There is a pressing need for children's libraries in Africa but limited knowledge about how to bring the need to reality. The Osu Children's Library Fund (OCLF), has developed considerable expertise in this area after building six large community libraries in Accra, Ghana, and helping to create more than 200 smaller libraries throughout Ghana and other African countries. It has also published 25 children's books reflecting African culture.

The Ministry of Culture will review the 2009-2010 initiatives, priorities, and policy activities impacting public libraries.

Hundreds of students are enrolled in Ontario's post graduate library studies programs. These students will drive the future of library and information science. What are the trends, perspectives, and learning opportunities available to students, and what do we as employers need to be ready for as we welcome the future into our organizations?

Friends in their library community can have a big impact with successful programming, public awareness and fundraising. Come to this interactive networking session to share ideas and brainstorm. Topics relating to publicity and marketing, event planning and fundraising campaigns will be featured.

Resources:
Workshop Notes

Cet atelier présente un survol des genres en bande dessinée. La bande dessinée est en plein essor depuis une dizaine d'années et la forme a éclaté. Il y a maintenant une multiplicité de styles et de manières de faire. Qu'on pense au roman graphique, à la manga, au "comic book" ou à l'album cartonné classique, comment s'y retrouver?

This presentation will describe an innovative partnership consisting of the University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital, and the University of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to share expertise and resources to improve healthcare in this developing nation.

Referencing literature on the academic library's role in student retention, suggestions for future directions in library service will be offered based on how the library fits into different models of student integration. Current initiatives to combat attrition will be discussed, and ideas for gathering evidence to assess your library's impact or prove your role in this campus-wide issue will be offered.

Resources:
Session Presentation (.ppt)

The need to formalize our mentorship program arose when many new librarians were hired between 2005 and 2007. The Librarians of the McMaster University Faculty Association developed a mentorship program to meet the needs of these new arrivals. Hear how the program was developed and executed, some of the challenges and, most importantly, lessons learned.

Resources:
Session Presentation (.ppt)

Part One:  Lessons Learned, Implementing IL into First-Year Courses
The challenges of teaching information literacy skills to first year university students are compounded by large class sizes. At Queen's University, librarians have introduced a multi-faceted, collaborative, course-integrated approach for first-year classes in Sociology and Biology. Their success over the past three years will be presented.

Part Two: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: can students recognize quality sources?
Students were asked to assess the quality of 100 Wikipedia articles. This study evaluated whether students recognized good articles from lower quality articles? What type of information sources did the students use to evaluate the quality of Wikipedia articles and were these sources credible?

Resources:
Session Presentation - Part Two (.pptx)

Technological change presents opportunities to change the way collection management is done. Fiscal realities make these changes essential. When support staff is re-deployed or positions lost and librarians are trying to balance workloads, what can be done? This presentation will discuss some of the changes made in collection management at the UTM Library. Topics include elimination of serials check-in, direct to vendor ordering by librarians, blanket purchasing of items requested through interlibrary loan, the introduction of approval plans for all subject areas, and 9XX software for vendor/database management.

Library students will attempt to electrify us with their 10 minute lightning talks. Audience members will vote for the best presentation to determine this year's OCULA student award winner. Student presenters and their session titles are:
Laura Beauchamp – The Amazing Library Race
Gary Collins – Reel Collections: Unearthing the Film Collection in Academic Libraries
Aliya Dalfen – Living the Living Library
Daniel Farrelly – Beyond "Where's the Washroom?": The Empathetic Academic Librarian
Judith Logan – Millennials Among You

One lucky audience member will win a Flip video digital camcorder.

Resources:
Session Presentation Laura Beauchamp (.pdf)
Session Presentation Aliya Dalfen (.pptx)
Session Presentation Judith Logan (.pptx)

This presentation will focus on how Information Communication Technologies are used to support and develop skills by the students in Canada and their global partners. Students from around the globe use collaborative project-based activities to learn not only about each other, but with each other.

Do you need some laughter in your life? Looking for funny books to hook your reluctant reader? Even books that deal with serious issues can be more accessible when the right kind of humour is used. Sometimes the humour is "edgy". Learn about new picture books, fiction, graphic novels, joke books and poetry. Come with your sense of humour!

Resources:
Booktalk List (.pdf)

Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series has taken the literature world by storm. With the appearance of the movie adaptations, everyone's talking about Edward, Bella and Jacob. Hear from two uber-fans about other titles to recommend to your readers searching to satisfy their post-Twilight cravings. Other topics will include age guidelines, library lesson plans, the online buzz that led to the phenomenon and the online fan communities that defy the stereotypes associated with "vampire romance".

Resources:
Twilight Read-Alikes for Different Audiences (.doc)

Social Justice issues are an integral part of the Ontario Curriculum and much can be done in the school library to support and promote inclusive activities and encourage dialogue. Join three teacher-librarians who have used book-talks, video conferencing, and special events to engage their students.

Brodart presents libraries of the future!! Flying librarians! Beam entire books to your brain! Come and learn how to take your library to the next ‘realistic step’. Balancing the ever changing requirements while maintaining a fresh look in your space is an ongoing challenge. Join the experts in public libraries and education as they present new ideas to create a modern user friendly and inviting environment that appeals to all ages.

Today, in addition to traditional services, libraries need to provide a range of computer and information technology services: library automation systems, shared access patron computers, traditional PC applications, wired and wireless internet access, computer coaching and workshops, and much more. Join IT Coordinator Eric Pierce as he shares some of what he has learned at a rural library system, and in 35 years as a computer professional.

Resources:
Session Presentation (.pdf)
Presentation Notes (.pdf)

Microsoft Surface, iPod Touch, iPhone: multi-touch screens are suddenly everywhere, and have already radically changed the way we are interacting with technology. Join us for a non-technical exploration of this new trend and discuss the implications.

Matching readers with books is one of the joys (and challenges) of our profession. This is particularly true with adult literacy and ESL learners, who require material that is written in simple language but is still appropriate for an adult audience. Come learn about titles and genres that are popular with these patrons, as well as the criteria to consider when making up your own reading lists for adult learners.

Resources:
Session Presentation (.ppt)

Simple but effective things that you can do to take your storytimes to the next level. From puppets to magic, nursery rhyme hip-hop to traditional storytelling forms, here are ideas that you can put to work right away. Enhance any storytime from preschool to adult!

The challenge of the relevance of the Neighbourhood Branch Library comes down to a fundamental question: who does the library serve? A library board's decision-making practice regarding the future of small branches often creates the appearance of community consultation, but the process acts as a democratic formality and not as a decision motivated by economic imperatives. What is the true nature of the efficiency-accountability measure?

This session provides a first-hand account of what it means to prepare for, plan for, and live through building a new library, or a major renovation. Speakers for each project will talk about the goals of their projects, what worked well, and what they would do differently the next time.

Every library makes a difference ... and so does every voice. Show your support for First Nation public library development in Ontario by learning more about this major advocacy campaign. View our series of public service announcements, learn about our Speak Up web site, and discover simple but effective ways you can participate in improving the availability and delivery of public library service in Ontario First Nation communities. "Speak Up" posters and 2010 "Speak Up" calendars will be available.

SOLS/OLS-N and Knowledge Ontario, through its Our Ontario project, are partnering in the Community Digitization Project, with the aim of strategically developing digitized content about Ontario communities and building sustainable digitization programs within the public library sector. This project brings together expertise, staff, and technology to enable over 25 selected public libraries and community partners (archives, museums, historical societies) to build a long-term knowledge base.

Can libraries ever hope to be more than over-eager newbs in the design of online spaces for teens and tweens? How do we develop connection and conversation spaces that reach beyond our beloved “nerds”? We'll share research about the 1st first phase of the OLA Forest Interactive program: what we learned, and how your library can participate!

The University of Windsor Library migrated to Conifer in May 2009. Bringing up the new system, the data migration and clean-up, and the user training, will all be shared in this session.

Hear the benefits of using open source technology in building digital collections with demonstrations, Q&A, and open discussion.

Discover the potential benefits of reinventing library physical and virtual spaces into a school learning commons that addresses the evolving needs of teachers and students. Learn how to transform your library web page into a virtual learning commons using Google Apps and other powerful web 2.0 applications.

The general topic is about the development of library education from 1900 to the 1930s and the change from an occupation to a profession. Elaine Boone describes how the library school at Univ. of Toronto achieved accreditation in the 1930s and how librarians began to view themselves. Elizabeth Hanson discusses library education before 1930 and OLA's advocacy for improved training through library institutes across the province for librarians and trustees in this early period. The Ex Libris Association, with a long-standing interest in these matters, is the sponsor for this interesting session.

Back by popular demand! Year 12! Along with the popcorn, enjoy an overview of the year's best and worst children's films.

The Google Books Settlement is a complex issue of critical importance to libraries and the educational community. It continues to be controversial and the Canadian Library community is following developments closely.  This timely session will highlight the background, the issues, and the current status, with implications for Canadian authors, libraries, and citizenry.