Planning your board’s legacy means ensuring continuity between the current board and the incoming board. Join staff from the Ontario Library Service for an engaging conversation exploring the Board Legacy process, then sign up to view our recent webinars about Board Transition on LearnHQ.Featuring: Brandon FratarcangeliJesse RobertsLee Puddephatt&  Steven Kraus

This #InConversation episode is in two parts is with Andrew Hallikas, City Councillor and Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Fort Frances Ontario (a medium-small municipality about 4hrs west of Thunder Bay, Ontario near the US Border).  Andrew is also a long serving public library board Member and former Chair of the local library board! In our conversation, Andrew and Steven Kraus explore what it takes to build strong municipal relations, how strong communication and connection can be fostered between parties and how taking initiative with both the elected officials and civil service staff of your community can do wonders for setting strong foundations that can even repair previously fraught situations. Enjoy Part II of our chat, #InConversation.

This #InConversation episode is in two parts is with Andrew Hallikas, City Councillor and Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Fort Frances Ontario (a medium-small municipality about 4hrs west of Thunder Bay, Ontario near the US Border).  Andrew is also a long serving public library board Member and former Chair of the local library board! In our conversation, Andrew and Steven Kraus explore what it takes to build strong municipal relations, how strong communication and connection can be fostered between parties and how taking initiative with both the elected officials and civil service staff of your community can do wonders for setting strong foundations that can even repair previously fraught situations. Enjoy Part I of our chat, #InConversation.

In this special #InConversation Episode of the Board Briefs Podcast, Steven Kraus chats about board awareness  around the Bridge and Edge projects with the vibrant and engaged Team from the Toronto Public Library and the Urban Libraries Council.  Guests:Sepideh MckensyProject Lead, Bridge Project Policy, Planning and Performance ManagementToronto Public Librarysmckensy@tpl.caLourdes AcevesDirector, Edge at the Urban Libraries Councillaceves@urbanlibraries.orgBetsey SuchanicSenior Program Manager at the Urban Libraries Councilbsuchanic@urbanlibraries.org-------------Backgrounder: The Urban Libraries Council and the Toronto Public Library being the next phase (Phase 3) of the Bridge Project. Phase 3 of the project is designed to build public libraries’ capacity and skill to collect, analyze and communicate data and to demonstrate public libraries’ vital role in advancing digital equity in their communities.Phase 3 of the project is split into two program streams:Stream 1 - Bridge and Edge Cohort: Libraries will use the Bridge and Edge Toolkits to measure the performance and outcomes of the technology services they deliver to their communities. Results from the toolkits will support our understanding of how Ontario public libraries have been able to pivot their technology services to respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic and demonstrate the essential role public libraries play in supporting recovery.Stream 2 - Data Fluency Cohort: The Edge Data Fluency Program is designed for all levels of library staff to build data skills. Libraries will attend a series of four workshops over an 11-month period. The series includes introduction to data fluency, collecting, understanding, and using community, library and program data, and communicating data. Participation is free for all public libraries in Ontario and opportunities to register after the project launch continue to remain available. Why your library should participate·  Increase libraries’ capacity and skill to collect and analyze data·  Improve libraries’ ability to make informed, evidence-based decisions and understand how technology services are being used· Have access to reliable, timely and relevant data to demonstrate the value of investments in technology to stakeholders, decision-makers, and local leaders· Determine technology services that have greater impact to inform resource allocation and/or demonstrate need for more investment· Ensure responsiveness to residents and communitiesTo learn more about Phase 3 of the Bridge Project, please visit: tpl.ca/bridgeprojectTo learn more about Phase 3 of the Edge Project, please visit: http://www.libraryedge.org/

We add a new element to the Board Briefs Podcast Flow with our Ep. #3 installment as we feature our first "#InConversation" segment.  We will take an opportunity to chat from time to time away from our usual format to dig deep with Library Leaders, Experts and a few "Usual Suspects" from the provincial library community here in Ontario and from other jurisdictions to chat about trends, important issues or current matters relevant to public libraries and their boards.    In this installment CEO's Mellissa D'onofrio-Jones (OLS-North) and Barbara Franchetto (SOLS) chat with host Steven Kraus about the upcoming Amalgamation of the Ontario Library Service Agencies into the new Ontario Library Service, which will serve the province as of April 1st 2021.  We also couldn't resist also asking our guests about some trends and points of note they've witnessed in our public library community throughout our current  #Covid-19 times in the public library sector.

Brandon and Steven chat with Caroline Goulding OLBA VP and Dryden Public Library Board Member and Joanne DeQuadros, Chief Librarian at Thorold Public Library about how Covid 19 has affected Governance, Operations and the state of their Public Libraries in their two distinct corners of Ontario.

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Board Briefs Podcast! Brandon and I are more than excited to Launch this new joint Ontario Library Service Podcast for Public Library Board Members! Featured in Epsiode #1, we give a brief intro about our plans for this podcast and have lively discussion with Julia (CEO) and Jack (Board Member) from the Stratford Public Library as we dig into some governance basics! ------------------------- Bienvenue au Balado bref-infos :  épisode 1! Brandon et moi sommes ravis du lancement de ce nouveau balado, une collaboration des Services des bibliothèques de l'Ontario pour les membres de conseils d'administration de bibliothèques publiques! Dans ce  premier épisode , nous donnons un aperçu de nos plans pour ce balado et nous nous engageons dans une discussion animée avec Julia (DG) et Jack (membre du CA) de la bibliothèque publique de Stratford pour mettre le point sur quelques éléments fondamentaux de la gouvernance!