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The Impact of Highly Qualified Teacher-Librarians in BC
Get PDFThe levels of teacher-librarian formal education and training in British Columbia (BC) can vary, from a master’s degree in library and information studies, to teacher-librarianship diploma or teacher-librarianship certificate, to no formal education. There is substantial literature on the significance of having highly qualified, full-time teacher-librarians at schools, but most of the current literature exists outside of BC, and the definition of what highly qualified means is often very vague. This review will explore the existing literature on teacher-librarian qualifications to consider the need for further research into teacher-librarian qualifications in BC—specifically distinguishing how different levels of qualifications correlate with the teacher-librarian’s level of impact on their respective school communities, which could also provide evidence and support for the need for more highly qualified teacher-librarians in BC
Inclusivity in Action: An Introduction to the 2024 FIP Conference
Get PDFThis introduction to the 2024 Forum for Information Professionals (FIP) Extended Abstracts discusses the conference’s theme of access and acceptance in libraries and provides an overview of the conference presentations
Research Data Management in the Canadian Context: A Guide for Practitioners and Learners
Get PDFBook review for Research Data Management in the Canadian Context: A Guide for Practitioners and Learners
The House as Archive: Reimagining the Preservation of Spadina House
Get PDFThis paper explores the ways in which outdated perspectives surrounding historical properties, particularly those from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, shape quite negatively their preservation and conservation for the future. An examination of Spadina House in Toronto, Ontario provides a compelling case for the importance of viewing historical properties as theoretical archives in their own rights, and thus deserving of proper care under the mandate of the Ontario Heritage Act
Policing and Carcerality in Public Libraries
Get PDFPolicing in libraries poses a significant barrier to access for many potential patrons—and yet, much of the literature on library security advocates for strong security measures without regard for the safety and wellbeing of patrons and staff who are BIPOC, LGBTQ2SIA+, disabled, and unhoused. Considerable lived experience and research shows that police disproportionately target those whose identities deviate from the norm, but in a society with so many diverse experiences, identities, and relationships to power and authority, we are obligated as socially conscious library workers to consider how our relationships to policing and security in the library affect all peoples. To do so, we draw on an intersectional abolitionist praxis that seeks to deconstruct the carceral and penal systems omnipresent in our society. After exploring some of the security measures taken by public libraries that enable the carceral state, we propose alternative measures that can be taken through the acronym-based catchphrase to encourage library workers of all types to give greater consideration to the ramifications of involving police in difficult patron interactions
Beware of Predatory Publishers! How Academic Libraries Can Safeguard Researchers Against Counterfeit Journals
No full textPredatory publishers, also known as deceptive journals or pseudo-journals, are a growing problem in scholarly communications. These counterfeit periodicals exploit the principles of open access publishing for profit and can even engage in criminal practices. Early-career professionals and scholars from developing countries are particularly vulnerable to these tactics. Consequently, pseudo-journals pose a threat to the integrity of academic research. It is imperative for scholars to be cautioned and supported by knowledgeable allies, yet there is a lack of leadership and investment in this area. While some studies have acknowledged the usefulness of librarians as advocates and guides, few have investigated the specific role of academic libraries as warriors against predatory publishers. While most libraries currently have initiatives to inform researchers about predatory publishers, the general attitude indicates that more needs to be done. Therefore, a list of feasible, sustainable recommendations was compiled. This list aims to supply library workers with possible solutions to implement in their workplaces. Academic libraries have the potential to spearhead a movement that safeguards researchers against predatory publishers, thereby upholding publication ethics and the integrity of research
Information Without Borders 2024 Conference Report
No full textThe sixteenth annual Information Without Borders Conference took place on March 25th 2024. One of the conference co-chairs, Naomi Richards, reflects upon the major themes of the day and the impact of the conference on her experience as a Dalhousie MI student and her career path as an information professional
Reflections on a Residency: How I Adopted a Student-Centered Approach to Teaching
Get PDFThis reflective piece describes the author\u27s experience as a faculty engagement librarian at the University of Alberta library as part of the library’s residency program. Delving into the challenges of transitioning from a library masters program to the workforce and ensuing feelings of imposter syndrome, the author shares their journey of transitioning from a presentation-focused teaching style to a student-centered teaching approach.
 
The Prison Library as Sanctuary : Using a Whole-Person Approach in Prison Libraries to Support Mental and Emotional Health in Incarcerated Women
Get PDFPrison library services in both federal and provincial correctional institutions across Canada are inconsistent, largely underfunded and understaffed. There is limited data around current prison library services which impacts the ability to plan future correctional library services. This research is intended to identify this information gap and aid in future modeling of correctional library services. This research will also examine how libraries can employ a holistic framework to support the mental health and wellbeing of women experiencing incarceration. Additionally, this paper will explore how prison libraries can be decolonial spaces within a carceral context, to act in part as vehicles of reconciliation and attempt to uniquely address the gross over-representation of Indigenous peoples in the Canadian justice system. Through employing a holistic framework and offering library spaces and services that support mental health and emotional health, prison libraries have the potential to transform lives and in a small way pursue reconciliation