This is a Pre-Conference meetup and is taking place offsite at the North York Central Library (5120 Yonge Street, approximately 40 minutes by transit or 40-60 minutes by car from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre). Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Attendees will be responsible for their transportation to and from this offsite pre-conference meetup. Pizza lunch and refreshments provided by CVS, Library Bound and White Hots.

Join us for a full-day Pre-Conference session focused on all aspects of Collections in public libraries. Connect with peers to share insights on topics such as AI, Intellectual Freedom, Collections Policies, digital resources, Library of Things, shelving renovations, and budgeting. Learn how others are persisting to addressing challenges in these key areas. Pizza Lunch and refreshments provided by CVS, Library Bound and White Hots.

This is a Pre-Conference workshop and has an additional fee of $50 per participant to cover the cost of workshop materials and light refreshments. Space is capped at 18 spots and pre-registration is required. This pre-conference workshop will be taking place offsite at the University of Toronto, St. George campus (15-20 minutes by transit, 10-15 by car). Attendees will be responsible for their transportation to and from this offsite pre-conference workshop.

Resource Description and Access (RDA) is an international cataloguing standard used by academic, research, and public libraries to describe collection resources. RDA is accessed through the online utility, RDA Toolkit. With Original RDA set to retire in May 2027, this workshop guides cataloguers through the cataloguing process using Official RDA. This workshop is for current practitioners who are curious about Official RDA and willing to examine their assumptions about bibliographic description. Persistence is key to adapting to Official RDA. Attendees will need to bring a laptop to participate in hands-on activities. The trainers are members of the RDA Training in Canada Working Group, RDA Steering Committee, and Program for Cooperative Cataloging. 

This session is a pre-conference and requires pre-registration.

Human-centred design is an approach to innovation that blends strategic thinking with practical tools for change. In this interactive two-hour workshop, participants will learn core business design methods from contextual research and problem framing to prototyping and implementation and explore how these can be applied to libraries and the challenges faced by information workers. Through real-world examples and hands-on exercises, attendees will discover how to tackle complex challenges, foster creativity, and drive meaningful transformation within their institutions.

This session is a pre-conference workshop and requires pre-registration.

In this interactive workshop, participants will explore The Most Magnificent Idea by Ashley Spires through Story Drama, an immersive approach to storytelling. Instead of simply listening, participants engage in the story as it unfolds. The book will be read in short segments, with pauses for drama, movement, writing, and music activities that bring characters, settings, and themes to life. Using techniques such as tableau, role play, improvisation, writing in role, and poetry, participants will actively investigate character choices, collaborate in small and large groups, and build imaginative environments. The session provides step-by-step guidance on how to integrate Story Drama into regular storytelling for learners of all ages. Attendees will also receive a practical resource package, including 15+ Story Drama exercises, a sample unit plan with Ontario Curriculum links, and assessment templates. This workshop equips educators with creative tools to make picture book storytelling dynamic, participatory, and deeply meaningful.

Please note that this tour requires pre-registration as space is limited.

Always wanted to see what happens at the Toronto International Film Festival library? Well, now is the time! TIFF is offering several opportunities for attendees of the OLA Super Conference to tour the TIFF Library. Please note that the TIFF Library is approximately 10 minutes' walk away from the conference centre.

For those unable to attend an official OLA Super Conference tour, you may still visit the TIFF Library during your time in Toronto. Library hours are from 10am-5pm Monday to Friday. 

This is a pre-conference tour and requires pre-registration. The Toronto Reference Library is located at 789 Yonge Street, near the corner of Bay and Bloor, and is approximately 20 minutes away by transit or 10 minutes away by car. Tour attendees are responsible for their own transportation to and from the tour.

The Toronto Reference Library is the largest and most visited branch of the Toronto Public Library. It hosts the TPL Book Sanctuary, the Marilyn & Charles Baille Special Collections Centre, a Preservation & Digitization Lab, the TD Gallery, and much more. 

This session is a pre-conference workshop and requires pre-registration.

This training explains what Naloxone is, when & how to use Naloxone. 

Session topics include: 

• what an opioid overdose is and how to recognize one
• how Naloxone works
• how to administer Naloxone in both injectable and nasal spray formulas
• aftercare once an overdose is successfully reversed. 

By the end of this training you will: 

• know how to recognize and opioid overdose and when to administer Naloxone
• how to use Naloxone to temporarily reverse an opioid overdose
• where to obtain additional help when needed
• where to obtain a Naloxone kit

This is a pre-conference workshop that requires pre-registration.

This year, OLA is excited to launch Library Manager Training Day at Super Conference—designed specifically for managers who want to grow their skills, refresh their confidence, and connect with others facing the same challenges.

Our theme, Finding Meaning in Management, offers practical, real-world learning led by experienced library managers and trainers. You’ll dive into the skills that matter most: defining your leadership values, building trust, navigating tough staff conversations, and becoming the kind of leader your team needs.

Whether you’re new to management or looking for a skill refresh, you’ll walk away with new tools, renewed confidence, and a community of colleagues you can lean on long after conference week is over.

Please note: This workshop is not included in the Full Conference registration and requires a separate purchase through the registration site. The cost is $345 for non-Super Conference attendees and $275 for Super Conference attendees. We encourage you to secure your spot early, as space may be limited. This event is limited to OLA members - update your membership today to ensure you can register. This event includes catered lunch. 

This session is a pre-conference and requires pre-registration.

Misunderstandings and stereotypes about what comics and graphic novels (GNs) are and can be remain prevalent and abundant. This workshop will create an opportunity for librarians working in different information settings (schools, public libraries, universities, etc.) to draft an output (a text or an intervention) that addresses these common stereotypes. As the time, work, and skills of convincing an audience (a manager, a parent, a teacher, a coworker, etc.) about the relevance and merits of comics is one that needs to be practiced, we will highlight the importance of preparing an informative and supportive message that advocates for the active inclusion of comics and GNs and demonstrates the value of developing networks of support for this type of message building and advocacy work.

This is a pre-conference tour. Space is limited and registration is required. 

The Penguin Random House head office is just a block away from the Convention Centre and they are inviting library guests to tour their 12th and 14th floor. There will also be time for a brief publishing Q&A. 

*This is a walking tour - please dress appropriately. 

This session is a pre-conference workshop and requires pre-registration.

PAVE Prevention recognizes that libraries are experiencing rising public aggression toward staff, as documented in the 2022 Urban Library Trauma Study. To meet these challenges, PAVE delivers training designed to strengthen staff safety and resilience. Our sessions equip participants with practical skills in situational awareness, trauma-informed de-escalation (verbal and non-verbal), boundary setting, conflict resolution, bystander intervention, grounding techniques, and self-care practices. We emphasize intercultural communication, cultural humility, and the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA). Using adrenalized, real-life scenario learning—proven highly effective for adult learners—participants practice applying strategies under pressure in safe, guided settings. PAVE has trained library staff across North America in proactive safety and community care. For the OLA Super Conference, we will deliver a 3-4 hour workshop equipping attendees with actionable tools to navigate complex workplace dynamics, strengthen staff wellbeing, and build safer, more inclusive library environments.

This session is a pre-conference workshop and requires pre-registration.

Are children wandering off when you’re telling a story, or worse, falling asleep? Are adults scrolling through their phones or checking their watches? Do you get to the punchline of a hilarious book and hear nothing but crickets? Unfortunately, this workshop cannot get rid of the cricket infestation in your library, but it can help create an engaging and interactive storytime experience to drown out their chirping. The goal of this workshop is to unlock your creativity, unleash your inner thespian, and bring a story to life. You’ll learn how to choose the right book, use your body to help tell a story, develop the silliest of voices, and create meaningful audience participation. With humour and humility, we shall persist through storytelling blunders and flops!

This session is a pre-conference workshop and requires pre-registration.

The world of Wikimedia is openly licensed, interconnected, and centred around 14 different projects. The most well known of these projects is Wikipedia. In an ever-changing technological landscape, it is important for library workers to understand the role that the Wikimedia projects play in shaping how and what information is delivered to users. For example, large language models rely heavily on Wikipedia for training and information sourcing, elevating the need for Wikipedia to have reliable, well-sourced content. This hands-on workshop will walk participants through the basics of Wikipedia, as well as Wikimedia Commons, an openly licensed media repository, and Wikidata, a free and open knowledge base. Through various contribution exercises, participants will gain an understanding of how editing on one project affects the information available on another. Participants will also learn about how contributing to these Wikimedia projects can have wide-reaching effects on the broader digital landscape.

This session is a pre-conference workshop and requires pre-registration.

We seem to find ourselves increasingly seeking creative practices that give us respite from screens.This workshop aims to do just that, offering participants the experience of learning through making. The simple act of folding and assembling layers of paper, a resilient material, is a meditative one, helping to develop a creative practice while teaching patience and persistence. Participants will make a commonplace notebook and a structural book (all materials and tools provided). Commonplace books are collaged DIY notebooks, put together quickly with paper and glue, designed to be a customized place for brainstorming, note-taking and observations. Structural books are interactive and adaptable for a variety of purposes including creating a personal archive, a tool for teaching or an abstract piece of art. Using our hands and minds in different ways allows us to intertwine materiality and content and build bridges with others as we work.

This is a pre-conference workshop and requires pre-registration.

Join IFLA’s North American Regional Division and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations for an exploration of library values – especially intellectual freedom and the right to read - in the context of challenging political and financial pressures in North America.

In a period of intense political polarization, distrust of institutions and the erosion of information integrity, libraries are under unprecedented pressure to defend free expression and information access. This session will highlight a range of perspectives on how trends in censorship, information integrity and access are impacting our sector, as well as an interactive exploration of library advocacy for intellectual freedom. Following a panel discussion featuring voices from North American library associations and IFLA, we will explore collaboratively how library institutions are best situated to persist in defending their core values.

Please note that this tour requires pre-registration as space is limited.

Always wanted to see what happens at the Toronto International Film Festival library? Well, now is the time! TIFF is offering several opportunities for attendees of the OLA Super Conference to tour the TIFF Library. Please note that the TIFF Library is approximately 10 minutes' walk away from the conference centre.

For those unable to attend an official OLA Super Conference tour, you may still visit the TIFF Library during your time in Toronto. Library hours are from 10am-5pm Monday to Friday. 

This is a pre-conference workshop and space is limited. Please pre-register through this link to save your seat. 

New to the library and information sector? Or are you in a technician, IT, HR, or policy role and finding your way through the library sector? Connect with sector leaders and others at the Sparking Forum, generously funded by the Maggie Weaver Legacy Fund. Gain leadership insights from the Fire-side Chat with Beth Rudden, CEO and Chairwoman of Bast AI, a tech leader pioneering ethical, human-centred AI.

In times when both Canadian identity and the right to read face challenges, turning to the wisdom and words of Canadian authors has never been more crucial. Join Leslie Weir, Librarian and Archivist of Canada, Mattea Roach, host of CBC's Bookends, and Antonio Michael Downing, host of CBC's The Next Chapter, for an expansive conversation on the significance and vibrancy of the books, authors, and stories that unite us during turbulent times.

Note: The OLA AGM will take place in the first 15 minutes of this session.

Convention centre carpets and heavy publisher catalogues will do a number on your body! Join us for yoga and ease into your day with some gentle stretches. Librarian and yoga instructor Justine Cotton will guide you through gentle poses and mindful breathwork to boost your energy and mood for the day ahead.  Everyone is welcome (no yoga experience required) and mats will be provided - simply wear comfortable clothes and bring some water to drink. No registration required. 

Please note: this session is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Health Library Shop Talks: Value(s), Evidence, and Access.

Access to scholarly literature should not be limited by paywalls, yet many valuable research publications remain locked behind them. Librarians play a crucial role in connecting users to free, legal versions of scholarly works through open access (OA) discovery tools. This session introduces participants to four powerful, easy-to-use resources: Unpaywall, CORE Discovery, Open Access (OA) Button (Browser Extensions), and Ulrichsweb (open access filter). Through live demonstrations and real-world search scenarios, attendees will learn how these browser extensions, plugins, and databases streamline the process of locating legal OA research articles. Whether embedded in library instruction, used for reference services, or integrated into faculty research support, these tools empower librarians to provide equitable access to scholarly resources. Participants will leave equipped with strategies to promote these resources to patrons, faculty, and researchers, maximizing their reach and impact.

Discover how the innovative Community Scholar's Program is bridging the gap between academic resources and the nonprofit sector. This session will explore how participating Ontario institutions are supporting staff working at nonprofit organizations by providing access to scholarly materials and wrap-around librarian support. Learn about the benefits for both institutions and community organizations in participating in this unique community-based program. This panel will feature academic library representatives from Ontario’s Community Scholar Program, sharing perspectives from their first two years of participation. Panelists will discuss the value of fostering a Community Scholars Community of Practice – both within Ontario and beyond – and highlight the impact of collaboration, access, and shared learning across institutions.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the OLITA Tech Talks.

Stories of Hope provides an opportunity for intergenerational library programming and for interested community members to develop their digital literacy skills. Those living with dementia and their caregivers have a chance to record their personal stories and to take part in a community event. Dementia impacts over 500,000 Canadians with numbers increasing annually and include our friends, family and neighbours. This initiative enables those living with dementia and their caregivers to help those developing digital literacy and interviewing skills by sharing their story. The project creates social cohesion and breaks down the barriers of isolation by connecting members of the community through challenging life changes. Library staff and those participating in the digital literacy skills training program have received training on conducting interviews, using video equipment and working with those living with dementia.

Please note: this session is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Health Library Shop Talks: Value(s), Evidence, and Access.

In this session, collections librarians from two quite different academic libraries—one large with primarily in-person courses, the other small with primarily online distance courses—discuss how they navigated eBook transformations at their institutions. Evidence-Based Acquisitions (EBA) plans feature at the core of both transitions. Royal Roads University (RRU) relied largely on ProQuest eBooks, so ProQuest’s recent announcement exiting title-by-title purchasing meant a need to pivot to new strategies, such as EBAs. The University of Victoria (UVic) had moved to EBAs during the COVID-19 pandemic, but recently navigated cancellation of a plan amidst budget pressures. Attendees will learn how both librarians handled these transitions, and how both institutions manage the EBA plans effectively with different staffing complements.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the OLITA Tech Talks.

How do we help young students learn to research historical information about their own communities and heritage without using AI? In this Shop Talk, we will share curriculum guides developed in our intern program that take the form of digital scavenger hunts. These are designed to help teach searching skills, critical thinking, and engage students in research activities that are fun

Please note: this session is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Health Library Shop Talks: Value(s), Evidence, and Access.
After years of tweaking our ILL software, we took a step back to return to basics. Instead of letting ourselves be led by the product, we chose to prioritize the service. Why do we do resource sharing? Our systems had made it very easy to share resources with other academic libraries, but our relationships with Canadian public and government library partners had suffered. We mapped our resource sharing process from request to return and redefined our policies, grounding ourselves in our values and the why of what we do at each step. In this session we will talk about how we approached process mapping, and how a common understanding of why we do this work has helped us redefine our service.

Librarians have long had to deal with difficult people simply because we work with the public, and now with deepening political divides, expanding income inequality and growing loneliness epidemic the need for programs to connect people has never been more urgent, and the obstacles to maintaining those programs have never been more difficult to overcome. This is an opportunity for librarians and library staff to share their experiences in dealing with difficult patrons who attend public programs and offer each other solutions to de-escalate, resolve and end the issue.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the OLITA Tech Talks.

Library staff persist daily in responding to the challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies. This Shop Talk showcases the University of Guelph’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Library Workshop in a Box [https://hdl.handle.net/10214/29081], developed from a day-long conference-style event designed to engage staff across diverse roles in exploring AI’s place in academic libraries. Attendees will learn how to adapt structured activities, facilitator guides, handouts, and reflection tools for their own contexts. The session shares lessons learned from our experience, offering best practices, highlighting pitfalls to avoid, and including practical suggestions for tailoring to their own institutions. Participants will leave prepared to support library staff in going beyond persistence towards fostering curiosity and creativity in the shifting AI landscape.

This fast-paced session of lightning talks will have you fully up to date on the trends and innovations that technology is bringing to our libraries.

This session includes the following Shop Talks: 

• Beyond Paywalls: Practical Tools for Locating Open Access Journal Content
• Evidence-Based eBooks in Transition: Responding to Changes in eBook Collections at Large & Small Academic Libraries
• Starting With Our Values, Not Our Software: Process-Mapping Our Resource Sharing (ILL) Service

This session includes the following Shop Talks: 

• Stories of Hope: Digital Literacy Skills Training and Dementia Inclusive Library Programming
• You’re Smarter Than AI: Teaching Kids to Think for Themselves
• Persistence in a Box: Engaging with Library Staff Around AI

Do we enjoy our career, or do we just want to retire? Many people retire early or at the age of 65; some people continue to work. We are graduates of the Library Technician programs and have had fulfilling careers. Doug and Liz will outline why they chose to retire and the plan they had in place and the things they do now. So busy now they will have to retire from retirement! Janna Munkittrick-Colton is still working and has just turned 69. She loves her job and is doing what she always wanted to do at the end of her career. What is she doing now? Why did they retire? Why is she still working? They have all decided to make their own trail and persist in their own way. There will be a moderator with questions and will enjoy a question and answer period from attendees.

Marketing, outreach, and engagement may not be the first things that come to mind when we think of special and research libraries that serve a private client base, but these libraries face the same challenges as others in spreading the word about their services. In this session, staff from the Library Services department at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories will share some of the things we’ve done to spread awareness of our services, advocate for ourselves, and foster engagement with our patrons. We’ll talk about the sometimes-unexpected internal and external partnerships we’re developing, the activities we’ve run over the past couple of years, and the ways we’ve communicated all of it to the colleagues we serve. Our goal is for attendees to leave with ideas they can customize for their own special and research libraries. We welcome sharing and discussion about your own experiences during the final part of this session!

Shared print initiatives are advancing rapidly across Canada, balancing the preservation of scholarly resources with the practical pressures of space, cost, and access. This panel will feature representatives from North/Nord and Keep@Downsview who will reflect on their complementary approaches, collaborative strategies, and lessons learned. Panelists will examine both the opportunities and complexities of shared print in the Canadian context, with attention to governance models, collection development practices, and long-term sustainability. The discussion will highlight areas of alignment as well as distinctive perspectives, providing participants with a nuanced view of how regional and national efforts can work together to strengthen collective stewardship of library collections.

Please note that this session will be limited to the first 30 participants in the conference room, after which doors will be closed. If you are hoping to attend this session, please fill out this form. 

How do our stories come to life? Join our interactive workshop where you create your own zine, present, & catalogue it. You can also read zines from our Traveling Zine Library (which will be adventuring around the conference room), where you can shelve your newly-created zine (or take it home). As zines are part of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) culture and subcultures, anyone can create & catalogue one. Bring your art, poetry, recipes, instructions, stories… an open mind. Although zines were historically ephemeral (widely shared before disappearing into oblivion), collections of zines can become valuable sources of information for future researchers, writers, & historians. Well-documented and catalogued collections can preserve the ideas & values of subcultures — lasting longer than any rebellious youth. Any individual, community, or library can form their own zine club & collection. Hands-on workshop (with a Traveling Zine Library)

This one-hour workshop for school librarians is a call to action: We Persist in creating truly equitable spaces. Learn practical, UDL-based strategies to support Multilingual Learners (MLL)/ESL students and transform your library into an identity-affirming multilingual space where all students can achieve success.

We'll focus on how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles ensure accessibility, helping us persist against systemic barriers. Discover how to create welcoming "learning invitations" using engaging elements like loose parts to support meaningful expression for students at all language levels.

The session emphasizes the vital importance of capacity building and deep collaboration among the teacher-librarian, ESL/MLL coaches, and classroom teachers. You'll gain strategies for creating materials and designing programs that affirm student identities, using their cultural and linguistic assets as a foundation for enduring learning and belonging.

Join us to make your library an essential, equitable, and effective space for newcomer success. 

This Spotlight has been planned and championed by the OLA Technology Sector's OLITA Council.

Ron Deibert will speak about his new best selling book, Chasing Shadows, which details the unseemly marketplace for high-tech surveillance, professional disinformation, and computerized malfeasance, and how his team at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab have lifted the lid on dozens of covert operations targeting innocent citizens.. Chasing Shadows provides a front-row seat to a dark underworld of digital espionage, dark PR, and subversion. There, autocrats and dictators peer into their targets’ lives with the mere press of a button, spreading their tentacles of authoritarianism through a digital ecosystem that is insecure, poorly regulated, and prone to abuse. The activists, opposition figures, and journalists who dare to advocate for basic political rights and freedoms are hounded, arrested, tortured, and sometimes murdered.

Ce programme a été planifié et soutenu par le Conseil ABO-Franco.

10 auteur·trice·s francophones de livres jeunesse présentent leur travail. Venez les écouter et les rencontrer!

It’s an exciting time at LAC! Join Leslie Weir, Librarian and Archivist of Canada, and her colleagues to learn more about exciting initiatives such as the landmark Ādisōke facility that will open next year in the heart of Ottawa, our innovative work with artificial intelligence, and everything else we’re doing to improve access to our collections.

Mychal Threets is a librarian, mental health advocate, and the library’s number one fan (according to himself, admittedly). He is a recipient of the 2024 “I Love My Librarian” award from the American Library Association, one of School Library Journal’s 2024 Movers and Shakers, one of TIME Magazine’s 2024 Next Generation Leaders, a 2025 TIME100 creator, and a 2025 The Webby Awards winner for social impact, and he is at OLA to celebrate the launch of his first picture book: I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy. Mychal will be interviewed by author, founder of the Festival of Literary Diversity, and CanLit treasure Jael Richardson. 

This poster session will describe my process for performing a major update to the graphic medicine collection at the W.K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library. Graphic medicine generally refers to comics or graphic novels that focus on topics surrounding health, illness, healthcare, or medicine. This poster will discuss the value that graphic medicine brings to the education of health professionals through its focus on art, storytelling, and patient perspectives. It will look at the steps I took when updating Dalhousie University’s graphic medicine collection, key considerations that I kept in mind (such as diversity of perspectives and balance of topic coverage), and the lessons I learned throughout this process. It will also address how I intend to carry these lessons forward in my career, during my current role at the University of Toronto and beyond, and discuss what other early-career librarians might take away from this process.

Libraries and community-based organizations (CBOs) benefit from having community advocates who can help them thrive and persist, especially when shrinking budgets and limited civic-mindedness can increase their vulnerability. This poster describes a community service-learning collaboration at xxx Library (Program Title) that fosters engaged citizenship, service, diversity, and equity. By helping soon-to-be graduates (those in the ‘transitioning out’ stage articulated by Lizzio, 2011) understand the importance of civic-mindedness and community service through experiential learning, Program Title can inspire students to become the future advocates that libraries and CBOs need. In the program, participants help elementary school children learn, while also exploring the importance of literacy, libraries, and community organizations. An outline of this collaboration and its goals, along with feedback from participants, will be shared to present viewers with a model to consider for their libraries. Learn how our team is looking toward the future while also positively impacting students!

Back by popular demand, Lyndsey and Mandy will be hosting a crafty get-together! They’ll guide you through making either a mini fabric book or an embroidered bookmark — or feel free to bring along your own project. Come to learn a new skill, enjoy some quiet time, or connect with other crafty library folks. No experience or supplies needed, drop in any time between 12-2PM. All are welcome!

It has been 10 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released it’s 94 Calls To Action, detailing the ongoing harm Indigenous communities are facing and ways to act. Since then, many important organizations and groups have supported this report with additional suggestions and nuances. Libraries, museums, archives and galleries, all of these spaces have received calls to action. As an incoming librarian, I’ve been curious about how spaces of information dictate our relationship to memory, truth and reconciliation. This is, therefore, a presentation on my research and finding: an analysis of various libraries and museums and how these spaces stand with reconciliation since the Calls To Actions were published. I am presenting a framework for how we might improve our understandings of reconciliation in our workplaces to further this mission. It is a call to librarians to further their own relationship with reconciliation.

As a Community-Led institution, Edmonton Public Library is committed to uplifting diverse voices and creating inclusive spaces for underrepresented communities. In June 2025, EPL partnered with leaders in Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQ+ community to host the Queer Stories Film Festival during Pride Month. This multi-event program highlighted the vibrant stories, voices, and histories of the Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ community, with a special focus on Edmonton’s local experience. The festival featured three Canadian films, one of which was followed by a panel discussion with community leaders, advocates, and policymakers reflecting on Edmonton’s history of advancing queer rights and its depiction on film. Complemented by a photography exhibit curated with the City of Edmonton Archives, the festival created space for dialogue, learning, and connection. This session will share EPL’s approach, outcomes, and lessons learned, offering strategies for creating meaningful and impactful programming that celebrates 2SLGBTQ+ voices.

Discover how libraries can create inclusive sensory spaces—without a big budget. Drawing on real-world experience from sensoryplay.ca, this poster showcases practical, low-cost design strategies and programming ideas that welcome neurodiverse children, teens, and adults. Learn how small investments in lighting, textures, and interactive elements can transform a corner of your library into a calming, engaging environment. Attendees will leave with actionable tips, resource lists, and inspiration to replicate or adapt these approaches in their own communities.

Please note that this tour requires pre-registration as space is limited.

Always wanted to see what happens at the Toronto International Film Festival library? Well, now is the time! TIFF is offering several opportunities for attendees of the OLA Super Conference to tour the TIFF Library. Please note that the TIFF Library is approximately 10 minutes' walk away from the conference centre.

For those unable to attend an official OLA Super Conference tour, you may still visit the TIFF Library during your time in Toronto. Library hours are from 10am-5pm Monday to Friday. 

Elementary Core French and French Immersion FSLdisrupt teachers will share recommendations for new books to use in class. The books, centering narratives of Joy, are vetted based on teachers’ professional judgment and critical literacy book selection criteria. This is an interactive session for anyone interested in finding antiracist and equity-oriented FSL course material. This session will be bilingual (English and French).

In a world that is ever changing, the Canadian School Library realizes the need for practical resources that match the shifting digital landscape. CSL is proud to release their free Digital and Media Literacy Toolkit. Last year’s OLA Super Conference offered the chance for school library professionals to provide feedback on the draft version of this resource, and now the final version has been released. Get an overview of this useful kit. Combat disinformation. Resist trolls and phishers. Persist in educating yourselves, your students, and your communities with accessible activities that are cross-curricular and can be integrated into your own context. Contribute to the ways we can see these lessons in action. Be inspired by two of the contributors to the Toolkit to apply some of these ideas in your own school or public library.

The goal is to foster better understanding among career pathways and barriers and opportunities in the broad areas of libraries, archives, museums, and other information industries and organizations. The key topics to be discussed among a peer group of senior leaders drawn from iSchools in Canada and information organizations are the following: 1) Workforce and career pathways, 2) Role of LIS schools in equity and inclusion , 3) Research and scholarship trends (or gaps), and 4) How you see the issues playing out in the US affecting Canadian education. We plan to invite 4-5 leaders from major cities in Canada as participants and invite a senior administrator from a major memory institution in Canada as a moderator. We will strongly encourage audience participation in the conversation and provide sufficient time for Q&A.

In 2026, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) will open Ādisōke, a shared facility in the National Capital Region. As construction nears completion, Ādisōke’s architects and future occupants are reflecting on how a broadened vision of access has guided the project—and how design will, in turn, reshape access itself. Sydney Browne of Diamond Schmitt Architects will join Lisa Tremblay-Goodyer of LAC and Sarah McIntyre of OPL to discuss how the goal of connecting more people with services and collections shaped decisions throughout planning, construction, and layout. From national-scale projects to small but meaningful changes in a single room, this session will consider how access can drive design decisions and how design can open new pathways to access—creating more inclusive, engaging, and adaptable library experiences for all communities. Themes: access, inclusive design, library innovation, services transformation, collaborative planning

This Spotlight has been planned and championed by the OLA Indigenous Stream Planners.

Christa Big Canoe is an Anishinabek woman, mother and lawyer.  She is from Georgina Island First Nation. She has been a D/Clerk of the court and an administrative Justice of the Peace in and for the Northwest Territories. Christa was policy counsel and lead for Legal Aid Ontario’s Aboriginal Justice Strategy prior to becoming Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS) Legal Director in 2011.  She took a 2.5-year leave of absence to be senior and then Lead Commission Counsel to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Christa has been before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. She represents families at Inquest proceedings, including six of the Seven Fallen Feather families. She has also been before various tribunals and standing committees providing Indigenous perspective and representation.

She was named a change maker in Canadian Lawyer’s top 25 Most Influential in the justice system in 2017. In 2021, Christa was the first recipient of Alnoba’s Moment of Truth Award and she was one of the Spirit of Barbra Schlifer Award recipients. Dalhousie's Faculty of Management presented her with the 2022 Scotiabank Ethical Leadership Award. In 2025, she was a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal Christa passionately advocates for Indigenous women and children in multiple forums and legal processes.

This Spotlight has been planned and championed by the OLA Health Sector's OHLIA Council.

Amie Archibald-Varley is a #1 National Best Selling Author of the Book, “The Wisdom of Nurses”, a highly sought-after Mental Health and Health Equity Speaker with the National Speakers Bureau, an award-winning thought leader, podcaster and an emerging digital storyteller and filmmaker.  Amie is the CEO of Advancing Health Equity, Together, a company which provides leadership, advisory and strategic consultation related to anti-racism, and health equity in culture, policies and practices of large health systems and governments, with a specific focus on promoting respect for equity-deserving groups.  Amie is the host of the successful podcast “The Gritty Nurse ” a podcast that discusses hot topics in health and healthcare at the intersection of policy and politics. Gritty Nurse hit #2 in Apple Podcasts in Medicine for Canada. Amie also  hosts the new show Atypical, a podcast focused on navigating life’s uncertainties.  She inspires others to speak their truths and brings communities together to engage in “courageous conversations.”

Amie is a Freelance Journalist, Medical Contributor and Columnist who has been featured on numerous television, radio and news outlets nationally and internationally. She has done freelance work with the Canadian Broadcaster Corporation (CBC) and regularly contributed to conversations on a wide variety of topics such as; Healthcare, politics (local, national and international), climate change, health equity, racism and antiracism, mental health issues, popular culture, etc.  Amie has also written for ByBlacks, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine & Toronto Star. Currently, she is a collaborator with Hospital News, providing op-eds on health and healthcare. 

This Spotlight has been planned and championed by the OLA Public Library Sector's OPLA Council.

We curate more than information—we curate experiences, relationships, even memories and hopes. Interfluence is the way meaning is shaped—moment by moment—between people in conversation. It is not an abstract theory; it is the often-invisible work that happens in every greeting, every listening moment, and every response to a difficult request. In those moments, we are not just exchanging words—we are curating stories about what matters, what is possible, and how we see each other.

In this session, Dr. Haesun Moon—communication scientist and author of Coaching A to Z—shares insights from decades of research and practice on using conversation as a deliberate act of care. She offers practical ways to notice the stories being told and heard, and to make subtle, useful shifts in tone, direction, and word choice that amplify purpose, possibilities, and progress. Participants will leave with evidence-based tools to curate conversations that make their care both visible and audible. 

David A. Robertson, editorial director of Swift Water Books and Stephanie Sinclair, Publisher of McClelland & Stewart, discuss how publishing can reveal truths and lead writers and readers closer to the long-term goal of true reconciliation. Throughout their conversation, the two Indigenous editors will talk about complex histories, the persistence of Indigenous storytelling, and the joys and challenges of trying to represent the diverse Indigenous cultures across Turtle Island — examining steadiness, wisdom and love in two new anthologies, A STEADY BRIGHTNESS OF BEING and YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS WORLD, as well as in larger publishing work and community. 

Susan Knabe, Acting Dean, Faculty of Information & Media Studies invites you and a guest to the Faculty of Information & Media Studies Alumni Reception. Connect with your peers and chat with FIMS staff and faculty over complimentary food & beverages while sharing memories and discovering what's new at Western.

Whether you graduated pre-FIMS (SLIS, GSLIS, BA Journalism, Graduate School of Journalism) or post 1997 (MIT, MTP, MPI, Media Studies, LIS, PMC HIS, MAJ, MMJC), we’d love to catch up with you! 

Secure your spot by registering before Monday, January 26, 2026. 

Please contact Western Alumni if you require information in an alternate format or have other accessibility needs.

Location: Art Gallery of Ontario (Bistro), 317 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON

Join us as we celebrate library award winners, including the Public Library Ministry Awards, OLA Awards, and public libraries receiving accreditations.

This is a ticketed event.

This event requires pre-registration due to limited space.

Because News is Canada's funniest news quiz. Host and award-winning comedian Gavin Crawford makes games out of the headlines, along with a panel of comedians and celebrities. OLA has secured a limited number of seats at a live Because News taping taking place at the CBC, right across the street from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC). The taping will take place between 6:30-8:30PM. Confirmed attendees will receive details in their email inboxes in January. 

Let’s Celebrate 125 Years of OLA! Join us for our beloved Thursday Night Social, where the vibes are festive and the fun is guaranteed!

This year’s lineup has something for everyone:

• Drag Musical Bingo
• Crafting Corner
• Dungeons & Dragons
• Board Games
• Chill Chats Over Drinks & Food

Whether you're here to play, create, or connect, we’ve got the perfect mix of activities to make your night memorable. Come celebrate with friends and colleagues—because 125 years deserves a party!

Convention centre carpets and heavy publisher catalogues will do a number on your body! Join us for yoga and ease into your day with some gentle stretches. Librarian and yoga instructor Justine Cotton will guide you through gentle poses and mindful breathwork to boost your energy and mood for the day ahead.  Everyone is welcome (no yoga experience required) and mats will be provided - simply wear comfortable clothes and bring some water to drink. No registration required. 

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Health Library Shop Talks: Instruction, Support, and Advocacy.

With clinical nursing involvement in evidence synthesis research, there has been a growing interest in preparing students for research and publication in the nursing field. This poster session summarizes the first year of a three year framework for librarian integration in an undergraduate honors nursing program at Brock University. Highlights include asynchronous content for introductory research skills, supplemented by in-person library instruction for first-year students, and locating reader-friendly articles for critical appraisal assignments in post-clinical sessions. Multiple modes of assessments including information literacy questions on exams and faculty feedback forms, spotlight the achievements in student learning and program integration efficiency. The next steps of this collaboration, being the continued library exposure through advanced library workshops in third and fourth year courses, show a clear path towards creating a proper foundation for students moving into professional practice.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Academic Shop Talks: Reaching Out and Inviting In.

This presentation introduces a new research project exploring how graduate students locate and use Slavic-language and other non-English academic materials—including not only scholarly sources but also grey literature such as government documents, policy briefs, newspapers, and archival materials. As global research increasingly intersects with regions affected by conflict, censorship, or unstable digital infrastructure, students face growing challenges in accessing reliable sources. In many cases, websites and archives are blocked, removed, or inconsistently available, making multilingual research both urgent and precarious. This project seeks to understand how students adapt to these conditions and what institutional support they need. Through planned surveys, this study will investigate the search strategies students employ, the barriers they encounter, and the tools they rely on. The goal is to identify gaps in institutional support and develop targeted resources to help students conduct research across linguistic and geopolitical boundaries. 

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Health Library Shop Talks: Instruction, Support, and Advocacy.

Advocating for our medical library is crucial. We provide healthcare professionals with access to up-to-date research, evidence-based guidelines, and critical resources that improve patient care. After reviewing our library survey, we found gaps largely due to a lack of awareness of library resources and services. To address this, we developed a marketing and advocacy plan to showcase services, highlight our impact on clinical practice, and strengthen the library’s role across the organization. Using tools such as Outlook, Excel, Canva, and LibLynx, we launched monthly campaigns to promote underused resources and highlight library services. This advocacy-driven approach increased visibility, demonstrated value to leadership and clinical staff, and opened doors for broader collaboration. Without advocacy, the sustainability and growth of these essential resources could be jeopardized, ultimately affecting the quality of healthcare delivery.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Academic Shop Talks: Reaching Out and Inviting In.

Libraries are uniquely positioned to serve as connectors between the university and the broader community, offering spaces where scholarship, creativity, and culture intersect. This Shop Talk explores how 2D, 3D, and augmented exhibitions curated and hosted by the University of Regina Library can foster collaboration across disciplines, amplify diverse voices, and strengthen relationships on and off-campus. By highlighting our success in these areas we will demonstrate the University of Regina Library's role as a catalyst for engagement and as a bridge that brings the campus and community together.

This session includes the following Shop Talks:

• Beyond Language Barriers: Graduate Student Research Strategies in Multilingual and Conflict-Affected Contexts
• Libraries as Connectors: Exhibitions That Bridge Campus and Communities

Please note: this is a 15 minute shop talk included in the session Health Library Shop Talks: Instruction, Support, and Advocacy. 
The rising demand for systematic review support in health sciences libraries necessitates efforts to improve efficiency but also constrains the time available to pursue such efforts. This session describes the open access module series that our interprofessional team has built to help libraries meet the growing demand for systematic review support, and to bridge perceived gaps in systematic review support available to researchers. The intended audience is broad and includes students, residents, faculty, and staff. Researchers anywhere can access any of the 8 modules that introduce all stages of the systematic review process (with the ability to generate a certificate of completion) and the packaged module series is accredited for continuing professional development by the RCPSC and CFPC. In addition to being able to refer researchers to this new educational content, an open license enables libraries and institutions to distribute, adapt, and build upon the content.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Our Digital Past, Presence, and Futures: Special Library Shop Talks.

The Library of Parliament contributes to Canadian parliamentary democracy by creating, managing, and delivering authoritative, reliable, and relevant information and knowledge for and about Parliament. A wealth of parliamentary information, data- and research-driven reports, as well as educational resources that help spark curiosity about parliament and deepen understanding of Canada’s democratic process are freely available on our website. Join us for a live demonstration of the richness of the classroom-ready resources, research reports, and historical data portals available from the Library of Parliament’s website that help students and researchers of all ages, from grade school to university, and beyond.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Print, Persistence, and Preservation: Special Library Shop Talks.

Looking for ways to engage your community? Join us for a talk that will inspire ideas and practical solutions! We will present the workflow, methodology, and result of a collaborative exhibit between the Dentistry Library and the Dentistry Alumni Office for the 150th anniversary of the Dentistry Faculty. Using our print and online collection, we researched the history of the library and faculty, highlighting the persistence of past and current staff in in maintaining the library’s continued relevance, through support and partnership. The findings were presented at the ‘Dentistry 150’ open house, using both physical posters in the library and an online exhibit. The posters are now a permanent part of our space, and the exhibit continues to draw engagement. This talk will provide practical insight into collaborating with other departments, designing exhibits to connect with physical and online audiences, and promoting deeper engagement with library resources through storytelling projects.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Print, Persistence, and Preservation: Special Library Shop Talks.

In 1975, a project was founded to gather, preserve, and share stories of women’s histories and experiences across Northwestern Ontario. Through years of work, oral histories, photographs, and other documents were gathered: but the project unfortunately stalled, and the materials sat unused for 50 years. When our Archives acquired these materials, we knew how valuable the stories could be. This presentation will trace a journey through acquisition, fundraising, digitization, media relations, outreach, digital preservation, and student projects: all still ongoing at the time of this proposal. I will also speak to the newly uncovered contents of the tapes themselves: an invaluable resource for researchers in the understudied area of women’s history in Northwestern Ontario. This presentation speaks to persistence not only of the audio recordings, but also of those who believed they were valuable, and of women thriving despite facing many challenges in remote regions in the early 20th century.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Print, Persistence, and Preservation: Special Library Shop Talks. 

This presentation will feature an innovative project by the Library of Parliament to produce printed versions of Senate debates, which have been available exclusively online since 2013. Through this initiative, we will explore the broader challenges that are faced by libraries in balancing digital access with the enduring value of print collections, and consider the implications for access, preservation, and meeting diverse user needs. We will share how the project unfolded, from working closely with our client to navigate expectations and requirements, to building in-house expertise in design and layout software to create a uniform final product. We will also describe the binding process and the practical considerations involved in producing a durable, shelf-ready product that integrates seamlessly into the Library’s existing print collection.

Libraries are cornerstones of democracy, but their future depends on having strong advocates at every decision-making table. This session invites library professionals to consider stepping into elected roles—whether on municipal councils, school boards, or library boards. In partnership with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and electHER, we’ll explore the realities of running for office, the unique challenges women and equity-deserving candidates face, and the supports available through initiatives like Healthy Democracies and Campaign Schools. Attendees will leave inspired and equipped to imagine themselves as candidates who bring library values—equity, access, literacy, and inclusion—into the democratic process.

This Spotlight has been planned and championed by the OLA School Library Sector's OSLA Council.

This presentation examines ableist tropes in children’s picture books to reveal how such tropes limit our collective understanding of disability and constrain the everyday lives of disabled people and communities. Turning to books that actively challenge and resist these patterns, I highlight picture books that center disability politics, cultures, and communities—works that envision disability not merely as an individual condition or deficit, but as a vibrant site of creativity, connection, and possibility. Drawing on the transformative potential of storytelling, I show how narratives grounded in interdependence, collective access, care, and belonging can reframe how we think about and engage with disability, opening new futures for disabled people and communities alike. Rooted in longstanding histories of resistance to ableism and intersecting forms of oppression, disability cultures of access and justice envision worlds where everyone can thrive. In exploring picture books as a generative space for these cultures to expand and flourish, I argue that children’s literature can reorient our relationships to disability and spark our collective imagination toward other ways of being and moving together—inviting readers of all ages to participate in the ongoing work of building worlds animated by disability cultures of access and justice.

This session will focus on building capacity for individuals in the library sector to learn about the importance of Indigenous language revitalization and how they can support this call to action in their work. We will focus on the 5 Rs (Relevance, Respect, Reciprocity, Responsibility, and Revitalization) by introducing Indigenous picture books that include Indigenous languages and provide opportunities for hands-on learning throughout the session. Participants will come away with a foundational understanding of Indigenous languages and practical ways to incorporate Indigenous languages into the library sector to increase capacity for speaking and learning in all communities. Through this session, we hope to contribute to the sector at large by increasing confidence in librarians to fulfill their responsibilities to Truth and Reconciliation through language learning, programming, and resource sharing.

Canadian copyright accelerated in 2025. Ottawa released its “What We Heard” report on Copyright in the Age of Generative AI. The report highlights text and data mining, authorship of AI outputs, and liability. And Canada consulted on renegotiating the Canada-US-Mexico Trade Agreement, including its intellectual property chapters.

The courts also reshaped the landscape. The Federal Court of Appeal blocked reverse class actions, disrupting mass enforcement strategies against internet subscribers. In a separate case, the Court of Appeal suggested that “copyright misuse” may operate as a defence. That possibility places new limits on aggressive enforcement models. AI litigation expanded, including an action in which Canadian news publishers sued OpenAI in Ontario. The outcome will influence licensing terms and platform negotiations. New SOCAN tariff cycles continue at the Copyright Board and will affect broadcast and digital budgets for institutions.

This session delivers the key cases and policy developments. We explain what they mean for fair dealing, text and data mining, and platform responsibility - and what they mean for libraries and librarians.

OCULA Lightning Strikes Talks are presentations prepared by students with an interest in academic libraries who are either currently enrolled in a Master's program in library/information studies or library technician program at an Ontario university or college. 

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Academic Shop Talks: Academic SOS (Supporting Our Students).

A quick scroll through any campus Reddit channel shows a common theme among post-secondary students: loneliness and a longing for connection. The Reach Out Project was created to support initiatives that directly address student loneliness by fostering community and belonging. In this session, learn how this impactful project can be implemented in your library. We will share practical examples from successful initiatives and strategies for implementation. The Reach Out Project aims to bring students together and build community and connections. Our libraries are familiar places and often serve as a second home to many students. We have an opportunity to provide unique engagement and connection in our spaces

We invite all library workers who identify as Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour (IBPOC) to join an open and collaborative roundtable exploring the persistence of cultural identity and the evolving landscape of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)in library work. Through guided conversations, icebreakers, and collective reflection, participants will share lived experiences, challenges, and successes in navigating professional environments while staying true to their cultural identities. Participants will also engage in meaningful dialogue about strategies for self-advocacy and advancing EDI within library institutions. This session aims to identify ways to strengthen community connections, amplify IBPOC voices and envision a more inclusive future for libraries in Canada. This session is for library workers who self-identify as IBPOC.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Academic Shop Talks: Academic SOS (Supporting Our Students).

This session will explore the emerging field of multisensory (audio, visual, tactile, and olfactory) public space design and its practical application in libraries. Drawing from early research, this session will provide an opportunity for understanding the role of multisensory design principles in the library context. Findings and recommendations are applicable to a wide range of budgets and projects, from large-scale renovations to simple, low-cost interventions. The discussion will focus on designing spaces that are open to all patrons, rather than highly specialized areas. Attendees will leave with practical takeaways, including design considerations and real-world examples. Next steps will be shared, along with a call for feedback and questions from the audience.

Faced with rapid system growth and critical employee feedback, it was clear Calgary Public Library had some work to do. The system had 23 worksites operating in silos and growing concerns around access to information and transparency. Something had to change. Join the Communications Team, for tips and tools on how to build a holistic, integrated communications strategy, and hear how one of the largest systems in North America is establishing a culture of communication, collaboration, and belonging for every employee.

Navigating the start of your library career can be overwhelming and isolating, especially in uncertain times. Connecting with peers to share experiences, resources, and support can ease your transition to librarianship and help you create a solid foundation from which to find your path. However, making these connections can be challenging early on. 

Building on the facilitators’ experiences creating community through an early-career librarians group at the University of Toronto, this session invites early-career librarians from all sectors to meet and discuss their experiences navigating this stage of their careers. Facilitated peer-to-peer conversations in small groups will foster sharing and meaningful connection. Attendees will leave with new contacts, a better understanding of librarian roles across different library types, and resources to support them in their career development. 

This session is open to early-career librarians employed across all library and information sectors, as well as those who are currently seeking work. 

Each year, the province of Ontario gathers public library statistics via The Annual Survey of Public Libraries (ASPL). By attending this session you’ll get to know more about the ASPL process, see the latest results, and learn about short-term and long-term trends. You will also find out how to dig deeper into the results, helping your library to make informed decisions that help you maximize community impact. Not only will this session present an opportunity for public libraries to share their feedback on the annual survey, it's also a chance for the Ministry improve the ASPL process by interacting directly with those who complete the survey on behalf of their libraries.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Academic Shop Talks: Academic SOS (Supporting Our Students).

Since the introduction of ChatGPT in 2022, many studies have reported decreases in traffic to websites such as Google and Wikipedia, reflecting broader shifts in user information-seeking behaviour. To understand how these changes may affect academic libraries, we analyzed LibGuides traffic statistics and data from Google Analytics at our institution from their launch in 2015 through the present. Our study compares usage patterns before and after the emergence of ChatGPT, identifies where students accessed the guides from, and pinpoints which guides continue to be actively used in the era of generative AI. This investigation aims not only to trace the impact of tools like ChatGPT on library research guides but also to generate insights into how guides should be tailored and redesigned to support students’ evolving mental models and information-seeking behaviours.

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Academic Shop Talks: Academic SOS (Supporting Our Students).

What do students actually do when they embark on a research assignment? In this Shop Talk, we’ll share how a small-scale user experience (UX) project is offering us a powerful glimpse into student research behaviour. UX research is about understanding problems users are trying to solve. To test our assumption that students aren’t using library resources to complete their assignments and begin to understand why, we’ve been interviewing students, eight so far, about their course assignments. We’ve mapped their journeys to help us understand their process including the tools they use, challenges they face, and emotions they express. From shifting mental models around research (hello, generative AI!) to the perceived effort-reward ratio of using library tools, this session will show how a UX approach is leading to big insights into user needs for our library, and could help you begin to reframe your library’s value proposition to remain relevant, too.

This Spotlight has been planned and championed by the OLA Special Library Sector's Special Libraries Committee.

Shawn Micallef will discuss the process of updating, rewalking and rewriting his book Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto fifteen years after first publication and how it revealed both persistence and resilience in a city that seems to change week by week. 

Library Pen Pals is a successful, self-directed literacy program that I started at Kitchener Public Library to provide a fun way for children to practise writing, both penmanship and content. Getting real letters (and stickers!) in the mail is still a very special surprise for anyone, so it is a great motivator for children learning how to write; as literacy rates are down in Canada, this is a both a timely and fun activity to children to participate in. For the cost of a stamp and some stationery, attendees can learn how to help combat declining child literacy and fill their day with the immense joy of reading some of the hilarious and adorable things kids will gladly share.

This poster presentation will explore the cataloguing and digital curation of the Ursula Franklin Library Collection at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Library’s Archives & Special Collections. In c. 2014, Dr. Franklin, a physicist and engineering professor at the University of Toronto, as well as a renowned pacifist, feminist, activist, and educator, donated her private collection of women and gender studies, and science and technology, books to the UTM Library. For many years, the collection remained in boxes; uncatalogued and unreferenced on the Library’s website. Through the work of library staff and a researcher, the collection was catalogued in 2023, and a digital exhibit of the collection was created the following year. Learn how collaboration between researchers, library staff, and archivists can help breathe new life into special collections, allowing the people and ideas that they reflect to persist over time and space.

Stop by OLA's Community of Practice (CoP) meetups to learn more about the new CoP model and build community with OLA members who share your interests. 

Please note: this is a 15 minute Shop Talk that is a part of the session Print, Persistence, and Preservation: Special Library Shop Talks.

Academic libraries safeguard rare manuscript collections, yet scientific research that could strengthen their stewardship often remains siloed in technical publications. Parchment—the animal skin on which manuscripts across many traditions were written—not only deteriorates with age but also preserves material evidence of bookmaking, use, and cultural value. This session translates recent scientific findings into library practice, connecting laboratory discoveries with pressing questions of preservation, cataloguing, and user engagement. Drawing on two case examples of light microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), we will show how participants can integrate cutting-edge data collected by others into collections care, conservation decision-making, and scholarly access. By bridging science and librarianship, this session offers a fresh approach that empowers libraries to apply innovative data, serve diverse research communities, and strengthen their role as custodians of global cultural heritage.