We live in a time where the spread of censorship, exclusionary rhetoric, and “alternative facts” represent a real threat to intellectual freedom and other core values of librarianship. These values articulate the importance of diverse communities and the need for...
BCLA Perspectives
Issue 2: The Library Values Issue
Embracing access and inclusion at the Downtown Eastside’s Carnegie Library
[ACCESS & INCLUSION] A Vancouver Foundation report published in 2012 highlighted isolation and loneliness as major issues facing the city of Vancouver. I was working as a Community Librarian at the time, keen on advancing the Community-Led Libraries model – and...
Canadian libraries in the 45th US presidency: An actionable guide
[ACCESS & INCLUSION] Libraries across North America have seen and contributed to a flurry of policy and advocacy efforts since the United States presidential election in November. Among this work have been impressive efforts in sharing resources for refugee...
TRC and VPL and Me: The journey we share and take alone
[ACCESS & INCLUSION] “Seven generations, seven generations” is a mantra I say to myself whenever I come across something new about Canada’s fractured history with Indigenous peoples. It seems like every day I learn another story about families split apart,...
A librarian reflects on library values
[ACCESS & INCLUSION, ACCOUNTABILITY, DIVERSITY] Since the election and inauguration of Donald Trump, I have found myself reflecting on borders and land. Very soon after Trump had signed his executive order to implement the immigration and travel ban in the United...
The incredible shrinking role of government in BC
[ACCOUNTABILITY] Editor’s note: In light of the Saskatchewan provincial government’s decision to cut its library budget to the tune of $4.8 million – which, due to public pressure, was recently reversed – it's important to remember that in our current economic...
‘We have racism in Canada’: An interview with Community Engagement and Diversity Specialist Meharoona Ghani
[DIVERSITY] Meharoona Ghani is the Manager of Community Connections and Diversity at the North Shore Multicultural Society. She is also the Principal of M. Ghani Consulting, Community Engagement and Diversity Specialist. This interview was conducted over the phone on...
Diverse titles to talk about from the Readers’ Advisory Interest Group
[DIVERSITY] In an era when the marginalization of diversity has become alarmingly normalized, it's imperative that librarians connect our readers to the broadest possible spectrum of voices. This is why the BCLA Readers’ Advisory Interest Group (RAIG) strives to...
BC’s GLAM sector signs Memorandum of Understanding to build capacity for learning and discovery
[INNOVATION & CREATIVITY] Representatives from the British Columbia Library Association (BCLA), the British Columbia Museums Association (BCMA), and the Archives Association of BC (AABC) gathered at the Surrey City Centre Library on March 24 to announce a new...
Live from the 2017 BC Library Conference
[INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM] In an effort to advance the enthusiastic conversations and ideas that transpired at this year’s BC Library Conference, BCLA aimed to extend its annual conference offerings outside session (and hotel) walls. For the first time, BCLA enlisted a...