Michelle Arbuckle

When you walk into your child’s school, do you recognize the expertise you bring as someone who works in libraries — and the impact that gives you to be a champion for school libraries and public education? Listen to this week's conversation at Library Land Loves!

I always appreciate your listens!

Every book published in the United States is sent to the Library of Congress. Also, if you are under 16 you cannot use the reading room or order books.

Always appreciate this!

IT’S TIME TO LOCK IN, PEOPLE.

Small, Easy Ways To Achieve Work/Life Balance, No 'Severance' Required How far would you go to live a life free of work worries?

As someone who constantly struggles to quiet the work scaries through pop culture, I am delighted by Severance teaching us about work life balance.

Absolutely heartbreaking.

A fabulous mentorship opportunity for visible minority librarians!

Right there with you in that same bowl of soup.

So excited that TCAF Is back!!

Nugs has my heart.

The Language and Stories of Reconciliation - Freedom to Read Indigenous people and Settler Canadians have been like characters in one another’s stories, but they haven’t done the hard work of building a common story.

Sharing this article on "The Language and Stories of Reconciliation" written by Jess Housty for Freedom to Read to Week. www.freedomtoread.ca/articles/the...

Today on National Indigenous Languages Day, we recognize the importance of language in shaping our thoughts and practices. "As Indigenous languages across the country struggle to survive—the languages of our original stories—it is critical that we protect them and nurture them toward resurgence."

My thanks to author Lawrence Hill, teacher-librarian Wendy Burch Jones and Tinlids owner Maria Martella for joining me in this conversation.

New episode of Library Land Loves out now where you get podcasts!

Who decides what teens get to read—and what’s at stake when we take that choice away? For librarians, educators, and parents, this is a reminder: the freedom to read is not just a right—it’s a crucial part of how young people learn, grow, and understand the world around them.

The campaign is raising awareness, funding research, and pushing for change in the conversation around women’s health.

Let’s talk about the impact, the workplace challenges, and what needs to change. Find this episode wherever you find your podcasts!

Hot & Bothered in Library Land! Menopause affects 80% of working women, yet workplace support is still lacking. As a field, libraries can’t ignore this conversation. In this episode of Library Land Loves, I spoke with Lana Chen and Rebecca Flaman about Sinai Health Fdn’s Hot & Bothered campaign.

No More Bubble Wrap: A Freedom to Read Week Event It’s time to challenge the status quo and rethink our approach, which is why we’ll explore the importance of letting young readers explore stories that push boundaries and reflect the world in No More Bubble-Wrap: Teens, Tough Themes, & Open Discussions. This panel discussion is about giving teens the freedom to think, question, and grow, and will dive into how we can move forward. We hope you’ll join us! Moderator Michelle Arbuckle, OLA Executive Director Panelists Lawrence Hill, Canadian AWARD-WINNING Author Maria Martella, Owner, Tinlids Wendy Burch-Jones, OSLA Council President

No More Bubble Wrap! - our panel discussion about giving teens the freedom to think, question, & grow. Tune in to hear my conversation with author Lawrence Hill, bookseller Maria Martella & teacher-librarian Wendy Burch-Jones: bit.ly/3XhdcUH #FreedomToRead

Are you seeing book bans in Canada?

Last year, novelist Lawrence Hill learned The Book of Negroes had been banned from classrooms by the London District Catholic School Board because of its use of the N-word.

Ontario's advance polls open this weekend. If you work in an Ontario library, please make sure you know the details as you will surely be getting questions about where to go and when! Ahhhhh the joys of a snap election.

Election day in Ontario is in two weeks - February 27. Make sure to chat with your local candidates - ask them questions about their support for public AND school libraries. Check out my chat with Dina Stevens for lots of great tips on engaging with candidates before AND after the election.

Fascinating!!

If you are a person who buys books as holiday gifts - this episode of Library Land Loves is my gift to you specifically. Book person extraordinaire Vikki Vansickle shares her book buying lists and gives the best tips on how to gift books - hint - it's about not being so damn selfish.

Exploring the issues of today’s world through reading is a vital ingredient in helping our children become active and knowledgeable participants of our society. 

OLA has growing concerns around book challenges and a child's right to read. bit.ly/2023bookchal...

Today wraps up First Nation Public Library Week but there's still time for you to catch up on all of the incredible programming from this week. Congrats to
Nancy, Deanna and the whole crew at Ontario Library Services! resources.olservice.ca/fnplw/2023

Ged Loud. OLA Super Conference. January 24-27, 2024

You've been working on some pretty amazing projects in your library. Impacting your community, requiring collaboration, demonstrating a new approach to problems.

It's time to share those experiences with the rest of library land at OLA SC24.

Call for Proposals is open!
www.olasuperconference.ca

We start every staff meeting with a discussion prompt that has absolutely nothing to do with our work, and everything to do with getting to know each other better. Last week's prompt was "If you were a performer what three things would you want in your green room?" Whaddya got?