Advertise on podcast: Library Land Loves

What’s it like to lead Canada’s largest public library system? And how do you keep all the plates spinning when you’re responsible for 100 branches and thousands of employees?  In this episode of Library Land Loves, Michelle sits down with Moe Hosseini-Ara, City Librarian at Toronto Public Library, for the inside scoop on his first year in the big chair.  They chat about the surprises and lessons of his first year, building a strong executive team, and preparing for a new board following the municipal election.   And because leadership is about more than the job title, they also get personal. How does Moe manage stress? What has career planning looked like for him? Can he ever really switch off from work? And what would he be doing if he hadn't found his way into library land? What’s his favourite snack food – the IMPORTANT issues!  It's a conversation about leadership, being true to your values, and the human side of running a very big library system. ******* 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Today on Library Land Loves, we're talking about what libraries should be doing on social media, what we should stop doing, and who's getting it right.  Our guest Angela Hursh is Brand and Communication Director at the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, a Library Journal Mover & Shaker, and an Emmy Award-winning former TV journalist. Angela knows a thing or two about grabbing attention and telling great stories.  So, is it time to rethink everything we know about library social media?  ********* For more information about our new presenting sponsor, visit https://www.cvsmidwesttape.ca/ or https://www.hoopladigital.com/   Visit Angela Hursh’s website: https://superlibrarymarketing.com/ // YouTube Channel  Resources Angela mentioned:   Ann Handley – Everybody Writes   ******** 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

What happens when we take a moment to connect with someone new? In this episode of Library Land Loves, Michelle Arbuckle sits down with Pete Bombaci, founder of GenWell, Canada's national social health movement dedicated to reducing loneliness and strengthening human connection. Together, they explore why social connection is essential to our well-being, how simple conversations can transform communities, and what inspired Pete to launch a movement focused on bringing people together. From the power of talking to strangers to the role libraries can play in fostering belonging, Pete shares practical ideas, inspiring stories, and a compelling vision for creating stronger, more connected communities. Michelle also digs into what makes Pete such an effective advocate, uncovering lessons in storytelling, authenticity, and speaking with purpose. Whether you're a library worker, community builder, or simply someone looking to deepen your connections, this conversation offers thoughtful insights and a timely reminder that meaningful change often begins with a simple hello. ******* For more information about our new presenting sponsor, visit CVSMidWestTape.ca or HooplaDigital.com    Learn about GenWell’s mission, team, and partners, and read some frequently asked questions to understand why they do what they do - visit genwell.ca or donate today!  Talk to a Stranger Week is held annually in November and intends to educate and empower Canadians to build stronger connections and communities through the simple power of talking to strangers. Learn more at talktoastrangerweek.org   Email Pete – I mean, he basically told you to – [email protected]  ******* 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

We’re kicking season 8 off with an important topic: the role public libraries play during municipal elections.   The date is probably already embedded in your mind, but elections in Ontario are set for Monday, October 26 and throughout October BC, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island.  So today we're talking about how we talk about libraries during a municipal election season. How we can be loud for libraries right now. Because the municipality is an important decision maker when it comes to library funding and oversight – and it’s imperative that those decision makers understand the important role that libraries play in their communities. We are joined for this episode by Dina Stevens, Executive Director of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) ******* For more information about our new presenting sponsor, visit https://www.cvsmidwesttape.ca/ or https://www.hoopladigital.com/ https://fopl.ca/ - FOPL is the provincial voice of Ontario's public libraries, advancing advocacy, collaboration, and sector leadership to strengthen library services.  Ontario’s Municipal Elections - https://www.amo.on.ca/about-us/municipal-101/municipal-elections   City of Toronto elections info - https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/   ******* 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

As we close out this season of Library Land Loves, Michelle sits down with Brian Bannon, Chief Librarian of the New York Public Library to come back to one of the most essential (and sometimes overlooked) parts of library work: reading.    Michelle and Brian explore how libraries can reconnect with reading in ways that feel fresh, inclusive, and relevant, and discuss:  Why we may have unintentionally quieted our message about reading  The role of choice, format, and access (yes—this includes audiobooks!)  How to help people build a reader identity  The role reading plays in empathy, wellbeing, and civic life  What a bold, continent-wide reading initiative could look like    Books mentioned in this episode:   Reader Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World – Maryanne Wolf   Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain – Maryanne Wolf   City We Became – N.K. Jemisin  Yesteryear   All of the Rachel Reid books (shout out Canada!)    New York Public Library   OLA is a charitable and non-profit organization (107798159RR0001) that accepts donations for several funds. Each fund supports the library and information sector uniquely; from supporting OLA programs to getting books into the hands of children across Ontario, to mentorship, and more:  Example: I Read Canadian Fund

Summer is just around the corner, and libraries are getting ready—not just with programs and schedules, but with fresh ideas, creativity, and a focus on connecting with their communities in new ways.  In this episode, we chat with libraries from across Ontario to explore how they’re reimagining summer programming. From outdoor adventures to global celebrations and imaginative kids’ experiences, these libraries are thinking beyond the walls and embracing what makes summer special.   Whether you’re planning programs or just looking for inspiration, this episode is a reminder to experiment, collaborate, and try something a little unexpected.  Georgian Bay Public Library  Waterloo Public Library  TPL’s Summer Wonder program  Stratford Public Library – Summer at the Library  FIFA World Cup 26 Toronto Community Activation Toolkit   📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Library Land Loves, we’re taking you inside the Spring Gathering—a powerful and meaningful event that brings together members of the First Nations Public Library (FNPL) community from across Ontario.    Through conversations with organizers and attendees, we explore the purpose behind the gathering, the importance of the FNPL network, and what makes this space so unique. You’ll hear directly from participants about why they attend, what they take away, and how this gathering supports their work and strengthens their communities.    Whether you’ve experienced the Spring Gathering firsthand or are learning about it for the first time, this episode offers a glimpse into the relationships, reflections, and values that shape this important community.    To learn more about the Spring Gathering and the work of First Nations Public Libraries, visit:  First Nations Public Library community resources  Ontario Library Association – Indigenous Community of Practice   📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Michelle Arbuckle sits down with recently retired library leader and past recipient of OLA’s W.J. Robertson Medallion for Public Librarian of the Year, Margie Singleton—an inspiring force in Canadian public libraries whose legacy continues to shape communities across Vaughan and beyond.    Over the course of her remarkable career, Margie led Vaughan Public Libraries through a period of bold growth and meaningful transformation. Her leadership has been especially transformative during moments of challenge as well. But beyond the milestones and achievements, Margie is perhaps best known for her unwavering commitment to mentorship, public service, and empowering the next generation of library professionals. Her passion and impact shines through this thoughtful, energizing episode about leadership, innovation, and the lasting power of libraries to connect and care for their communities.    Whether you’ve worked alongside Margie, been inspired by her work, or are simply dreaming big for your own library, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.  ******* 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Today we’re diving into one of the most pressing issues facing libraries right now: intellectual freedom, and the growing wave of challenges to it across Canada.  Over the past year, we’ve seen a sharp increase in attempts to restrict access to materials, particularly in school libraries, alongside rising political pressure, public controversy, and questions about governance, policy, and professional expertise.  To help us make sense of what’s happening, we're joined by James Turk, Director of the Centre for Free Expression, who has been closely tracking censorship trends across the country, and his latest report offers one of the clearest and most comprehensive national pictures we have of how and where these challenges are unfolding, and what they mean for library workers, boards, and communities.  ******** Centre for Free Expression - Profiles of Challenged Book  Report for Freedom to Read Week - The Rising Demands for Censorship: Challenges in Canadian Libraries in 2025 by James L. Turk  "Alberta's access restrictions threaten privacy and democratic role of libraries, critics say" (CBC, April 13, 2026)  “Responding to Alberta Government’s Defense of Public Library Takeover” (CFE Blog post, April 30, 2026)   Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries   ******** 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to Library Land Loves. Every May, the OLA hosts the largest literary event for young readers in Canada, and it’s called the Forest of Reading Festival.    In case you aren’t familiar with it, we host this annual event at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, and we welcome young readers from all over to get involved in author and illustrator workshops. Plus, they get to have nominees sign their favourite Forest books, take part in games and activities, win prizes, and so much more. It’s a blast, always full of high energy, music, and the voices of excited readers. One of my favourite parts is hearing the rollercoaster screams and cheers as readers see these authors take the stage for awards.   In celebration of the OLA’s 125th Anniversary, Michelle is speaking with one of the Forest of Reading’s most decorated nominees and winners. Eric Walters is a Canadian author of over 150 young adult fiction and picture books, and is, of course, a very familiar face at the Forest of Reading Festival.   ******* Visit Eric Walters’ website and discover all of his books - https://ericwalters.net/   Forest of Reading Festival tickets are on sale to OLA Members starting January 28th, 2026, and sales open to the public on February 4th, 2026  https://forestofreading.com/buy-your-tickets/  ******* 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Welcome back to Library Land Loves. This week, our host Michelle Arbuckle (Executive Director of the OLA) is speaking with two of the proponents leading the way in the movement to support prison library funding, Keersten Wurmann and Tom Best. Prison libraries play a critical role in promoting rehabilitation, literacy, and mental well-being for incarcerated individuals, and they are in particular jeopardy at the moment.  You may have seen the news about Canadian prison library funding and the significant cuts proposed, with plans to eliminate librarian positions that will affect library services and threaten inmate rehabilitation and recidivism.   So what can be done to intercept these measures? How do we advocate for the right to read in prison environments? ******** Open letter started by Book Clubs for Inmates  Visit the website for Book Clubs for Inmates  GELA Prison Libraries Project   Learn more about the Manitoba Library Association Prison Libraries Committee  Review the CFLA-FCAB Endorsement of the Prison Libraries Network's Position Statement on The Prisoners’ Right to Read   Correctional Service Canada. (2025). Commissioner’s Directive 720.   De Agostini, Michelle. (2022). Locked Up Libraries: A Critique of Canadian Prison Library Policy. Journal of Radical Librarianship.   IFLA (2023). Guidelines for library services to prisoners. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.   Joint Statement Regarding Plan to Phase out CSC Librarians and Library Workers.   Saskatchewan Library Association. Prison Library Sub-committee.   United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2015). The United Nations standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners (the Nelson Mandela rules). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.   ******** 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Welcome back to Library Land Loves. Throughout the month of April, there are several high profile events taking place across the country, including The Juno Awards, Canada Reads, and National Canadian Film Day. As our fearless leader, Michelle Arbuckle takes a well-deserved break, we have Emily Burns and Gina Freitag filling in to bring you all the important Can-Cultural news from across the land. The OLA team has connected with libraries and archives that are participating in these celebrations, bringing you a behind-the-scenes peek at the scale of these collaborations, and the energy and planning that goes into each one. Never ones to overwhelm, we've decided to divide each conversation into its own episode, and for Part Three, Emily is getting the lowdown on how The Film Library & Media Archives at the University of Toronto are getting into the spirit of National Canadian Film Day. National Canadian Film Day takes place on April 15th this year. Let’s dream together!Film Library and Media Archives (U of T)website Bluesky Instagram  Facebook Collection Search 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Welcome back to Library Land Loves. Over the month of April, there are several high profile events taking place across the country, including The Juno Awards, Canada Reads, and National Canadian Film Day. As our fearless leader, Michelle Arbuckle takes a well-deserved break, we have Emily Burns and Gina Freitag filling in to bring you all the important Can-Cultural news from across the land.The OLA team has connected with libraries and archives that are participating in these celebrations, bringing you a behind-the-scenes peek at the scale of these collaborations, and the energy and planning that goes into each one.Never ones to overwhelm, we've decided to divide each conversation into its own episode, and for Part Two, Gina is getting you the inside scoop on how Cote Saint-Luc Public Library engages patrons with their very own Canada Reads competition. CBC's Canada Reads book debate episodes are available here 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Welcome back to Library Land Loves. Have we got a treat for you. Over the next month there are several high profile events taking place across the country, including The Juno Awards, Canada Reads, and National Canadian Film Day. As our fearless leader, Michelle Arbuckle takes a well-deserved break, we have Emily Burns and Gina Freitag filling in to bring you all the important Can-Cultural news from across the land. The OLA team has connected with libraries and archives that are participating in these celebrations, bringing you a behind-the-scenes peek at the scale of these collaborations, and the energy and planning that goes into each one. Never ones to overwhelm, we've decided to divide each conversation into its own episode, and we're diving in today with Emily's dispatch from Hamilton Public Library and the work they're doing in the lead up to this week's Juno Awards. Visit the Juno Awards website / check out the Juno  winners and nominees  Read more about the Junior Junos and Juno Stories from the Studio  Check out the Hamilton Public Library staff Junos List!  📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

With Earth Day around the corner, many libraries are thinking about how to engage their communities in conversations about climate and care for the planet. But those conversations can feel complicated. How do we talk about climate change with kids in ways that are honest and hopeful? And how do adults manage their own climate anxiety while staying engaged with the issue?  In this episode, Michelle speaks with environmental educator and bestselling children’s author Rochelle Strauss about using books and storytelling to help young readers build curiosity, empathy, and a connection to the natural world.  Later senior editor and climate activist Jen Knoch joins us to share insights on climate anxiety in adults and why community and conversation are essential for moving from worry toward action.  If this topic resonates with you, consider joining OLA’s Climate Action Community of Practice, where library workers from across the sector are sharing ideas, resources, and programming approaches for engaging their communities on climate issues.    Find Rochelle Strauss’ books on her website - https://www.rochellestrauss.com/books  Follow Rochelle on Instagram at @rochellestraussauthor and @kidscanpress Subscribe to Jen Knoch’s Substack “Five Minutes for the Planet” Join the OLA’s Climate Action Community of Practice: https://accessola.com/communities-of-practice/ Check out the Yellow Cedar Award NomineesOther climate, eco and sustainability resources from the Library Marketplace: Inspiring Teens, Tweens, and Families to Make a Difference in the World: Programming to Advance the Sustainable Development Goals Libraries and Sustainability: Programs and Practices for Community Impact 25 Projects for Eco Explorers Young Activists and the Public Library: Facilitating Democracy Libraries and Gardens: Growing Together Teens Go Green: Tips, Techniques, Tools and Themes for YA Programming 25 Read-To-Use Sustainable Living Programs for Libraries 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.   Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau.  Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠