F.R.E.D. $5/student allocation. To my way of thinking, this is an This year we have allowed more fl exibility in terms of abdication of their responsibility to improve literacy in when the free reading is done but it is to be included in their schools. every teacher’s day plan. This ties in with the need for an adequate budget as there needs to be a good variety of reading materials available for all students and their 4. Support your T-L. in the various undertakings such as varying interests. Blue Spruce, Silver Birch, and Red Maple programs by reading the books and conferencing with students. These undertakings require active involvement. Today I had 9. Read the research on the academic benefi ts of school the opportunity to talk about several books with about libraries and full time teacher librarians. Statistics and a dozen students. We are here for the students and they accountability have grown in importance so that they have need to know that they come fi rst. Beginning a number almost taken on a life of their own. Use these statistics to of years ago my elder son and I went to his school for a your advantage. Use these statistics to … (# 10) Snuggle Up and Read Night. Students and parents shared a reading time and hot chocolate. I was so impressed 10. Advocate for full time teacher-librarians. that we have copied this idea at our school and have been running it ever since. Students and teachers are The government, trustees, and administrators must realize encouraged to come in pajamas and bring their own mug the absolutely crucial role that teacher-librarians play and for hot chocolate. My younger son has also joined me on give them the tools, especially money and time, to enable these nights. We are now looking into the idea of teachers them to do the job well. Anything short of a full commitment modeling read-aloud and guided reading so that parents is short-changing the children. can see fi rst-hand how to do this properly.

ACCESS 24 SPRING 2005 OPLA’s Award for Leadership in Youth Services CHRISTINE DALGETTY

Fondly nicknamed “Teen Warrior Princess” by her team mates on the Teen Services Team at Burlington Public Library, Christine Dalgetty is a source of boundless energy, enthusiasm and inspiration.

For the past several years, she has been an active member of the Red Maple Committee and has been dedicated to “shifting the culture” among her colleagues to create a library system that welcomes and celebrates teens.

Christine ambitiously developed a Teen Advisory Board fi ve years ago and challenged them to reinvent the library’s teen Web site. Once launched, the site received accolades from both YALSA that named it “one of the best in North America” and MOLO Regional Library System that recognized it at a 2003 video conference as As for the teens themselves, they adore Christine and appreciate “a good site for homework assistance”. Additionally, Burlington her genuine interest in their school work and their personal Public Library boasts a Teen Library newsletter, bplTeens, which challenges and triumphs. In the words of her colleagues, promotes library services, programs and collections, separate teen “Christine has the wonderful ability to make teens feel good spaces in all locations, a teen writing contest now its fourth year about themselves, to make co-workers enthusiastic about a new and a Teen Library Card offering teens special fi ne rates. initiative and to make the library an enjoyable workplace”.

Metamorphosis Or: How To Build A Teen Focus At Your Library In Five Easy Steps! By Christine Dalgetty

Metamorphosis = (n) 1. Teen Spaces and Cool Collections a change in form or character; a transformation. It is almost seven years ago that I began my work in youth services, my own metamorphosis. I started out with the If one word can encapsulate the wonder and brilliance of support of my library board, a few strategic objectives, change it would have to be metamorphosis. This is how I some identifi ed funding and a great leap of faith. The most see that extraordinary period of life dismissively called the immediate and easiest part of the plan was to fi nd and create teenage years by some; that time of life when change comes space for youth within our central library. By shifting some as sure as a freight train and sometimes just as powerful. It is a collections we were able to carve out a space for young adults time of intensity, when a person looks intently at themselves, adjacent to the large print area. We purchased some additional and expectantly out at the world and decides who and what shelving, some soft seating and a few READ posters. they want to be. It begins with children, unformed in adult sensibilities and through a period of tremendous change and This arrangement seemed to work perfectly, the seniors development they emerge as fully formed, unique individuals enjoyed the area in the mornings and early afternoons, then ready to take on the world on their own terms. To play a part the teens moved in and began using the space later in the day in this transformation is nothing short of amazing. As libraries for homework and hanging out. expand their services to include youth, they need to remember this word, metamorphosis, for a transformation will happen Once we had the space, we began to expand the collection, not only to the young people they endeavour to serve but also focussing on magazines and paperbacks and also introducing to the organizations and the librarians who work there. I know, feature fi lm videos and popular music CDs. We added board because it happened to me at my library. games, graphic novels and two PC workstations. Gradually the area expanded to overfl owing and Burlington teens began to see it as a space of their own.

OLA 25 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

We then went to work on the neighbourhood branches, a Good marketing is also essential for success. BPL has two more diffi cult task but achievable none the less. We created vehicles of communication especially for teens: BPL Teens, a teen corners at all fi ve locations, put together small teen quarterly newsletter and our teen Web site, The Zone http:// collections based on what worked at Central and soon www.bpl.on.ca/bplteens/thezone.htm. Burlington Public Library was ready to serve their youth system-wide. It has been said that if you build it they will 4. Train Staff as Youth Advocates come, and in our case, it seemed to be true. The question was- While getting young people into your library is the basic once they are there what do you do with them? goal, the kind of reception they get once they get there is just as important. Staff training is so important to developing an 2. Involve Youth accepting and welcoming environment. This isn’t something The next step was to get to know the teens using the library you can do once and move on. At Burlington Public Library and fi gure out a way to involve them. My teen years were we decided to implement a team approach where one staff defi nitely ancient history and I needed their opinions, ideas member from every library location would participate in a and feedback. I began by getting to know our staff pages as system-wide service team for youth services. This team meets well as the kids who were using the library, one-on-one, as bimonthly and its mandate is to support and implement individuals. I then formed a teen advisory board of young teen services initiatives. Each team member acts as a coach people who were library regulars, former pages and program at each location encouraging a welcoming environment and registrants, using the 40-hour community service requirement “teen friendly” policies and staff interactions. In addition to as an incentive. I sent out invitations to approximately 20 this, there is also ongoing “teen training” to staff at meetings, kids, inviting them and asking them to bring a friend. My fi rst through articles in our staff newsletter and staff events. meeting had 27 kids and I needed extra chairs! The infl uence and assistance of the TAB has been immeasurable over the 5.Get involved in the Community years and I have made good friends along the way. Their Getting involved in the community is a great way to get to opinions and input helped in the teen area redesign of our know both the young people you are trying to reach as well as Central Library Expansion Project, the development of our other people in their world. Various community committees Teen Web Site as well as many library events and programs. provide opportunities to meet those whose work with teens include: community health, policing, the local YWCA, Parks It takes time to build a strong teen advisory board: & Rec, The City, local churches and arts groups. By working communication is an ongoing struggle as is the search for together on projects such as Youth Week or Volunteer Fairs meaningful projects for them to complete. It is well worth you get to know not only what kinds of services there are in the investment. I continue to have an active, vibrant group the community but the people you can turn to when you of about 20 regulars who meet every month, including many have a young person who comes to you for help. Burlington who come for the social aspect rather than the community Public Library is always visible at community events as we service hours. attend local celebrations such as Canada Day, Summer Music Festival, volunteer fairs, and school events. We also take the Involving young people in libraries makes sense not only library out to the schools, promoting summer programming for the libraries in terms of our future, but also for the young and, more recently, I have began a new information literacy people themselves. We must involve them for their own good, project called Partners in Learning which targets students in providing opportunities for them to develop and thrive. TAB grades 7,8 and 9. is one way for the library to do this, for healthy young people mean stronger communities. It has been seven years since I began this journey, a metamorphosis for me and for my library. It has not been an 3. Programming easy road by any means in that libraries are traditional places, Teen programming can be a lot of fun, exhausting, and is a bit conservative perhaps and sometimes slow to change. not for the faint of heart, but when it works, it is wonderful. Youth services fl ies in the face of all of that: our collections are Having a TAB to provide guidance is crucial. It also helps if you weird, our patrons are unique and our programming is not are a bit of a risk-taker. Nothing will happen if you don’t try, always reading–related! and enthusiasm can make a big difference. Celebrate small successes and build on them. Over the years we have had both In the world of the public library we will always be seen hits and misses. Our hits include Take Flight & Write an annual as different or somewhat “controversial” and as such we teen writing contest, a successful Red Maple Reading Program, must be vigilant and vocal in our defense. The young people an annual teen summer reading club, a annual summer in our communities need to have not only a place of their poster contest as well as pumpkin carving, mehndi tattooing, own, but also a library that sees them as vital members, beading, poetry reading, and more. worthy of recognition, inclusion, and celebration. Building a successful teen services initiative takes time; it takes One very important element for any teen programming is resources and it takes a commitment from the top level of the food. If there is one thing I have learned it is that food is an organization down. But it can happen and when it does, the absolute when planning teen programming of any sort. If you metamorphosis is remarkable. want teenagers to spend more than 30 minutes in one place you have to provide some sort of snack!

ACCESS 26 SPRING 2005 OCULA Academic Librarian of the Year DON KINDER

Don Kinder is the recipient of the award for OCULA Librarian of the year.

Don is an exemplary practicing librarian at Ryerson University. His contributions to Ryerson, as well as his commitment to OLA and the needs of provincial library professionals are commendable. Don has enriched us all through his dedication to the Ontario Library Association and his commitment to promoting and implementing sessions for professional development, within both OCULA and OLA on the whole.

Don models the kind of dynamism, dedication and enthusiasm that makes him an outstanding choice for this year’s award.

I Really Wanted To Be An Astronaut By Don Kinder

know it’s customary in articles like this for award winners avoided at all cost. These people were nice enough as far as to state why they became librarians and how their lives I could tell, and I liked how they used pencils as jewelry, but Ihave changed because of it. Well, if the truth be told, I that’s where it ended. School projects usually involved a lot really wanted to be an astronaut. Not that there’s anything of aisle-wandering, with a heavy reliance on Reader’s Digest. wrong in being a librarian but, let’s face it, fl ying a rocket is considered to be a bit sexier. As a career choice, space travel Years later, out of pure desperation, I fi nally asked my fi rst certainly seemed like a great idea at the time, (OK, I was 12) reference question (in the third year of my English program but, in light of just having received this wonderful OCULA at university), and was fl abbergasted when shown a handy award, I am so glad it didn’t work out. little tool called the MLA Bibliography. The librarian also seemed a bit shocked by all of this, and more so after I told Had my ambitious career aspiration come true it would, her—over and over again—that she’d just changed my life. I no doubt, be over by now (if not totally dead—who’s been to like to think that this was the moment (and I think it’s true) at the moon lately?) and I’d probably be spending most of my which I decided to become a librarian and to make up for all days at Trekkie conventions, driving cars much too big for the wasted time, energy and missed opportunities; to atone me, and wearing cowboy boots. And besides, as a librarian, for creating uninspiring papers with inbred bibliographies I do get to dabble a bit in the fi eld, thanks to the occasional (and for spending too much time as a teen plotting how to questions we get at the reference desk from the Aerospace get at the “restricted” books behind the adult circulation Engineering students—guys and girls who stride towards me desk), and, most importantly, to help prevent other boys oozing confi dence, (just like astronauts are supposed to), and girls, from nine months to 90 years, from being silly—or and who I very much hold in awe. Their questions, I might afraid—and avoiding reference desks altogether. add, never fail to, uh, challenge me. It seems rather odd to receive an award for something I’m not really sure why, or when, I decided to become a that you really like to do, although a friend of mine has librarian. I did spend a great deal of time in libraries as a assured me that that’s sort of the point. But still, I’m really kid, and always liked them immensely, but at some point in surprised—shocked, actually—and honoured, of course, to my formative years I decided, for no particular reason that I be chosen for this year’s OCULA award. I’ve been incredibly can remember, that interaction with library staff should be lucky over the past 25 years to have met and collaborated

OLA 27 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

with such a remarkable and passionate group of people. mornings while extolling the virtues of information This award is really about all of us and how we’ve worked literacy; long after all of our students are brimming with together to make our careers exciting, rewarding--and academic integrity and we can no longer remember how fun. And I am truly humbled when I think of the incredible we accomplished this; and long after our virtual reference librarians who have received the OCULA Award in previous software has been tweaked to perfection so that even a years; the amazing contributions they have made to our six year old can use it (or perhaps I should say a certain profession, and how so many of them have infl uenced me 47 year old), it’s all these amazing people, librarians, and inspired me so much. teachers, mentors and friends—those who have taught me so much about life and learning and librarianship—who When I think about the course of my career, and what will remain with me always. And included in this list are has made it special to me, it’s not the things that have all you public and school librarians of my childhood (and been listed in the preface to this article that come to mind. cranky adolescence), who I spent so much time avoiding, While I can be proud of many of these things, I do know and yet, after all these years, remember so well. Somehow— that accomplishments can eventually become irrelevant, magically—you got through to me. or obsolete, and that the memories of these achievements fade over time. It’s really the people and partners whom I’ve As academic librarians it’s easy for us, at times, to create met and worked with along the way that remain foremost in our own work worlds that rarely extend beyond our libraries, my mind—those individuals whom I’ve had the privilege of our institutions, and sometimes, sadly, our own offi ces. It is collaborating with and befriending over the years in facing wonderful, however, while drifting about in the doldrums, challenges, solving problems, celebrating successes and, yes, to suddenly have an opportunity come along, often out sometimes crashing with along the way. of the blue, that gives us a kick in the butt and gets us up and out and moving again. I’ve been fortunate throughout So, when I think of what has made my profession as my career to have received a number of these kicks, big a librarian special to me, it is, for example, the kind, and small, and one the best yet was delivered about fi ve welcoming, and immensely patient people of the town of years ago when I was asked to coordinate OCULA’s Super the Port Perry who trusted me with their brand new library Conference sessions. Little did I know that this chance and adopted me as their chief librarian, fresh out of library would open to door to a world that allowed me to work school, green and clueless. Or I think of the two fun-loving alongside and learn from some of the best and most Ryerson engineering professors with whom I had the innovative people in our fi eld. What a treat it was (and privilege of working in one of the poorest and most remote still is) to be working with OCULA award winners, OCULA cities in China, where we faced the challenge of reaching presidents, OLA presidents, and so many others who care so and teaching our eager and appreciative students while much. struggling with language and technological barriers and lots of other glitches, big and small. I also think of my volunteer Nothing compares to the privilege of collaborating with a partner at the AIDS Committee of Toronto Library, a kind team of people who truly love their profession and whose and patient fellow (and an honourary librarian, if ever there goal is to solicit and promote ideas and achievements to was one), who drove a courier truck every day, starting at showcase and share at educational events throughout four a.m., but always managed to spend an evening or two the year, including this amazing event we aptly call each week in the library—for over 12 years—giving its users Super Conference. Involvement in OCULA and OLA is some of the best reference service I’ve ever seen. an opportunity for all of us, academic librarians, public librarians, school librarians, special librarians—all kinds I think my friends at the Ontario Institute for Studies in of librarians—to work together as one in celebrating the Education who taught me how to be an academic librarian, accomplishments and achievements of our profession. and who gave me a priceless set of skills that that I’ll use for Through these wonderful people I’ve learned so much, not the rest of my life. only through my own OCULA colleagues, but also through these remarkable librarians from other divisions with whom And, of course, I think of my colleagues at Ryerson, I probably would never have had the chance to cross paths. where I’ve worked for the past 13 years in an environment This experience, I can honestly say, has been the highlight of where I’ve been supported and encouraged, and been my career. given opportunities of which I never would have dreamed. Ryerson is a place where teamwork and collaboration And so, while the plaque that now hangs on my wall are promoted and celebrated, not only in the library but symbolizes the OCULA Award for academic librarian of the throughout the university, and it shows in many of the year, my actual prize is having worked with and learned initiatives that I have had the privilege of being part of over from such a remarkable group of people. My thanks go to all the past decade. of you.

Long after my fellow Ryerson librarians and I have And astronauts? Hah! They don’t hold a candle to what we forgotten how we fi nally mastered the art of keeping nine can do. hundred business students awake at 9 am on Monday

ACCESS 28 SPRING 2005 THE WILLIAM J. ROBERTSON MEDALLION OLBA Librarian of the Year GEOFFREY P. NIE

Geoff Nye is the CEO of the Ajax Public Library and has been involved in the library community for 33 years. His impressive efforts include the construction of the new Ajax main library, the Ajax Public Library Multicultural Collection, the Pickering-Ajax Digital Archives, and one of the most dynamic Friends groups in the province. On the provincial level, he has served as Chair of the Ontario Library Service Centre Board, is a founding member of the Education Safety Association of Ontario and has served four years as an OPLA councilor. A Career Revisited By Geoffrey P. Nie

I was honoured to receive the 2005 W. J. Robertson Trent Cooperative Publicity Committee (TCPC), “One Place Medallion, conferred by the Ontario Library Boards’ To Look”, The Education Safety Association (ESAO), The Association as its selection for the Librarian of the Year. This Library Services Centre (LSC) and their multilingual service, award has provided me the opportunity to look back for that and most recently the Counting Opinions Web-based common thread that has come to mark the character of my customer satisfaction survey for public libraries. career. When I undertook my fi rst position as chief librarian The tapestry of a career is not a conscious focus, at least it for the King Township Public Library Board, I was naive has not been for me, but more of an unconscious attraction enough to believe that every library had access to a to those issues that best refl ect your own concerns and source of the publicity materials required to promote that, through time, eventually evolve into an overall service the library, its programs, and services. I quickly learned philosophy. As I review the past years, a defi nite pattern the error of my ways, as my original request landed me emerges. These endeavours that mark some of the high with my very own sketchpad and box of coloured pencils. points have a common theme. They benefi t my own library Things had to change, as anyone who has seen my artistic but on another level, they have a benefi t for the larger library accomplishments can well imagine! Out of this revelation community. A few of the more obvious examples include the came an idea that grew into the Trent Cooperative Publicity

OLA 29 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

Committee. This resulted in a collection of professionally for the smaller library systems’ inability to adequately produced fl yers and calendars available to all libraries at a serve its growing and increasingly diverse multi-cultural reasonable cost, in quantities to meet their requirements. communities. I felt that LSC had a role to play in meeting Libraries across the Province could use them to promote this specialized need. However, a business case was needed their own programs and services. With the cooperation to establish the viability of such a service. When the Ajax of the S-OLS, these publicity materials were produced, Public Library was planning its new Main Library, I had stored, and distributed to libraries throughout Ontario, and the opportunity to approach LSC with a plan and the I had my source for materials to promote my own library’s money to help fund that business study. As a result, the programs and services. multilingual service at APL was off and running. Through creative fi nancing, and LSC’s cooperation and willingness In 1988, I was fortunate to be one of the 35 delegates to help, the Ajax Public Library has established a collection invited to attend the strategic planning session at the that includes thousands of print and non-print items in 20 Millcroft Inn that after two years of planning and research different languages. LSC has a viable multilingual collection resulted in the publication of “One Place To Look - an development service that serves public libraries throughout Ontario Public Library Strategic Plan”. The work of the Issue Ontario. A province wide service to meet a local library need. Teams and Advisory Committees produced a document that made the case for a provincial library agency to coordinate Early in 2004, I received a phone call from a principal of the development of a province-wide public library Counting Opinions Ltd. He was interested in developing information network. At the 2005 OLA Super Conference, a permanent Web-based customer satisfaction survey for I attended the inaugural meeting of the Federation of public libraries, and he wondered if the Ajax Public Library Ontario Public Libraries. A dream, started in “One Place would be interested in participating as a beta test site. As the to Look” and nurtured for eighteen years by the Strategic only ISO certifi ed public library in Ontario, I was attracted Development Council, has been realized. The support of the to this idea. One of the required elements of maintaining library community has made this possible, and its ongoing an ISO quality system is an effective customer feedback support is essential if the Federation is to realize those lofty process. These two needs fi t, and I agreed to participate. In expectations expressed so many years ago. January 2005, we completed the beta site test. I was happy to attend the fi rst LibSat User Group meeting at the recent OLA As a result of working with the Education Sector Super Conference. I met the other participating libraries Management Coordinator of the Workplace Health and and learned that OLA has come on board to coordinate Safety Agency, I was offered the opportunity of joining the marketing of this innovative product that will serve the a group of Education Sector colleagues, to establish the library community well in this era of increasing electronic Education Safety Association of Ontario (ESAO). That group, and remote access services. representing organized labour, universities and colleges, public, separate and French language school boards, Enough of this trip down memory lane. As I stated public libraries and museums, was charged with the task earlier, one does not consciously choose the specifi c of creating ESAO to administer the Workplace Safety and career direction according to a preordained theme but Insurance Act, under the guidance and direction of the in retrospect, a common thread does emerge. I thank the Workplace Safety Insurance Board. This group became the Ontario Library Boards’ Association for the honour of being fi rst Board of Directors of ESAO, and under its direction, selected as the Librarian of the Year. It will always hold a high the Association’s Executive Director developed services and place in the memories of my professional accomplishments. programs, and a staffi ng structure to serve the needs of their I also thank them and the OLA for providing me an clientele. I was proud to serve with this group and to hold opportunity to sit back and contemplate the past 33 years, every executive position of the Board of Directors, including and anticipate what the years ahead may hold. The truly Chairman of Board for 1999 and 2000. The ESAO today remarkable aspect of this experience is the realization that is a vibrant and energetic organization, that is providing my colleagues and Board felt that my efforts were worth creative programs, services, and materials to educate its consideration, and the effort it took to compile the “Book of constituents about health and safety in the workplace, and Geoff” that comprised their application for my nomination. their responsibility to ensure that all workers in Ontario get The work will always hold a special place in my heart, and in home safely at the end of each and every workday my personally prized book collection. Finally, I wish to thank my Board for enabling me to head off on these periodic I had the honour of serving on the Library Services Centre adventures. Without their support and faith in a positive (LSC) Board of Directors for several years. During that result, these realities would not have been accomplished. time, I developed and increased awareness and concern

ACCESS 30 SPRING 2005 THE JAMES BAIN MEDALLION ETHAN MINGS

Ethan Mings has been a member of the Lincoln Public Library Board since he was fi rst appointed in 1986. His appreciation for and knowledge of the Ontario Public Libraries Act is fundamental to all that he has contributed as a member of the board. Ethan has ensured that the board was informed and mindful of its fundamental responsibilities in respect of the principles for service and governance as set out in the Act, no matter what the issue over almost 20 years.

Seizing the DAY By Ethan Mings

am honoured to be the recipient of the James Bain Medallion. I now join Ia scroll of honourees that includes Margaret Andrewes, the earliest recipient in 1984 – a woman with an enduring passion for the story a library tells. A word or two more later…

My interest in the dynamic role that the library can play in shaping the moods and attitudes of our lives harkens back to the days when I was a high school principal. That position provided me with the opportunity to play a lead role in the implementation of the library’s curriculum document of that era – “Partners in Action”. I seized that advocacy moment with all the vigour that my position afforded.

I encouraged teacher-librarians to become members of OSLA and to make their libraries a magnet for all points of contact that the community of the

OLA 31 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

school offered. For me, a highlight of their efforts included an I said earlier that I would say a word or two about Margaret extravaganza of a presentation, a fi gurative red carpet welcome Andrewes. I have found a word: Indefatigable! Her to the world of library, for the incoming Grade nine students! accomplishments are on record. Our passion for striving to get things done right has been the glue and joy of our friendship. Enough reminiscing! Times have changed, yet one gem of truth remains: Technology without teacher librarians is a Finally, let me mention another Lincolnite, Sue Culp, now picture with a serious fault line. Metaphor mixed on purpose. president of OLBA and playing a role in the major political and professional arena – FOPL. Congratulations Sue! In the sunset of my professional career, I had the good fortune to meet Elizabeth Cummings, our CEO in 1985. If I am amazed that I am the recipient of such a prestigious you look in the direction of Peter Rogers, you can observe that medallion for simply doing what has to be done in the trenches he is genufl ecting at the mention of her name. Her untimely of service where FOPL…F-O-P-L read backwards means “Local passing sent shock waves through the library world. When Politics Often Frustrate”. I do what all trustees do and should Elizabeth encouraged me to become a member of the library be embarrassed when they fall short of the mark. Here’s a basic board, I genufl ected also. list of six commandments:

Over the years the board has been a training ground for at 1)Read the board package before the meeting; least four current Town Councillors, the most recent being Margaret Andrewes. We made sure that they all carried to the Council table a philosophical mindset about the library – a 2) Read the substantive contributions to Access and Feliciter mindset that sits as our mantra. Namely, that the cultivation in particular, using whatever ideas are conducive to the of the mind is as imperative as the responsibility for the proper enhancement of the services and programmes; maintenance of the Town’s infrastructure. That the Mayor of our Town, who some years ago addressed me as “Sir” because I was his Latin teacher, is reading from the same page of our 3) Read the “Public Libraries Act” and the trustee kit prepared values book, is indeed a fact worthy of mention. by the ubiquitous Randee Loucks;

It is a tribute to the board that, of late, it has enjoyed, however not without a touch of pain, the experience of a brain drain… 4) Relish, if I may quote the phrase of Neil Postman, the role First, Rose Vespa to Brantford Public Library. Rose, in your of being the “crap detector”. words of recommendation for this medallion, I was touched by the intensity of your feeling and the succinctness of your expression. Mille Grazie! 5) Make a joyful smile as you play the role of the Socratic gadfl y and take with grace the occasional rebuke by the chair; And to Sharon McMillan, whose enthusiasm and commitment are refl ected in her record of service as chair of the board for seven consecutive years, I say thank you for the 6) Last but not least, fi nd solutions that go beyond the warm words of nomination. band aids of the moment. This thought, more elegantly expressed, would be described as “strategic thinking”. Then, Karen McGrath to the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library… To step into the shoes, polished with the experience of Gerda’s years of dedicated service, was no mean challenge! Now you have to know that this medallion carries the subtlety Her comment to me on that challenge bears repeating. “My of quid pro quo. There are times when one is required to sing years at the National Library in Ottawa, culminating in the for one’s supper. For this medallion, you have to write an position of executive advisor to the National Librarian, Roch article of a certain length for the spring edition of Access. Carrier, often stretched my capabilities to the limit; but This is my article of a song for my supper. Lincoln’s library board and staff certainly put me through my paces and readied me to serve the community of Niagara-on- the-Lake.”

ACCESS 32 SPRING 2005 CENTRALIZED ACCESS TO THE WORK OF Reuben R. Sallows

By Marian Doucette, Information Services Coordinator Sallows Project Director, Huron County Library

he Reuben R. Sallows Digital Library (www. sallowsgallery.ca) is an on-line resource produced Tby the Huron County Library, in collaboration with the Reuben R. Sallows Gallery. This site provides centralized access to geographically dispersed collections of pictorial art created during by Canadian photographic pioneer Reuben R. Sallows (1855-1937), plus biographical information, virtual exhibits, research materials and themed “learning” activities.

More than 900 original photographs, stereoscopic cards, postcards, and carte-de-visite, provided by six partnering institutions across Southwestern Ontario, have been converted to digital format, catalogued and mounted within this online repository for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Photographs that are too fragile to be handled or exhibited can now be searched and viewed on-line by anyone from anywhere.

Recognition for Sallows’ commercial work earned him praise as “Canada’s Photographic Genius.” His pictures of “domestic scenes, pictures of rural life, views of nature in her wildest and loveliest moods, hunting, Sallows, Reuben R. “Self-portrait, Reuben R. fi shing, boating, camping and outdoor pastimes” (Busy Sallows.” Date Unknown. Printed with permission of Man’s Magazine, May 1909) were published extensively The Reuben R. Sallows Digital Library. in numerous publications all over North America and Britain.

OLA 33 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

Sallows, Reuben R. “[Man sowing wheat.]” 1911. Printed with permission of The Reuben R. Sallows Digital Library.

The Reuben R. Sallows Digital Library - presented by Huron County Public Library

The Reuben R. Sallows Digital Library (www.sallowsgallery. Archives and Special Collections, The University of Western ca) produced by The Huron County Library, in collaboration Ontario Archives, and Archives of Ontario. with The Sallows Gallery, provides centralized access to six geographically dispersed collections of pictorial art created In addition to providing easy access to catalogued images during the 60-year career of Canadian photographic pioneer for comparison or research purposes, the site features Reuben R. Sallows (1855-1937). Funded in part by the Ontario publications created by the library and gallery, biographical Ministry of Culture, Department of Canadian Heritage and information on Sallows, virtual exhibits, research materials, the County of Huron, this site features a searchable database and Pastimes - themed learning activities. This site serves of over 900 digitized images of Sallows’ work found in to increase public awareness of Ontario’s agricultural collections from The Sallows Gallery, Huron County Museum, history, while promoting and encouraging appreciation of the Huron County Historical Society, University of Guelph Library, photography created by “Canada’s photographic genius.”

ACCESS 34 SPRING 2005 It was his studies of farmers at work however, that comprise the most popular, admired and recognized images of a commercial career which included work for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and constitute a remarkable and signifi cant historical record of the lives of Canadians around the turn of the century.

Vision

When staffs from the Huron County Library and The Gallery initiated the idea of collaborating on a digitization project, the base collection of approximately 200 original photographs, donated by the photographer’s daughter, Nancy Cooke, for the sole purpose of founding the Reuben R. Sallows Gallery housed in the Goderich Branch Library, was neither catalogued nor searchable.

As such, the collection represented a major but under-utilized historical-cultural resource. This project, utilizing the strengths of both organizations, would remedy the situation, providing a method to preserve, conserve and store this collection of historic photographs while providing increased accessibility.

Seeking the Picture

The Reuben R. Sallows Digital Library goes beyond its initial role of a “collections Sallows, Reuben R. “[Man writing while seated on logs in snow.]” 1917. management” tool, recreating the experience of Printed with permission of The Reuben R. Sallows Digital Library. visiting a fi ne art gallery in a virtual world. Visitors have access to on-line exhibitions, including curatorial comments, research materials, and themed learning activities that unite the digital images with textual information about the career, subjects, and techniques of this renowned photographer.

With these functions in mind, the attractive graphic design enhances the searching, learning and presentation functions of this collection ensuring that the Sallows camera continues to contribute towards a composite image of rural agrarian life in Ontario.

Support from the Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Culture: Library Strategic Development Fund, and the Government of Canada, through a Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage Internship Grant, permitted library and gallery staff to design and create this searchable database.

Team Members working on The Reuben R. Sallows Digital Library included (l to r) Marian Doucette, Project Director, Robin Wark, Curator, The Sallows Gallery, and Peter Marval, Web Site Developer (seated).

OLA 35 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

Framing the Shot dispersed collections of Sallows’ works located across Southwestern Ontario – namely, the Reuben R. Sallows The two partnering organizations agreed that converting Gallery, Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol, Huron Sallows’ original photographs into electronic images was only County Historical Society, University of Guelph Library, one step in this digitization project. An integral part was the Archival and Special Collections, University of Western creation of a database which could be used for “collections Ontario Libraries, and Archives of Ontario. management” purposes, and computer-facilitated retrieval and display. For visitors to the site, it is this fi nding aid The need for strong communication and coordination functionality that satisfi es their desire to see the images among the partners was identifi ed midway through the captured by Sallows and encourages repeat visits. project, necessitating a change in “how we did business.” Communication through e-mail was not always useful, as The Search the Collection feature is intended for use by not all staff from partnering agencies were equally reliant on a wide range of users – teachers and students, novice to it as a tool. Use of a blog, or weblog, which could be used as professional researcher, historian and hobbyist - serving as a a “bulletin board” of directions or chronological journal of tool for self-discovery. updates to the project, was introduced.

Searches can be conducted using the drop-down menu Sharing the Photograph of subject categories, or by keyword(s) of indexed fi elds. Collection templates, based on the Dublin Core metadata Designed for and in consultation with audiences, students, standard, were created in producing this database, and enable teachers, historians, archivists, librarians and others seeking advanced search functionality including Boolean search and and/or creating digital photographic collections, the full search of indexed fi elds. collaborative partners agreed that this digital project should be both versatile and user-friendly. Acquisition of new and unfamiliar technologies, integration of work fl ows from multiple institutions, recruitment Rigorous beta testing of all aspects of the digital library was of volunteers to participate in usability testing, and held two months prior to completion of the project, when development of text content that would meet the needs of a a select group of users, including grade six students, were variety of audiences were among the challenges embraced by invited to “push the site to the limits” - testing the Pastimes team members Robin Wark, Curator of The Sallows Gallery, section with its games, jigsaw puzzles and interactive learning Web designer Peter Marval, and Marian Doucette, Project activities, plus the Send A Postcard feature. Director. From this usability assessment, it was recognized that our Huron County Library played a lead role in areas of audiences varied in age, searching skill level, and research technology acquisition and design of the database sophistication. In order to attract student visitors to the site construction/applications, and assumed responsibility for and encourage them to make repeat visits, two instructional organizing, cataloguing and monitoring the implementation training presentations for distribution to area schools and of the project. To this end, two procedural manuals, Creating libraries were developed. the Framework (www.sallowsgallery.ca/pix-forpages/ CreatingTheFramework.pdf) and Metadata Guidelines (www. These screen-based movies, created using Camtasia sallowsgallery.ca/pix-forpages/rrs-metadata-guidelines.pdf), software, have been made available as a CD-Rom, and used used for staff training during the project are published on the independently or during staff-led information sessions about site. the site.

Exposing the Picture “With the development of this extensive collaborative project, The Gallery’s outreach is made global, embracing The power of partnerships and visioning continued when it the language and technology of the 21st Century to promote was realized that this online searchable database, facilitated the artistic skills of Reuben R. Sallows to educators and bringing together the historic photographic collections of researchers in Canada and beyond,” says Huron County multiple partnering institutions across Southwestern Ontario. Librarian Beth Ross. Together we could ensure the preservation and promotion of this valuable collection of images, currently within the The Reuben R. Sallows Digital Library demonstrates the public domain, creating one centralized location from which strengths and possibilities available when cultural agencies researchers could easily access these images for comparison partner to share resources, apart from collections, such as or research. servers, software and staff expertise to bring national and international attention to their communities’ heritage. Institutional support in the form of shared resources & staff expertise was provided from six other geographically

ACCESS 36 SPRING 2005 OPLA Children’s Librarian of the Year DELILAH DEANE CUMMINGS

Delilah Deane Cummings has been aptly described as a person “The dynamic part of Delilah’s work is the way in which she who possesses seemingly boundless energy much of which she can engage the stumbling beginning reader and lure the fl uent has expended on behalf of youth in London, Ontario and beyond reader with eccentric tastes in literature...She has swept teachers for the past 20 years as an integral part of Children’s Services at into a larger world of Children’s literature beyond the grocery London Public Library. She was instrumental in developing the store shelves and the school Book club orders to a broader range innovative “A Book for Every Child” campaign in 1991 which has of authors and genres. She has guided parents, often fearful ensured that thousands of children are given the joy of owning of public institutions and education into the world of literature, their own books. Delilah has also shared her knowledge and fi nding books in their fi rst language, fi nding books that supported expertise with a broad spectrum of community agencies including their culture, fi nding books a functionally illiterate parent could Investing in Children, London International Children’s Festival and read to their child and providing safety to explore a world often London Children’s Connection, as well as professional groups closed to the disadvantaged parent.” such as Canadian Association of Children’s Librarians and the Silver Birch Reading Program task force. In the eloquent words of Delilah’s dedication has indeed left a legacy of leadership to a London teacher : children, their families, caregivers, teachers and to the library profession.

A Book for Every Child®

By Delilah Deane Cummings

t has been my privilege to participate in the development of wonderful ... and helps to make a positive difference.” library and community programs for children. This is the Post-campaign thank you letter from community agency Istory of one very successful project. “The children that we select to receive your books are truly A Book for Every Child® promotes awareness of the kids in need. These are kids that would otherwise possibly importance of books in a child’s life, supports family literacy never own a book of their own.” and has a direct and lasting impact on children in our Thank you letter received post-campaign community. Children’s Library staff at London Public’s Central Library initiated the project. A Book for Every Child® engages A Book for Every Child® began with a Children’s Library staff public sector agencies (London Public Library, agencies serving member’s casual observation over coffee in October 1992, that children and families in London and area), private sector many children in this city never know the pleasure of owning partners (booksellers, local media), the volunteer sector (corps a book. Noting that there were many successful programs in of the public sector agencies, including The Friends of the London focusing on children and families in physical need, London Public Library) and the general public. such as Coats for Kids, and Food Bank drives, the Children’s Library proposed collecting donated books for redistribution “I often think about your ads in the newspaper featuring a to children through local agencies. There was ample room child hugging a book. It is quite appropriate as so many of in London for a project that focused on the need for the these children do really treasure their book....Your program is enrichment of children’s lives: food for the imagination.

OLA 37 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

The initial project was successful: in 1992 the London Public staff sort the books into age categories for children from birth Library distributed more than 4,500 books to children through to about 16 years of age. Participating agencies provide us with eight different agencies. A Book for Every Child® has grown information regarding the number of books they require for considerably since then – 6,500 to 10,000 books are now each category. Staff select and pack books and arrangements distributed each year through 36 agencies serving children and are made for the agency to pick up the boxes. Selection by families in London and area. trained children’s services staff is an element that distinguishes this project from other similar projects. How It Works Agencies determine how and when the books are given to children. The only stipulation we make is that the books This is a year-round project with an annual campaign during must be given to individual children and are not to be used as November and December. People are asked to donate new resource books by the agency. We have been able to give some books or to make a fi nancial contribution at any London Public donated materials – colouring books, good books in less than Library location. Local booksellers offer 20% off the price of a pristine condition – to agencies for their use (in waiting rooms, new book donated to A Book for Every Child ®. With the help of group activities, etc.). volunteers, books are delivered to the Children’s Library where

ACCESS 38 SPRING 2005 Financial donations allow us to purchase books for high- of the annual campaign. The project also benefi ts the Friends’ demand age groups. We have received generous fi nancial annual book sale, as books that are unsuitable for distribution donations from employee groups and through corporate are given to the Friends to sell. donation. Tax receipts are issued for fi nancial donations of $10 and more and 100% of these donations are used to purchase Community books for distribution. “Your support and the incredible skill of your staff to fi nd such Partners wonderful literature for the children are greatly appreciated.” Thank you letter received from a community agency In 1993, The London Free Press approached us and offered their support for the project. They assist with the preparation Through this project we have developed and strengthened of the ads and donate advertising space during the campaign. inter-agency relationships, allowing us to work co-operatively They also insert a “thank you” ad, post-campaign. with a variety of agencies serving children and families to achieve common goals. These agencies provide services and resources When A Book for Every Child® was in its third year, in the areas of education, health, social services support, crisis community support for the Library was enhanced by the intervention, recreation and special needs support. The project birth of a new organization. The Friends of the London Public has helped raise awareness of Library services and resources Library was formed to advocate and fundraise on behalf of the within the professional community, and helped Library staff Library and provide assistance with programs and events. The understand the role and function of these agencies. It promotes Friends quickly found a niche for their energy with A Book for links between local booksellers, the Library and the book-buying Every Child® - delivering publicity material to participating public. Most important among the benefi ts is the promise of and bookstores, picking up donations for delivery to the Library and connection to the brighter, larger world of the imagination for speaking to groups about the project. Friends have become children who receive the gift of a book. deeply committed to the Library’s literacy outreach, and A Book for Every Child® is a favourite project of its members, so much “I only wish the donors could have seen the delighted faces of so that many Londoners have joined Friends because of its the children. They really found it hard to believe that the book connection with this worthy program. wasn’t on loan - it was their very own!” Thank you letter from a community agency “The volunteer opportunity presented by this project inspired me to join the Friends of the Library.” Member of the Friends of the London Public Library

For the past four years the Friends of the Library have worked with staff to organize an author event for the November launch

OLA 39 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

OSLA Teacher Librarian of the Year CHRISTINE HOUSE

Christine House, teacher-librarian at Loyola Secondary School in Mississauga, is the recipient of the Teacher- Librarian of the Year Award for 2005.

Christine has a rich background in teaching at the elementary and secondary level, and brings a lot of vitality, innovation, creativity and certainly a wealth of information to her position as Teacher-Librarian at Loyola. She incorporates her teaching experience with her library background and produces one very well rounded lesson for teachers, staff and students.

Christine is a well-rounded individual, dedicated not only to her library work but the community in general, and we all benefi t from her efforts.

THE T-L: The Original Multi-Tasker By Christine House

would like to thank OSLA for this prestigious award. This librarians in our schools. Faced with a new curriculum which organization has provided me with guidance, information did not defi ne our vital role…this impressive document was Iand education throughout my career as a teacher-librarian. produced. Talk about pro-activity! I have been infl uenced and taught by many of its leading lights: Rose Dotten, Sya Van Geest, Cathi Gibson, the charming and I started at Loyola as teacher-librarian and department head gracious Peter Rogers, Tim Gauntley and Mark Kaminisky. I 6 1/2 years ago, I also have been an elementary T-L as well as attended Tim Gauntley’s The Tao of School Librarianship at a high school T-L. I have also taught in the classroom in both the Super Conference and found it inspiring and thought- elementary and secondary. provoking. The T-L is the original multi-tasker – and here are some of the The OSLA documents are important to me ….those essential tasks as I see them and as articulated by a Vision paper documents are the inspiration and the framework for any penned by T-Ls in my own school board, Dufferin_Peel Catholic successful library programme. In the face of change, the OSLA District School Board. rises up and produces data and information and guidance to teacher-librarians. We are a group who needs the strong Their main tasks are identifi ed and they are: leadership of an organization like OSLA. We have such a vital function in the school system yet we are sometimes ignored 1. Curriculum Development And Leadership and overlooked. OSLA celebrates the role of the T-L. OSLA’s 2. Information Management formidable curriculum document Information Studies K-12 3. Collaborative Program Planning And Teaching represents the strong commitment of OSLA to having teacher-

ACCESS 40 SPRING 2005 So how do you begin to implement change in a library, with with activity….classes in the cross-curricular lab, students these tasks in mind? using the library computers for independent research and word processing, teachers working independently in our space, A strong relationship with the school administration is students and tutors working together, classes arriving. essential. So I began by meeting with the principal…..we talked about his vision for the library and my vision for the library… I am a strong advocate for the proper use of electronic and we made a plan. resources and have developed information and presentations around use of the Web for research, plus plagiarism, proper I kept a high profi le in the school, joining committees, having citation use, creating works cited and developing lists of open houses, offering to attend department meetings, or hosting websites. I have developed presentations which I can deliver in department meetings in the Library….grabbing any opportunity the classroom or the library and have developed presentations I could to interact with staff and students. I spent the fi rst few for staff, parent groups and students. I believe that students, months learning about the resources. Loyola already had a solid with proper instruction and guidance can be successful in the library programme. use of electronic resources. T-L’s must embrace this electronic/ digital age…….we must lead the way. I wanted the library to be welcoming. We re-organized the physical space and established a teaching area. I developed a Reading is so important for students when they evaluate Grade 9 Library Orientation activity right away. And any class electronic and print resources…..we need to promote reading who booked into the Library was welcomed by me when they in our libraries. Students who read with ease are always at an arrived. I wanted the staff/students to interact with me…even if advantage in the research process. Paraphrasing, summarizing it was just a welcome to the space. and scanning require that student’s have strong reading skills. So I encourage Loyola’s teachers to emphasize reading in their I think we need to meet teachers where they are….some classrooms and to make time each day for reading. want collaboration that is more high-end than others…..but at fi rst if a teacher only wants books pulled…that’s what I do. So what does the future hold? The impact that a strong Tim Gauntley’s session at the Super Conference talked about library program has on students’ success is documented. The simplicity, patience and compassion – keep these in mind as you two Colorado studies and the Alaska study all point to the approach students and staff. connection between student academic success and a strong library programme. And a strong library programme has a Social science teachers were the fi rst customers back then.. teacher-librarian in every school… so the future looks great. Today I work with almost every department from math to computers to English to co-op to social science…..I am Right? Maybe. confi dent that my involvement in an assignment helps…my expertise in fi nding and locating electronic and print resources Why, given the documented evidence, would a school board helps the process and my experience with planning lessons interested in the success of their students get rid of T-Ls and from applied grade 9 math classes to academic Grade 12 history close libraries? classes is an asset. Most teachers are happy to have a partner working with them. This past semester I had a wonderful Ken Haycock in his report The Crisis in Canada’s School experience working with a grade 12 English class studying King Libraries states the following: “… in schools with well-stocked, Lear. The teacher and I planned and introduced and worked well-equipped school libraries and managed by qualifi ed and with the students as they developed their presentations. I was motivated professional, teacher-librarians working with support there for the evaluation piece of the assignment when they staff can expect: presented their seminars to the class. Planning and executing an assignment together as ‘Partners in Action’ is my ultimate goal * capable and avid readers and a favourite part of my job. * learners who are information literate * teachers who are partnering with the teacher-librarian to Information Management create high quality learning experiences.”

The use of electronic resources was emerging as a new element I work for the Dufferin Peel CD School Board and we have of research in Sept 1998 when I began at Loyola. Students need a teacher-librarian in every school. To the west of our school to have access to electronic information. I recognized that I board are boards who have closed their libraries and eliminated needed to get involved in IT at our school and joined the IT the teacher-librarian position from their schools. What are they committee. At fi rst I was only interested in the library’s access thinking? to computers and the library’s hardware/software needs. But IT became more than that to me, and with the arrival of a new School Boards with responsible, well-informed trustees and principal in 2001/2002, my involvement in IT increased. I leaders with vision will know that the library and the teacher- chaired our IT committee for three years and during that time librarian are the keys to their ultimate goal… the development I witnessed the emergence of excellent, legitimate electronic of independent, educated and literate individuals. Those school resources. Information technology literacy is essential for boards will keep the library opened and keep the teacher today’s students…and the teacher librarian can and should librarian working… there is a lot to do. become a school leader in this area. Our library today is bustling

OLA 41 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005

OSLA Special Achievement Award ESTHER ROSENFELD

Esther Rosenfeld, the Toronto District School Board’s District-Wide Co-Ordinator for Library and Learning Resources, has been recognized by the Ontario School Library Association with the OSLA Award for Special Achievement for her dedicated leadership in school libraries at the school, board, and provincial level.

At the TDSB, Esther is responsible for 575 TDSB elementary and secondary school libraries, and more than 60 staff who provide technical support, professional library services and media collection development and distribution.

Her work in designing the TDSB library system and providing program support to board teacher-librarians has been outstanding. She has been, and continues to be, a strong advocate for the importance of school libraries and school librarians in schools and is well known within the TDSB and indeed throughout the education community provincially as a collaborative, inspiring and encouraging leader.

Esther has contributed to Ministry of Education curriculum documents and has served as the president of the Ontario School Library Association. Throughout her career in education, she has been an integral force in ensuring the best training in curriculum policy, curriculum implementation and information technology.

OSLA 2005 President Anita Brooks Kirkland, S&B Books’ Richard Greer and OSLA 2004 President Roberta Henley with Award winner, Esther Rosenfeld.

ACCESS 42 SPRING 2005 Is About LIFE Showing Up By Esther Rosenfeld

am very honoured to receive this award and would like to • Our amalgamated Professional Library, led by Rowan Amott, express a sincere thank you to OSLA Council for selecting represents what happens when best practice is adopted as Ime as its recipient. I would also like to thank the group who you merge from six to one. TDSB staff know how fortunate did the nominating. I was genuinely surprised, which for those they are to have access to a large collection of print and of you who know me well, is not one of my usual states of mind. electronic resources, but even more so to the research At one point in the November OSLA Council meeting, I was told assistance of a staff of exceptional expertise. that I had to go to Larry’s offi ce to talk with him for “a while,” and I did so, puzzling over why I was being banished from the • Our amalgamated Media Resource Library, led by Connie meeting. This was the reason. Ruscica, is another example of how consolidation and adoption of best practice and new technology , results in Receiving an award forces one to do some refl ecting and enhanced, equitable resource support for schools. The large some choosing of words. So while I am honoured and proud increase in circulation is proof of these enhanced resources to receive this, I feel I can only accept this as the leader of and service. the Toronto District School Board team. What a team! In the summer of 1999, when we began the amalgamation of six school • Our team of teacher-librarians in 550 plus schools are the boards (complete with different histories and cultures), I would folks who are living proof of “exceptional achievement” every not have been able to predict what a great success it would be day. in terms of the school library community. The vision our central program group developed in 1999 holds true today. We wanted I sometimes joke that my job consists of being the ringmaster to improve support for school libraries by adopting best practice of a multi-ring circus fi lled with all kinds of magical parallel to create and sustain a support infrastructure, by making activity going on in the various rings. Remember the ringmaster changes that were necessary, by providing the best professional doesn’t have any particular talent, yet showcases and draws development, by providing the best resources equitably to all attention to the multi-talented performers. I see myself as the schools, and by never thinking that the job was done. enabler of marvellous talent, so I’ve done my best to develop the vision and to fi nd the money and the staff to allow those magical What’s been accomplished: things to happen.

• We have an Instructional Team that provides outstanding I am also honoured for the recognition for work done as OSLA professional development and astounding support for our president, and am grateful for the wonderful council team and teacher-librarians. Team 1 consisted of Rose Dodgson, Cathi the supportive OLA staff with whom I have worked. OSLA’s Gibson-Gates, Mark Kaminski, and Carol Koechlin followed vision has been a consistent one, but here full success is still to by Team 2 of Kevin Bradbeer, Rose Dodgson, Tim Gauntley, come. OSLA hasn’t managed signifi cant change at the Ministry Jo-Anne LaForty, complemented by Lisa Teodosio, and Peggy of Education yet. We don’t have the Ontario Digital Library Thomas. What a group of committed, hard-working, brilliant, to provide equitable access to resources yet. But all that and and talented people who are also fun to work with. What more are coming because I see common sense rising from the amazing work we’ve done together—Summer Institutes, destruction of the Common Sense Revolution. What you learn sell-out workshops during the school year, the School Library as president of the association, is to have patience, and to stay Handbook, the Student Research Guide, School Library Web committed to our convictions and our message. You also meet Sites 1 and 2, Mission and Goals, Administrator’s Handbook, wonderful people, and get much more from the Association a variety of other publications, brochures, tip sheets, the than you give. I urge you all to involve yourselves more if you busiest e-mail subject conference in the TDSB, and much can, and I know you will feel the same way. more to come. In closing, I’m going to offer a tiny bit of philosophy. According • We have developed a wonderful Technical Services support to the eminent philosopher, Woody Allen, life’s about showing system to help our teacher-librarians do their professional up! It’s about doing rather than having things done for or to you, work. Pat Steenbergen, Max Guennel, and Olivia Luong it’s about taking responsibility, it’s about standing up for your have led a dedicated support staff through a technical core beliefs, and about doing the right thing. I try to show up amalgamation of great complexity (imagine a union every day. catalogue and circulation System for 550 + schools), while constantly improving the level of technology and of service.

OLA 43 SPRING 2005 The Association Award Winners 2005 Other awards in brief

Ministry of Culture 2004 PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE AWARD WINNERS

Each year, the Ministry of Culture gives public library service awards at Super Conference. The Hon. Madeleine Meilleur provided a gracious presence for the presentation of the following awards at the annual OLBA/OPLA Public Library Awards presentation and dinner.

THE ANGUS MOWAT AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Small library category Large library category

• The Wainfl eet Township Public Library built on the • The Kingston Frontenac Public Library’s Book Clubs already established TD Summer Reading Program. have energized readers of all ages throughout the “Reluctant” readers aged 4-12 took part in themed community. It includes the “Rants-and-Raves” Bulletin sessions and fi eld trips to Dundurn Castle and to an Board, the Book Club Webpage and the round table archery supplier. Pursuing themes such as dragons, Book Club with a Difference for Adults. The program was quests, and magic, the program enhanced literacy skills so successful that three more clubs will be launched this and reinforced the importance of the library. Participants year. read a total of 3,379 books over the course of the summer.

ACCESS 44 SPRING 2005 THE MINISTER’S AWARD FOR INNOVATION

recognizes successful new approaches that demonstrates a positive impact in a community and is of continued value for public libraries.

Small library category

• The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation Public Library and Pickering Public Library have struck an exemplary partnership. Pickering assists Georgina Island by donating surplus collections. By selecting books to Toronto Public Library CEO Josephine Bryant and Board Chair Gillian Mason respond to the needs and interests in Georgina Island, recieve the Minister’s Award for Innovation from Hon. Madeleine Meilleur. Pickering gains an understanding of contemporary First Nation communities. OHLA Lifetime Achievement Award KATHY YOU

Large library category Kathy You of Sault Ste. Marie received the Ontario Health Librarians’ Association 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award. • The Barrie Public Library’s Dragon Boat Festival Kathy worked as a hospital librarian in Sault Ste. Marie for fundraising project was part of Barrie’s sesquicentennial over 25 years, developing and promoting health libraries celebration. With the library’s leadership, the event in Northern Ontario. Her retirement in 2004 ended a brought together 25 sponsors, 170 volunteers, 4,000 distinguished and respected 37-year professional career. participants and 30 dragon boat teams. It raised a total As Kathy said for her acceptance of the award, “Managing of $74,388 for 22 charities, and increased awareness a medical library as a solo librarian in a town with no other about the library. health sciences library was a huge challenge. Belonging to professional associations is a must. You learn so much • The Toronto Public Library’s Ontario History Quest is from networking with your colleagues.” an innovative, curriculum-based website created in partnership with the Archives of Ontario and the City of Toronto Archives. Covering 150 years of Ontario history from 1820 to 1970, it provides access to primary source materials and classroom-ready resources to support curriculum needs of Grades 7, 8, 10 and 12.

• The Waterloo Public Library, in partnership with the Waterloo County Quilters’ Guild, launched the innovative Books and Quilts Program. Children’s stories are depicted in quilts that are then loaned, along with the books, to daycare, schools, local public libraries, and other childcare organizations. One quilt has circulated 23 times in the community and has been cuddled by over 2,400 children. This program fosters literacy, the region’s heritage and the appreciation of a good story.

Kathy You receives her Award from OHLA’s Jami Van Haaften.

OLA 45 SPRING 2005 Access Photo Essay Super Conference 2005

LEFT: OPLA’s Sam Coghlan, OSLA’s Roberta Henley, Anita Brooks Kirkland, and OCULA’s Delia Antonacci, Sharon Munro at the OLA’s 104th Annual General Meeting.

BELOW: Craig Kielburger moved his audiences with what turned out to be a key message of Super Conference 2005 – our responsibility for life on this planet and in particular for the children.

LEFT: Cathy Jones from This Hour Has Twenty- Two Minutes stopped OLA’s Communications and Media Designer (also photographer) Andrew Ryther dead in his tracks, much to the amusement and applause of the thousand attending the closing luncheon.

ACCESS 46 SPRING 2005 Access Photo Essay

ABOVE: Meaford Public Library CEO Rita Orr and librarian Pat Lorenzo were among 150 delegates shaking it up at the Sultan’s Tent – one of many amazing stories this year! (Thanks to Rita for the great picture!)

TOP RIGHT: The Canadian Independent Record Producers’ Association, as part of their activities for the popular Ontario Cultural Pavilion, provided Jack Grunsky and Mike Ford to entertain at the plenary sessions.

RIGHT: 2005 OLA President Cynthia Archer hosted the visiting presidents, vice-presidents and executive directors from provincial and territorial library associations from BCLA, the Northwest Territories Library Association all the way to the Atlantic Provinces and Nova Scotia Library Associations.

BELOW: The Exhibit was sold out months in advance and was a huge success with delegates and vendors.

OLA 47 SPRING 2005 Access Photo Essay

ABOVE LEFT: Co-ordinator Rose Vespa led a 22-person planning team who marshalled literally hundreds of speakers, convenors and volunteers to create Super Conference 2005.

ABOVE: A different format for the plenary with international library guru, Clifford Lynch, saw 2004 OLA President Ken Roberts in the role of interviewer and commentator.

LEFT: Rebecca Jones was one of the many experts that generously shared their ideas and experience in the 205 sessions presented this year.

BELOW: New OLA members met each other at the fi rst-timers’ reception the night before the opening.

ACCESS 48 SPRING 2005 Access Photo Essay

ABOVE: Art Rhyno, Karen Schneider and Roy Tennant were the powerhouse team for this year’s Tech Trends Forum, one of Super Conference’s recurring highlights.

RIGHT: Stephen Lewis spoke to 2200 delegates at the largest session ever held at a Super Conference, bringing the ideas that Craig Kielburger introduced full circle. A very awe inspiring occasion that will lead to a series of critical programs for the OLA.

BELOW RIGHT: Larry Moore, with OLA Treasurer Rod McLean and OLA Copyright expert Bernard Katz, listen with warmth to the remarks made in establishing the Larry Moore Award for which over $10,000 had been raised in four days.

BELOW: Over fi fty authors took part. Here White Pine Award winner Don Aker enlivens the OLA Forest of Reading plenary.

OLA 49 SPRING 2005 Eye on the Web LINKS TO THE RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET Honours and Awards In keeping with this annual awards and recognition issue of Access, Eye on the Web focuses on awards and honours bestowed on individuals for their exemplary contributions to Ontario and to Canada.

Governor General of Canada: Canadian Honours http://www.gg.ca/honours/index_e.asp

Canadian Honours Search Page http://www.gg.ca/Search/honours_e.asp

The Offi ce of the Governor General is Canada’s oldest continuing institution, dating back to 1608. In addition to representing the Queen in Canada, this offi ce holds responsibility for presenting honours and awards to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence, courage or exceptional dedication to service that brings special credit to Canada. These include: three levels of the Order of Canada, recognizing lifetime achievement (Companion, Offi cer, Member); Decorations for Bravery, including the Cross of Valour, Star of Courage, and Medal of Bravery; Meritorious Service Decorations recognizing both military personnel and civilians with a cross or medal; Caring Canadian Award, for selfl ess volunteerism; Academic Medals for scholastic achievement at the secondary, post secondary (diploma), undergraduate, and graduate levels. Detailed descriptions of these awards and honours (including information about nominations!) are linked from the Canadian Honours Web page and include options for searching past recipients by name, region/city, and type of award (where relevant). A separate search page is also provided.

Lieutenant Governor of Ontario: Awards http://www.lt.gov.on.ca/sections_english/awards/awards_ltgov_main.html

Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration: Honours and Awards Secretariat http://www.gov.on.ca/MCZCR/english/citdiv/honours/index.html

While the Queen’s representative in Ontario is responsible for presenting a number of provincial awards, it is on the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration web site that you will fi nd detailed awards information and expanded listings of past recipients. These awards and honours include: Order of Ontario, the Province’s highest award for excellence; Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship; Ontario Medals for Police and Firefi ghter Bravery; Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers; Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award; Lincoln M. Alexander Award, for the promotion of racial harmony by youth; Senior Achievement and Senior of the Year Awards; Community Action Awards; Amethyst Award, presented to outstanding civil servants. The Ministry Web page noted above includes access to a Volunteer Hall of Fame Search interface, where you can search for past recipients by name, award, and city back to 1996. By Amanda Wakaruk

ACCESS 50 SPRING 2005 Canada Council for the Arts: Prizes Calendar HONOURABLE MENTIONS http://www.canadacouncil.ca/prizes/calendar/default.htm United Nations Association in Canada: Pearson Peace Medal The Canada Council for the Arts http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/pearson/index.asp was founded with the passing of Awarded annually for achievements in international service and the Canada Council Act in 1957. understanding. The Council reports to Parliament through the Department of Heritage Canada Foundation: Awards Program Canadian Heritage, its primary http://www.heritagecanada.org/eng/services/awards.html funding agency. The role of the Administers various awards to recognize excellence in the preservation Council is “to foster and promote of Canadian heritage. the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works Canadian Conference of the Arts: National Arts Awards in, the arts.” This includes http://www.ccarts.ca/en/awards/ administering over 70 annual Awarded annually for signifi cant contributions to arts and culture in prizes, fellowships and awards Canada. to Canadian artists and scholars demonstrating excellence in the Ontario Arts Council: Awards arts and humanities as well as the social and natural http://www.arts.on.ca/English/Awards.html sciences. Major awards administered by the Council include Administers twelve awards recognizing arts contributions in Ontario. the scholastic Killam Prizes, the Canada Council Molson Prizes, and the Governor General’s Literary and Visual Media Arts Toronto Arts Council Foundation: Awards awards. The Prizes Calendar, noted above, provides an intuitive http://www.torontoartscouncil.org/foundation.htm entry point to information about all prizes and awards. It is Administers various awards to individual artists for their cultural and organized by discipline and nominations deadlines. Most, if artistic contributions in the City of Toronto. not all, secondary links to individual prizes provide information City of Toronto: Awards about nominations procedure and past recipients. http://www.toronto.ca/awards/index.htm Web based entry point to basic information about various awards administered by the City of Toronto, including the Pride and Green Toronto Awards. Royal Society of Canada (Canadian Academy of the Sciences and Humanities) http://www.rsc.ca/

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) was granted Royal Charter in 1883, following the passage of related legislation in the Canadian Parliament. Today, it is made up of approximately 1,700 Canadians selected by their peers for outstanding contributions to the humanities, natural, and social sciences. Its objective is to promote learning and research in the arts and sciences. This is accomplished, in part, through the awarding of medals and prizes recognizing contributions to knowledge, research and innovation in Canada. Starting at the main homepage, noted above, follow the “Awards” link in the navigation bar to produce a list of all awards, including information about frequency and nominations procedure. Awards vary widely by discipline, including recognition of achievement in geological sciences, critical or imaginative literature, and understanding of issues concerning gender.

Amanda Wakaruk is the Reference and Government Information Librarian for the Scott Library at York University. e-mail:

OLA 51 SPRING 2005 HealthWatch KEEPING WATCH OVER LIBRARIANS’ HEALTH ISSUES Plastic Clocks and Chicken Pox

In my part of Ontario, a regular Saturday Published in 1903, Dr. Melenday A simple search on the Chapters Web entertainment is to wander down to attempts to “inform the reader on the site using the words “Women’s health” the local auction barn and spend the natural laws governing maidenhood, returned 1,984 hits. If I had to pick two morning, coffee in hand, inspecting the wifehood, motherhood and to inform for my own reference shelf, I would start latest batch of merchandise offered for about various grievous conditions and with one of the classics and still one of sale. A snow blower, a puppy, or a genuine their remedies”. In other word the “ne the best. This is, of course, Our bodies, antique plastic clock! You will fi nd it all plus ultra” of medical information for Ourselves produced by Boston Women’s here one time or another. women circa 1903. Billed as scientifi cally Health Book Collective. Billed as “the sound and morally edifying the book defi nitive consumer health reference for I go for the books. Mostly I fi nd a bumper reads more than a little oddly now. women of all ages and ethnic groups” the crop of Readers Digest Condensed, We would likely question the use of book was fi rst published in 1976. About to 1950s era cookbooks or once popular unsalted butter as a vaginal lubricant appear in a new (the 5th) edition this year paperbacks in various states of decay. For during labour, and the use of aconite for (2005), the book is partnered with a Web a dollar or two per box, I can have a lovely treatment for chickenpox sounds scary as site at http://www.ourbodiesourselves. snoop and the chance to fi nd my own well. Well it may have been good enough com treasure. One recent fi nd gave instruction for my great grandma but, it isn’t good on how to properly dress and equip a enough for me! Frequent revisions to the Web site keep parlour maid - essential information for the information fresh. The Web site the modern librarian! In seeking out medical information offers information in both English and for women in 2005, we have resources Spanish. Depending on your point of One of the most interesting items from never imagined by great grandma. view, you may fi nd the book too social, as the last lot was a copy of the Ladies Aside from a number of well written opposed to medical, in its orientation to Home Companion - a book giving full and comprehensive books, the Internet subject matter. The Women’s Liberation information on all the mysterious and offers an abundance of high quality and background of the 1st complex matters pertaining to women easily accessible medical and health written by a Mary Melenday MD, PhD, a information for women. graduate of many of the fi nest medical schools of her day. By Elyse Pike

ACCESS 52 SPRING 2005 edition contributors always seems to is the more policy oriented section of this coverage and I found it useful for both show through even after all these years. web site and sometimes contains very family physicians as well as for women useful resources... An example would be struggling to make a decision regarding My second choice would be Dr. Susan “How is Racism Signifi cant to Women’s continued use of hormone therapy. An Love’s Breast Book (Latest edition Health in Canada?” This just screams interactive discussion group, Le Club, 2000). This book mirrors the changing “Social Science Term paper resource” allows personal input and support for landscape of breast disease, both to me! Information is available in both participants. A searchable database benign and malignant. It offers detailed French and English. includes information in all formats, information on preventative measures, books, audio visual etc. Information is new developments in screening and I also like Women’s Health Matters http:// available in English, French and, to a diagnostic techniques, implants, www.womenshealthmatters.ca/index. lesser extent in other languages which hormone use, risk factors, recommended, cfm. include Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, as well as alternative, treatment options, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese. Free clinical trials and surgery. The author Women’s health experts from Sunnybrook registration provides frequent updates of The Bible of breast-care, Dr. Love has & Women’s College Health Sciences on women’s health issues sent directly via worked as an author, teacher, surgeon, Centre (Toronto) and the Centre for e-mail. One improvement I would like researcher and breast cancer activist Research in Women’s Health developed to see is the addition of ISBN numbers since 1974. The Breast Health and this site and play an ongoing role in its to any book resource listed in their Screening clinic in my hospital considers expansion and review. The News and database. One little step to make it easier her book their best and most useful Health Bytes sections are interesting, for librarians using this resource to build resource for patients. I literally cannot well written, and frequently updated. their collection of women’s health books. keep copies on my shelf, being reluctant This site offered excellent coverage of to pester a woman newly diagnosed with the Hormone replacement therapy Number three on my list is the truly breast cancer to return a library book. controversy several years ago. The excellent group of links on Women’s issue was given clear non-hysterical health provided by Tom Flemming on his Dr. Love’s book is also partnered with a Web site http://www.susanlovemd.com/ which was awarded the OncoLink Editor’s Choice Award in 2003, an award given CANADIAN to the providers of the highest quality cancer information on the Internet. The currency of the Web site makes up for the WHO’S WHO fact that the most recent edition of this book was 2000. 2005 If you or your client wish to go directly ‘History...being made.’ Roch Carrier, former National Librarian to Internet sites, I have six personal favourites Three sites are Canadian, and For ninety-fi ve years, CWW has recorded the diversity of three from the United States: Canadian culture through informative biographies of notable living Canadians. Updated annually, CWW is an invaluable My fi rst Canadian choice would be resource for researchers, fact-checkers, and all those interested Canadian Women’s Health Network in current events in Canada. http://www.cwhn.ca/indexeng.html Book $195 CD-ROM $205 Book & CD-ROM $285 Offi cially launched in May,1993 and is one of the longest running sites on UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS CALL 1-800-565-9523 FAX 1-800-221-9985 this topic. This site has a great list of EMAIL [email protected] WEB www.utpress.utoronto.ca/cww annotated links, with extensive sections on the control of fertility, aging and the medical system and women along with the traditional disease oriented links. The CWHN partners with the Centres of Excellence for Women’s Health Program http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ english/women/cewh.htm &ORMOREINFORMATIONONOUR#ANADIAN.EWSPAPERSON-ICROFILM ORFORMOREINFORMATIONONOUR7ORLD&AMOUS"OOK4RUCKS to promote communication in areas of policy and research PLEASECALLUSAT  EXT9OUCANALSOVISITUSAT and information sharing. This WWWCOMMONWEALTHIMAGINGCOM

OLA 53 SPRING 2005 HealthWatch site Health Care Information Resources/ http://www.noah-health.org/en/healthy/ listed on their site. One feature of the site wellness section women/ I like is that type size is easily enlarged for readers with visual problems. http://www-hsl.mcmaster.ca/tomfl em/ This outstanding and long running site, womenhealth.html is a collaborative project of four New The second American site I would York state organizations including the recommend is National Women’s Health One of the joys of this extensive resource City University of New York and the New Resource Center http://www.4woman. list is the notation of the national origin York Public Library. Currently available gov/about/index.htm of the pages. I prefer to use Canadian in both Spanish and English, the site has resources when at all possible and Tom’s information on topics ranging from aging This site is designed as a national list makes them so easy to locate. French from diabetes to patient rights. While clearinghouse for women’s health language materials are covered by Sante not limited to women’s health, this topic information and gleans its resources from des femmes, a separate section but also remains as the primary focus. NOAH does federal, state and private sources. The included in the Wellness section of this not produce its own material but links information provided is comprehensive, resource. In looking at sources from to full-text information from reputable objective, and supported by an advisory the US, my fi rst choice would be NOAH and authoritative, Web-based resources. council comprised of the nation’s leading (New York Online Access To Health) The criteria for selection are prominently medical and health experts. Resources are available in Spanish and English. A scrolling news section provides daily updates. You may also subscribe to a free monthly newsletter for timely updates. Unfortunately the toll free number listed does not work in Canada. %$505",)3(%23%8#,53)6% And fi nally, when in doubt you can always rely on Medlineplus, The National Library of Medicine Consumer Health http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ healthtopics.html Simply go to the #APSTONE0RESS #ANADIAN0UBLISHERS women’s health section for a seemingly unlimited range of resources and a quick and easy way to search the medical literature through Medline. A daily news feed of issues of important to women’s health is also provided at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ womenshealthissues

This section allows you to quickly verify the half heard news stories your patrons bring to you. This site would probably be my “desert island pick” if I truly had to choose one medical site and only one to work with.

It goes without saying that the information available in these books and web pages provide vastly superior information to that available 100 years ago to my great grandma. I’m sure Dr. Melenday would be amazed!

But I intend to continue to haunt the auction barn. I just might fi nd another medical gem and maybe even another beautiful antique plastic clock!

Elyse Pike is the Health Sciences Librarian for Grey Bruce Health Services in Owen Sound

ACCESS 54 SPRING 2005 The Next Generation STUDENTS LOOK AT THE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION COMMUNITY WITH FRESH EYES WHAT’S IN AN IMAGE?

Here it is again: the dreaded image issue. It may be old ground, but it remains a problem that every new librarian Taking must come to terms with and decide how to tackle.

We all know the stereotype well: a shush-marm with her Another glasses on a chain, her hair in a bun wrapped so tight butter might roll right off. Frumpy and uptight if old, meek and sexually repressed if young — until she lets her hair down, whips off her glasses, and transforms Look into a teenaged boy’s rock-video fantasy. She may have a bookish, stodgy, vaguely ineffectual male counterpart, but generally, the profession is associated with women.

at the Of course, not many librarians actually fi t these anachronistic stereotypes, and even the ones who are fond of sensible shoes and twin sets are much more interesting and complex than conveyed by these Stereotype hackneyed images. Still, the stereotypes hang around like a bad smell and are frequently reinforced by the media. Rare is the article about librarians in mainstream media that does not use the word “shush.” Stereotypes are easy to use, and they make for an easy joke when one needs a laugh: observe Michael Moore (whose book Stupid White Men could have gone unreleased were it not for activist librarians) who, while singing praises to librarians, went for the cheap laugh on a news magazine show: “I had no idea librarians were meeting in chat rooms. It’s, like, you know, what are they talking about? ‘Shh!’ You know?” Yes, unfortunately we do.

Many people who enroll in library school are painfully aware of these stereotypes, and often have to justify their decision to their friends and family in response to jokes and uninformed questions. I attempted to battle this problem by circumventing the use of the L- word altogether. I knew that at the U of T’s Faculty of Information Studies, I would learn the skills and resources needed to become a profi cient researcher. I knew that far from being a staid profession, librarianship was dynamic, By Marjan Farahbaksh

OLA 55 SPRING 2005 diverse, and technologically informed. studies” only served to elicit confused above the stereotypes? I realized I could Yet for the fi rst few months, I defensively looks or blank stares. Furthermore, I be a living, breathing example of the underscored “information studies” came to realize that as a librarian-to-be, I inaccuracy of the stereotype. whenever asked about my program of had a duty to do my part in undermining study. This stemmed partly from the fact the stereotype rather than ignoring it or There are many examples of how that the term “librarian” did not connote shying away from it. Librarians perform librarians are showing positive and the range and depth of what I knew to one of the most importance jobs of our vibrant images of the occupation and be possible with the degree, but also society — that of gathering, organizing, using humour and debate to confront largely from fear of the negative image the and disseminating knowledge — but they stereotyping. Web sites and blogs like term would evoke. I did not see myself do not receive the respect and value this the Lipstick Librarian, the Modifi ed refl ected in that image, and so I avoided job deserves. The stereotypes serve to Librarian, and the Bellydancing Librarian using the name of the very profession I reinforce the low status of the profession help to portray librarians as young, hip was entering. and contribute to the idea that libraries and sassy and to improve our self-image. are unimportant and irrelevant. How Other librarians convey their passion This strategy, however, did not last very will this change if we don’t take it upon and excitement for the profession in long, as the vagueness of “information ourselves to dispel the myths and rise their daily approach to their jobs, in the self-confi dent way they fi ght for funding and raise the profi le of their libraries. Still others wear their tattoos and dyed hair proudly, reminding patrons and their colleagues that librarians come in all Approvals shapes and sizes and hair colours. All of Standing Orders these librarians are a great inspiration for me and others entering the fi eld. Firm Orders Shelf-Ready In his wonderful article “Wear Lipstick, Have a Tattoo, Belly-Dance, Then On-line Database Get Naked: The Making of a Virtual Librarian,” Antony Brewerton states that Full Marc Downloads “As a profession, we need to give out the message — in any medium available 6900 Kinsmen Court — that we are not the refuge of the quiet P.O. Box 1000 and scared, that we are not living in the Niagara Falls, 19th century, but that this is a confi dent, Ontario L2E 7E7 go ahead, passionate profession with its Tel: 1-800-263-1686 heart on its sleeve rather than its hair in www.couttsinfo.com Fax: 905-356-5064 a bun.” This is a challenge I will happily Email: [email protected] take on. This is my profession. I am a librarian.

Marjan Farahbaksh is completing her Master of Information Studies degree at the University of Toronto. She thinks Fluevogs are pretty sensible.

ACCESS 56 SPRING 2005 Readers’ Advisory PROMOTING ENJOYMENT AND PASSION FOR THE WORLD OF BOOKS ADDING VALUE: Do You Want Fries With That?

As competition in the marketplace has increased, private sector we are faced with the question from readers “Can you help me companies have looked for ways to anticipate the needs of their fi nd a good book?” In responding to this query, we take the customers. A number of years ago a fast food chain coined the patron through the readers’ advisory interview, challenging phrase “Will you have fries with that?” This was their way of them to articulate the elements or characteristics that make, for providing added value to the customer; offering an item before them, a good read. Reading suggestions are then made based on the customer even realized that he wanted it. Today’s library these appeal factors and while perhaps daunting, we hope we’ve user comes to us with high service expectations and rightly so. got it right. In many areas of library service, we already have found ways to provide added value – we ensure parents of small children know By beginning the RA interaction with the question coined by about our storytime programs, we offer informational adult Joyce Saricks; “Tell me about a book you’ve read and enjoyed,” programming related to our collections, and we place reserves we provide the reader with an opportunity to articulate the on books we think a reader will enjoy. But is there more that we elements of a successful reading experience. Smith suggests could or should be doing as we work with readers to enhance we also need to ask, “And how did you fi nd it?” How we come our service level? to the reading selection can reveal much about what we read; studies have shown that readers come to their reading choices At SuperConference 2005, NoveList developer Duncan Smith, in a number of ways; recommendations from friends and family, during his session titled “The Reading Life: The Future of the reviews or advertising and author recognition. By working Story in the 21st Century,” presented the idea that in addition through this discovery process with a reader, we can add “the to providing reading suggestions, we also have a responsibility library” to this list. to help the reader understand how they come to the books they read and why they look for certain appeal factors. As advisors, By Sharron Smith

OLA 57 SPRING 2005 One very simple way to add to the readers’ advisory Dirk Pitt adventure series, I just thought I read widely in a conversation is to explain to the patron the steps we are variety of genres. Instead, after listening to Duncan Smith, I taking, the resources we are consulting as we seek out reading now understand the common element all of these titles share suggestions and some of the alternatives available to them. Once and what it is about them that results in an enjoyable reading the reader understands some of the tools available to them, they experience. Take a moment to consider not only what you enjoy then have the opportunity for independent discovery of new reading, consider the common characteristics among these authors. If we make our readers’ advisory resources as accessible titles and why they appeal to you; this will help as you work with to readers as People magazine, we foster the possibility for readers and perhaps allow you to offer so reading suggestions independent discovery. outside their normal “comfort” reading zone. It can be by acting as guides through what is truly a reading jungle, that we can help Taking RA service to the next level, involves help the reader our users fi nd the hidden gems in our collections and foster an understand not only what makes a book appealing, but why understanding of how and why an enjoyable reading experience this appeal is important. To begin this alternate way of looking happens. at reading, think about what it is that you like to read. What are the common features of these works? This can begin by By encouraging readers to think about the elements of a great thinking about the titles that you have read over the years and read and guiding them towards an understanding of their own considering why they resonated with you. Initially, they may great reads, we are providing them with our version of “added not seem to share common elements but more likely they do. value” or the library equivalent of fries! As someone who loved Helen Humphreys’ Afterimage, John Bemrose’s The Island Walkers, Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace, Sharron Smith is a librarian at the Kitchener Public Library. You Amanda Quick’s and Mary Balogh’s Regencies and Clive Cussler’s can reach her at .

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