The group discussed the closures/reductions/limitations that were in place for their LLCs last year. Coming from three different Ontario school boards there was a lot to discuss as to how each board approached staffing during the 2020-2021 school year. All three TLs share how their libraries have re-opened for student and educator use this year. How are we ensuring that students have access to culturally relevant and diverse texts as well as a variety of text formats (ebooks, audiobooks, etc)? Given the transition that’s happening for Ontario Ministry of Education mandated tests (OSSLT & EQAO) there also needs to be a shift in how students are able to access texts within their classroom and school library. As school library professionals what steps can we take to help push this transition forward and advocate for the needs of our students? The panel also discusses goals for this year in the LLC while balancing their own energy and mental health needs.

Alanna King
Role: Educator, fully remote senior English with the Upper Grand District School Board
Twitter: @banana29

Jonelle St Aubyn
Role:Full time teacher librarian at Louise Arbour Secondary School
Twitter: @Ms_St_Aubyn

Adrienne Kennedy
Role: Full time teacher librarian (focus on Library and Wellness) Toronto District School Board, TDSB

Texts/Resources mentioned in this episode:

Libro FM
https://libro.fm/

Poetry In Voice
https://www.poetryinvoice.com/

Centauri Arts
https://www.centauriarts.com/

HotDocs
https://www.hotdocs.ca/

Festival of Literary Diversity
https://thefoldcanada.org/festival-events/fold-kids-bookfest/

The Making Box
https://www.themakingbox.ca/

Digital Human Library
https://www.digitalhumanlibrary.com/

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab