OPLA’s Research and Evaluation Committee presented at the OLA Super Conference 2022: Finally Fines Free! Explore Different Ways of Using Data to Help Your Library Advocate for Going Fines Free Ontario Library Association Super Conference 2022 The link to the presentation will be provided soon. In the meantime, check out the Advocating for Fines-Free Libraries Read More…
Category: Advocacy
Poverty in Canada by the Numbers
“No Poverty” is the 1st of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Libraries contribute to this goal by delivering programs to improve literacy and numeracy for everyone.
Researching Social Impact: 2021 Canada Research Chairs Announced
In June, the Government of Canada announced the most recent SSHRC funding and Canada Research Chair recipients. The following researchers cover topics of interest to GLAMs.
Library Futures for the technology-positive future of libraries
Library Futures is a newly formed advocacy group focused on supporting libraries in the digital age in their efforts to provide equitable access to knowledge. The group’s principles include improving equitable access to digital content, copyright legislation that supports library lending, universal broadband infrastructure and privacy rights for all. Directed by a group library workers, Read More…
Article: National Library Week Reminding People the Impact of Public Libraries
This article appeared on the Fox Illinois web site on April 13, 2017. The article profiles Champaign Public Library, and how the proposed federal budget, which includes the elimination of the IMLS, puts libraries like Champaign PL in jeopardy. “It’s a place where you can find a book to read,” Harrington said. “You can find that computer Read More…
Pew: The public is interested in new services and thinks libraries are important to communities
American libraries are buffeted by cross currents. Citizens believe that libraries are important community institutions and profess interest in libraries offering a range of new program possibilities. Yet, even as the public expresses interest in additional library services, there are signs that the share of Americans visiting libraries has edged downward over the past three Read More…
What the ‘death of the library’ means for the future of books
This article by S.E. Smith appears in The Week: Forbes contributor Tim Worstall wants us to close public libraries and buy everyone an AmazonKindle with an unlimited subscription. “Why wouldn’t we simply junk the physical libraries and purchase an Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription for the entire country?” he asks. Worstall points to substantial savings on public funds, arguing that people Read More…
Worth Their Weight: An Assessment of the Evolving Field of Library Valuation (2007)
This study was commissioned by the Americans for Libraries Council as part of their larger program, “Building Knowledge for Library Advocacy”. This study, published in 2007 was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Snippet: Section I of Worth Their Weight approaches the subject of economic valuation from three directions: (1) a discussion of Read More…
Making Cities Stronger: Public Library Contributions to Local Economic Development (2007)
The study was commissioned by the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) in January 2007 and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. Snippet: Strategies for building a strong economic base are being realigned. Human resource strategies are coming to the fore, as jobs created in the new economy require highly Read More…
The Engaged Library: Chicago Stories of Community Building (2005)
This study was conducted by the Asset-Based Community Development Institute at Northwestern University in December 2005. The study was initiated the Urban Libraries Council and funded by the Chicago Community Trust and Chicago Public Library Foundation. Snippet: In late summer, 2005, Co-Director Jody Kretzmann and researcher Susan Rans from the Asset-Based Community Development Institute at Read More…