BC Library Association

On a light blue background the text says, "Hitting the Limit: Trauma and Library Workers. Hosted by Mark Reinelt, Okanaga Regional Library. Wednesday, February 11th, 2pm-3pm PST Virtually on Zoom." There are two logos for the British Columbia Library Association and Professional Development program. A headshot of Mark is included. Mark is a white, middle-aged man, with a graying, trim beard and moustache. He is smiling, wearing a dark gray business jacket and white button-up collar shirt.

Next Wed. Feb. 11th at 2pm, Mark Reinelt (Director Public Services at ORL) is offering a workshop called "Hitting the Limit: Trauma and Library Workers." Learn how to assess incident plans and create strategies to work through traumatic incidents. Register today! tinyurl.com/libraryworke...

Nominations for the 2026 BCLA Awards are now open - tell us about the amazing library workers and library projects that deserve recognition! bclaconnect.ca/blog/call-fo...

On a light blue background the text says 'Financial Statements for Library Workers: Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask. Presented by Ann Johannes. Thursday, February 5th, 11am - 12pm PST. Virtually on Zoom.' There are two logos for the British Columbia Library Association and Professional Development Program. The graphic image shows cartoon characters of two women sitting at a desk discussing a book. There are images behind them of a graphic with dollar symbols.

Are you responsible for understanding your library's financial position but don't know what everything means? Join BCLA Treasurer, Ann Johannes for "Financial Statements for Library Workers" next Thurs. Feb. 5th at 11am-12pm on Zoom. Register today: tinyurl.com/libraryfinance

Registration for #BCLA2026 is now open! bclaconnect.ca/blog/registr...

BCLA is excited to announce the new UX Interest group!
Find out more: bclaconnect.ca/blog/introdu...

On a light blue background the text says "Increasing Climate Literacy in Your Community. Wednesday, January 21st, 2pm - 3:15pm Virtually on Zoom. Presented by Joan Gillies and Kristen Andrews of RegenerateBC & Caitlin MacRae of NWPL." There are three simple logos for RegenerateBC, British Columbia Library Association and their Professional Development program. A graphic design shows a person planting a tree, bushes growing in front of an industrial building, and hands holding a globe with a heart symbol.

On Wed. January 21st at 2pm the event "Increasing Climate Literacy in Your Community" will be presented by RegenerateBC and Librarian, Caitlin MacRae. Public libraries are an ideal forum for climate collaboration, so register today to learn about climate solutions workshops. tinyurl.com/climatebcla

Thanks again! @nnelsca.bsky.social

On a light blue background the text says, 'Accessible Social Media and Newsletters. Megan Sellmer. National Network for Equitable Library Service. Thursday, January 15, 10am to 11am PDT on Zoom.' There are threes logos for NNELS, British Columbia Library Association and the Professional Development program. A graphic image shows three people seated at a table. One woman is in her wheelchair typing on a laptop, and two women are on chairs, working on a laptop and cell phone. There are happy face emojis above symbols that represent a chart, speech bubble and newsletter.

Our first event of 2026 is Accessible Social Media & Newsletters with the National Network for Equitable Library Service on January 15 at 10am. Learn why accessibility in marketing and social media matters and how to better engage all your patrons. Register today! tinyurl.com/newslettersn...

"Accessibility is about doing the work up front to identify and remove barriers for people who have specific disabilities." - Kevin Millsip, Executive Director BC Libraries Co-op.

Find a video transcript in Word & PDF format: bclaconnect.ca/accessibilit...

#accessibility @bcla.bsky.social #library

A snow lantern with a glowing candle inside against a dark blue background of trees and snow, with the message "Hoping your holidays include many small moments of beauty, light and peace. From all of us at BCLA"

Happy holidays from BCLA!

On a light blue background the text says "AI Workshop Design for Newcomers in Public Libraries. Hosted by: Shirley Chan Coquitlam Public Library. Thursday, December 11th, 10am - 11:30am PDT Virtually on Zoom.' There are two logos for the British Columbia Library Association and Professional Development Program. There is a headshot of Shirley, who is a young Asian woman with mid-length dark hair, wearing glasses, earrings and a necklace with colourful beads. She wears a coral coloured ruffled blouse and a pink cardigan. She is smiling.

Our final event for 2025 will be hosted by Shirley Chan called “AI Workshop Design for Newcomers in Public Libraries” on Thurs. December 11th. Learn how such workshops increase ethical AI use and strengthen the public library as an inclusive community hub. Register today! tinyurl.com/ainewcomers

On a light blue background, the text says "Future-Ready Youth: Preparing our patrons to navigate the Age of AI, presented by Nick Tanzi, The Digital Librarian. Wednesday, December 3rd, 10:30am - 11:15am PDT on Zoom." There are two logos for the British Columbia Library Association and Professional Development program. A headshot of Nick is included. He is a white, middle-aged man, with a trim dark beard and hair. He is wearing a white button-up dress shirt and Nick is smiling.

Nick Tanzi is our Year-End Keynote speaker, and we hope you can join us next Wed. December 3 at 10am PDT for his talk called "Future-Ready Youth: Preparing our patrons to navigate the Age of AI." Register today! bclaconnect.ca/resources/co...

The text says, "Accessibility Assessment Framework for Library Spaces. Dates: Small Library Session: Tuesday, December 2, 2025; Medium Library Session: Wednesday, December 3, 2025; Large Library Session: Thursday, December 4, 2025. Time is 1pm - 1:45pm PDT. Location is virtually on Zoom, hosted by the Public Library Accessibility Working Group." There is a photo showing four people working in an office with white brick walls. They are all seated as desks, and one woman is seated in her wheelchair. The people are having conversations, while working on their laptops.

The Public Library Accessibility Working Group is hosting three sessions (December 2 - 4), depending on the size of your library, to introduce the "Accessibility Assessment Framework for Library Spaces." Follow the link for more detail and registration. bc.libraries.coop/about/access...

On a light blue background the text says 'Becoming Anti-Ableist. Hosted by Elisabeth Walker-Young & Shawna Lawson of Inclusive Experiences. Wednesday, November 26th, 10am - 11:30am PDT on Zoom.' There is an image in a graphic style of three people in a parade. Two are walking and one person is in a wheelchair. The colour scheme is purple, blue, black, beige, and white. There are two logos for the British Columbia Library Association and Professional Development program.

We hope to see you next Wed. Nov. 26th for the Becoming Anti-Ableist workshop at 10am with Elisabeth Walker-Young and Shawna Lawson of Inclusive Experiences. This session is “grounded in lived experiences and principles of disability justice.” Register today! tinyurl.com/inclusiveexp...

On a blue background, text says 'Calling all Library Leaders! Be part of the BCLA 2026 Mentorship Program. Expression of interest deadline: Friday, November 21st.' There are two logos, for the British Columbia Library Association and Mentorship Program. There is a photo of two women in a library, holding books, having a conversation. One is older with short white hair wearing a yellow shirt and glasses, and one is younger with dyed auburn hair in a bun wearing a red blouse and gold hooped earrings.

Calling all library leaders! BCLA has extended the deadline for mentors to consider offering their expertise in the 2026 Mentorship Session until Nov. 21st. Please consider this opportunity! For more detail and the "Expression of Interest" link, visit our webpage: bclaconnect.ca/mentorship/2...

Text says, 'Braille Printing: Accessible University Library Services presented by Kelsey Chaban and Rachel Chong. Wednesday, November 19th, 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT on Zoom.' There is a photo of an office space with a large Braille printer sitting on a desk next to a computer and screen. There are two logos for the British Columbia Library Association and Provincial Professional Development program.

Next week, Wed. Nov. 19th, Accessibility Librarians Kelsey Chaban and Rachel Chong of Kwantlen Polytechnic will present "Braille Printing: Accessible University Library Services" at 12:30pm. Learn how your campus library can reduce barriers and offer equitable service. tinyurl.com/brailleprint...

On a light blue background the text says, 'Intellectual Freedom Instruction at Canadian Library Schools, presented by Dr. Toni Samek, Dr. Mahdi Ganjavi, and Dr. Cameron Pierson. Tuesday, November 18th at 10am - 11:30am PST, 1pm - 2:30pm ET on Zoom. There are two logos for the British Columbia Library Association and Professional Development Program. The three speakers have headshots included. Toni is a middle-aged white woman with mid-length dark blond hair. She wears a black top, a scarf in blue and green, and a necklace. Mahdi is a middle-aged man with a dark complexion, he has short black hair, wears glasses, and wears a blue button-up shirt, with a linght pink tie. Cameron is a young white man, with short brown hair, wearing a gray button-up shirt, and gray cardigan.

We are hosting the panel "Approaches to Intellectual Freedom Instruction at Canadian Library Schools" with Dr. Toni Samek, Dr. Mahdi Ganjavi and Dr. Cameron Pierson on Tues. Nov. 18th at 10am. Learn about their approach to teaching IF and best practises. Register today tinyurl.com/libraryschoo...

On a light blue background, the text says 'Why do human rights matter for emerging technologies like Ai? with Dr. Wendy H. Wong. Thursday November 6th, 2pm-3:30pm PDT on Zoom.' There is a photo of Wendy, an Asian woman with mid-length dark hair to her shoulders. She is smiling, standing in front of a beach shore, wearing a yellow short-sleeved blouse, pearl necklace and black pants. The cover of her book is next to her called "We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age." There are two logos for the British Columbia Library Association and Professional Development program.

Register today for "Why Do Human Rights Matter for Emerging Technologies like AI?' with Dr. Wendy H. Wong, author of "We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age." Join us on Thurs. Nov. 6th at 2pm PDT via Zoom for a talk that emphasizes the role of public libraries. tinyurl.com/DrWendyWong

Climate Action Week | Climate Action Week Climate Action Week is returning! Saturday, November 1 – Friday, November 7, 2025 Join libraries and other GLAM organizations across Canada to focus on the climate change related challenges and emerge...

Reminder that Climate Action Week begins across Canada, Nov 1 - Nov 7! Please @ us with your climate literacy activities and we can re-post your hard work for all to see. #ClimateActionWeek

For more details, please visit: bclaconnect.ca/climateactio...

The text is on a light blue background. It says 'Misinformation and Public Libraries presented by Deb Hutchison Koep, Devon Greyson, Leigh Anne Palmer. Wednesday October 29th at 2pm - 3:30pm PDT on Zoom.' There are two logos for the British Columbia Library Association and professional development program. There is a simple graphic of a woman with short hair pointing to a document with a green check mark, not a document with a red X.

Register today for "Misinformation and Public Libraries" on Wed. Oct. 29th with Deb Hutchison Koep, Devon Greyson, and Leigh Anne Palmer. The spread of false information is a formidable threat - this session will explore how public libraries can approach this growing challenge. tinyurl.com/bclaevent

On a light blue background text says 'Indigenous Data Sovereignty and AI with Kristin Kozar. Thursday October 9th, 2pm-3:30pm PDT on Zoom.' There is a headshot of Kristin who is a middle-aged Indigenous woman. Her long hair is loose on one shoulder, she is smiling, wearing beaded earrings and necklace, and a black blouse. There are two logos for the British Columbia Library Association and Professional Development program.

There's still time to register for "Indigenous Data Sovereignty and AI" with Kristin Kozar of the Hwlitsum First Nation on Thurs. October 9th at 2pm. Learn how digital archives and tools like AI can advance Indigenous data sovereignty, as well as the risks. Register today!
tinyurl.com/bclaseriesAI

We're excited to (re)introduce the BCLA Accessibly Interest Group. Share knowledge, strategies and connect on issues related to accessibility in libraries. Find out more!
bclaconnect.ca/blog/introdu...

small butterfly, flying below the words "Canadian Library Month"

Happy Library Month!🥳

Public libraries aren't just a place to borrow books — and B.C.'s are at a 'breaking point' Fumano: Without provincial funding keeping pace with local government funding, library directors say they're struggling

B.C. libraries are vital hubs for learning, connection, and opportunity. Sustained funding is key to keeping services like digital access and literacy programs strong!

Read the full @vancouversun.bsky.social article:

vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...

#libraries #community @bcla.bsky.social

On a light blue background, an image from the West Vancouver Memorial Library shows their language learning kit. The text (which this platform won't translate with correct accenting) says 'Skwxwú7mesh Sníchim Language Revitalization in the Public Library presented by Tsitsáyxemaat Rebecca Duncan and Kendra Sakamoto. Wednesday, October 1st, 10:30am - 11:30am PDT on Zoom.' The image includes three logos for West Vancouver Memorial Library, British Columbia Library Association, and their Professional Development program.

We hope that you can join us via Zoom on Wed. October 1st for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim Language Revitalization in the Public Library to learn how your library can better support local Indigenous communities... register today! tinyurl.com/registerbcla

On a light blue background text says, 'Facilitation for Community Transformation with Khari Wendell McClelland. Thursday, September 4th at 10-11am PDT on Zoom.' There are logos for BCLA and the Professional Development program. And a colourful cover design for the toolkit is included. Khari's headshot photo shows him, a young black man wearing a pageboy hat, white collar, black shirt and jacket.

Khari Wendell McClelland is a dynamic presenter, hosting our next workshop: "Facilitation for Community Transformation" on Thurs. Sept. 4th at 10am PDT on Zoom. We'll learn about values-based creative solutions and the 9 pillars of facilitation. Register today. tinyurl.com/KhariWendell

On a light blue background, the text says, 'Library Workplace Morale Renewals Colloquium with Kaetrena Davis Kendrick. Thursday, July 17, 11am-12:30pm PDT on Zoom.' There is a headshot of Kaetrena who is a Black woman wearing glasses and a black blouse. She is smiling and has her hair in a braided wrap. There are three logos. The Renewals Colloquium, the British Columbia Library Association, and the Provincial Professional Development program.

We’re pleased to announce that Kaetrena Davis Kendrick @kaetrena.bsky.social is hosting the Library Workplace Morale Renewals Colloquium on Thurs. July 17 at 11am on Zoom. This session is based on her extensive research on low morale and includes a Q&A. Register today! bclaconnect.ca/resources/co...

On a blue background the text says, 'Embracing Disability: Practical Advice for Accessible Library Programming. Wed. July 9th, 10am-11am PDT on Zoom.' There is a cartoon-style image of four people meeting in a library. There are three logos for Centre for Equitable Library Access, British Columbia Library Association and the Provincial Professional Development program.

Our next virtual presentation is "Embracing Disability: Practical Advice for Accessible Library Programming" with Jessica Desormeaux and Denise Scott of @celalibrary.bsky.social on Wed. July 9th at 10am-11am PDT. Register today!! bclaconnect.ca/resources/co...

AI and Libraries with Fiona O'Connor | BCLA

Next week, Fiona O'Connor the Senior Services Specialist in Digital Initiatives at Toronto Public Library will be presenting "AI & Libraries: Shaping the Future of Services" on Wed. June 11th at 11am - 12:15pm PDT and we hope you can attend! Register today. bclaconnect.ca/resources/co...

Creating a Change-Friendly Culture | BCLA

There's one week left to register for the workshop "Creating a Change-Friendly Library Culture" on Wed. June 4th at 10am PDT on Zoom with Anne O'Shea of Craft Strategic. Learn how to foster openness to change and confidently lead your team. Register today!
bclaconnect.ca/resources/co...