OLA has chartered a bus to pickup attendees arriving at Union Station at 8:15am, arriving at the Centennial Campus at 9:00am. The bus will then return to Union at the end of the day, leaving the campus at 4:30pm.
While working as a veterinary technician, Joanne George heard about a puppy mill not far from the clinic and embarked on a rescue mission with her coworkers. On that special day Joanne met Smiley for the first time. He had been born without eyes and with dwarfism and because of his time in the puppy mill, Smiley was suffering from serious anxiety. While the other dogs rescued that day were found loving homes, Smiley was going to need some extra special care. Nothing happens without practice and patience and Joanne and Smiley learned both those traits together. Gradually Smiley was able to walk off leash and started greeting Joanne at the back door. She gave Smiley a loving home and he taught her patience, understanding and acceptance. It became evident that Smiley would be a wonderful therapy dog.
The Children's or Youth Services Librarian of the Year Award is given to honour a children's librarian who has made a positive impact on children's or youth services librarianship.
We are very proud this year to honour Kelley England of King Township Public Library.
Kelley England is a dynamic leader in Children and Youth in Ontario. As the Manager of Children and Youth Services at the King Township Public Library, Kelley is a key member of the leadership team. She continues to improve the calibre of programming for her young audience which includes STEAM-based programming. Kelley also serves as an excellent ambassador for library services through her vigorous outreach and engagement with community partners. She works very closely with Township Parks, Recreation and Culture staff to engage not only children, but also teens, and is a facilitator for the local Mayor's Youth Action Team. Through these efforts she consistently raises awareness of the value of library service, all the while encouraging and modelling a culture of life-long learning to children, teens, educators and parents alike.
Her contributions to the profession, including serving on the Child and Youth Services and Child and Youth Expo committees, as well as her "day job", being a Children and Youth Services Manager in a multi-branch library system, highlight her dedication to the field and demonstrate that Child and Youth Services is a rewarding career choice with endless opportunities to both grow and inspire growth.
Presented by Rona O'Banion, CEO, King Township Public Library
True children’s games in our Storytime which evoke an emotional response last a lifetime. Through these games, the physical human contact between an adult and child creates bonding, attachment, provides joy, support emergent literacy and build a child’s brain.
Join speaker, author and Registered Early Childhood Educator, Jill Javelosa-Alvarez for a fun and interactive session designed for early years professionals. This session will spark ideas on how to engage children and families through the use of true musical games.
Jill Javelosa-Alvarez is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with a strong educational background and years of experience in working with children, families, and early learning professionals. She currently works as an Early Literacy Specialist in York Region, Ontario and has... Read More →
Jaymis Goertz, Programmer, Emergent Technologies, Waterloo Public Library Augmented Reality in the Library: Putting a sandbox (yes, you read that right) into the Children's Department at WPL
Becky Roi, Programmer, Waterloo Public Library Place-making for All Ages: Multigenerational Programming That Builds Community
Jaymis Goertz, Programmer, Emergent Technologies, Waterloo Public Library Where the Wild Things Are: A risky play, forest-school based approach to programming
Jo Scott, Children's and Youth Services Assistant, Georgina Public Library Locked In: Your teens will love it!
Kristin Hoffman, Social Worker, Toronto Public Library The Role of the Social Worker at the Toronto Public Library
Catherine Arthurs, Teen Services & Digital Services Assistant, Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library More Than Just Graduation Service Hours: Working with Teens to Create Meaningful Community Service Opportunities
At this workshop, you will experience a heightened story-telling experience performed by Briar Boake of the story “Milton’s Secret” by Eckhart Tolle and Robert S. Friedman. Using the lessons in the story and mindfulness techniques students learn how to stay in the moment and cope with fear and anxiety.
The second part of the workshop will sample The T.A.S.A.M. (Tackling Anxiety and Stress through Arts and Mindfulness) program which uses a Creative Arts education approach (storytelling, visual arts, drama and mindful movement), in conjunction with an expert in child development to introduce strategies and tools that will effectively manage the challenges of everyday anxiety and stress for years to come. It is a discussion facilitated by Jennifer Kay a Child and Youth Counsellor and Mental Health advocate, where the participants will be able to take the tips and tools learned in this workshop immediately back to “real world” situations to implement. Topics that will be covered include-
• How to maintain an organized and predictable environment • Ways to be mindful of your own body language and tone and its effect on your environment • How to make transitions easier • Ways to listen when students share their worries or anxieties • Strategies to normalize anxious and worried feelings • Sharing media and resources that help to reduce the stigma of anxiety • Having realistic expectations and adjusting expectations • Communicating with parents and caregivers
Briar Boake is an engaging facilitator and workshop leader. She is a specialist in teaching Yoga and Mindful Awareness to children and holds a degree with high distinction from University of Toronto in Teaching and Learning Second Languages. A professional actor and musical entertainer... Read More →
Jennifer Kay is a Child and Youth Counsellor and mental health advocate who has been working with children and families in Toronto for over a decade both privately and in clinical settings. Her vast experience began working for the Hospital for Sick Children as a Crisis Worker, and... Read More →
STEAM programming gone stale? Robots getting rusty? Explore exciting new technology-based program offerings from libraries around Ontario that you can replicate. Not only can you play with the fun tech projects in this petting zoo but you can also get practical advice from the library staff who made them!
Don't let burnout drag you down! Release some stress with some soothing activities, fun, and new friends. You are even able to learn how to create a Stress-Less Zone in your own library while sharing tales of favourite activities to help your youth avoid burning out as well.
In all of our schools, library spaces are at the very heart. Students, staff, parents/caregivers, and volunteers don't have to be here: they WANT to be! If you are feeling like this is not the case in your school or library building, let's look at resources, furnishings and technology to renew your space on a small, medium, or large budget! And for those with very tight purse strings, let's plot user data that will leverage support (and funds!) for your library renewal.
Shobna Gopaul is a University of Waterloo graduate. She is also a recent graduate from the Library and Information Technician program at Mohawk College. Shobna is currently the full-time Library Technician at White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville, ON. She is passionate about... Read More →
Elementary School Library Technician, Halton District School Board
Stephanie Trotter is a graduate of the Library and Information Technician program at Seneca College and has been in her current role as an Elementary School Library Technician with the Halton District School Board for the past ten years. The role involves balancing the individualized... Read More →
Jeanette Weatherill has been enjoying a diverse and evolving career as a Library Technician with the Halton District School Board since 2001. Having started out as the Technician in the amazing Acton District High School Library, Jeanette now works centrally out of School Program... Read More →
Cameron Ray from the OPLA Child & Youth Services Committee will tell us all about the super fantastic data that was collected in the most recent OLA Teen Services Survey. We know, we know, data is a super dry topic to end the day, right? WRONG! This data has sparkles, a unicorn horn and a cherry on top. You've got to see it to believe it.
Looking for something to do before hitting the rush hour traffic at the end of the day? Join us for a drink and a bite to eat! This restaurant is part of Centennial College's School of Hospitality, and is run by their students. We hope to see you there. https://thelocalrestaurant.ca/
No, it’s not a class with Professor Lupin or Snape. But it IS a workshop about writing dark subjects for kids and teens. How do authors write a book with a disturbing subject and keep your story accessible? Why is it important to share these stories for kids? What is considered taboo? We’ll look at some popular dark stories and discuss why some people bristle at the idea and why they are absolutely necessary.
MELANIE FLORENCE is an award-winning writer of Cree and Scottish heritage based in Toronto. She was close to her grandfather as a child, a relationship that sparked her interest in writing about Aboriginal themes and characters. She is the author of Missing Nimama, which won the 2016 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the 2017 Forest of Reading Golden Oak Award and was a finalist for the 2017 First Nation Communities READ award. Her most recent picture book, Stolen Words, won the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award and was given a starred review by Kirkus, who listed it as one of the best picture books of 2017 to give readers strength. Her other books include Righting Canada's Wrongs: Residential Schools and the teen novels He Who Dreams, The Missing, One Night, and Rez Runaway.
In her spare time, Melanie watches Doctor Who and Harry Potter with her daughter, discusses the DC vs Marvel Universes with her son and makes her husband sit through scary movies with her. She shares her home with her family, their two dogs (Henry and Daisy), two cats (Shadow and Oreo) and a backyard that seems to constantly attract wildlife.
MELANIE FLORENCE is an award-winning writer of Cree and Scottish heritage based in Toronto. She was close to her grandfather as a child, a relationship that sparked her interest in writing about Aboriginal themes and characters. She is the author of Missing Nimama, which won the 2016... Read More →
This award is to honour excellent library staff working with children or youth. The award can be given to an individual or group. It can be a service-based project, a unique program, a community partnership, an outreach endeavor or an advocacy effort that you feel should be recognized and celebrated.
We are very proud to honour Christy Giesler and the Kitchener Public Library for their Story Sheroes Program.
Story Sheroes helps girls better navigate their world through reading, writing, and creating art, poetry and stories. Story Sheroes encourages the exploration of meaningful topics in a safe environment, with the goal for each program to celebrate newfound awareness and creativity in a publication that is shared with the community. First offered in the fall of 2015 in partnership with the KW YWCA, Kitchener Public Library's Children's and Teen Collections Librarian Christy Giesler worked alongside staff from the KW YWCA to develop and deliver girl-positive creative programming, supported by access to the library's resources.
Story Sheroes was evaluated and celebrated as a tremendous success by parents and participants, helping young teen girls develop confidence and self-acceptance as they explore art and story telling. Now a Kitchener Public Library program, the successes continue, with nine consecutive programs filled to capacity, where girls discover their own identity and learn to express themselves more confidently.
There are plenty of places in Toronto to catch a drag show. And now the library is one of them in the form of a family-friendly event featuring queens reading picture books, performing lip sync numbers and more. Scott Robins from Toronto Public Library will provide tips on organizing your own drag queen storytimes including scheduling, suggested queens, recommended books and more. Special drag queen guests Fay Slift & Fluffy Souffle will discuss what inspired them to run the first drag queen storytime in Toronto in 2016 and what their message is for queer families and their kids, gender non- conforming people and allies.
Rachel Hopwood, Librarian, Children & Youth Services, Brampton Library Think (Your Way) Outside the Box: Creating Escape Boxes as drop-in Teen Programming
Kate Alatsas, Manager, Children & Youth Services, Brampton Library It's never too late! How Brampton Library eliminated children's overdues
Catherine Arthurs, Teen Services & Digital Services Assistant, Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library Welcome to Warp Zone! Engaging Teens through a Retro Gaming Night
Claire Argyropoulos & Teresa Leung, Youth Services Specialist, Toronto Public Library Youth Hubs
Kevin Sylvester, Author/Illustrator Use Humour to Trick Kids into Learning
PIZZA PARTY Kale Caesar with blue cheese and bacon Classic Greek style village salad Choice meat and vegetarian pizzas House-baked cookies assorted soft drinks
All children should be able to walk into a library, classroom, or bookstore and see themselves reflected and their lives reflected. Unfortunately, it is still not the case for many Indigenous children and youth across Canada. With more and more excellent books by First Nations, Métis and Inuit writers and illustrators being published each year, there is a great opportunity to promote the reading and sharing of books by Indigenous authors among Indigenous and non-Indigenous children and youth, their families, educators and community members. This presentation will focus on the diverse literature available for young readers that explores Indigenous experience and expression and will offer a sneak peek at From Sea to Sea: Celebrating Indigenous Picture Booksa project initiated by IBBY Canada in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. From Sea to Sea to Sea is a selection of 100 of the best books by Indigenous authors, ranging from board books to picture books for older readers.This discussion will include a conversation about the development and suggestions for using the collection, and an advanced look at some of the carefully selected Indigenous children’s picture books.
Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis is of Anishinaabe/Ojibway ancestry and proud member of Nipissing First Nation. She is an educator, researcher, artist and conference speaker who has over 15 years of experience supporting the advancement of Indigenous education and literature at all levels. Jenny’s... Read More →
Mary Beth Leatherdale writes, edits, and consults who on books, magazines and digital resources for children and youth. She is the author of Stormy Seas: Stories of Young Boat Refugees, a Silver Birch Award, Honour Book among other honours. Recently, Mary Beth with Lisa Charleyboy... Read More →
At this workshop, you will experience a heightened story-telling experience performed by Briar Boake of the story “Milton’s Secret” by Eckhart Tolle and Robert S. Friedman. Using the lessons in the story and mindfulness techniques students learn how to stay in the moment and cope with fear and anxiety.
The second part of the workshop will sample The T.A.S.A.M. (Tackling Anxiety and Stress through Arts and Mindfulness) program which uses a Creative Arts education approach (storytelling, visual arts, drama and mindful movement), in conjunction with an expert in child development to introduce strategies and tools that will effectively manage the challenges of everyday anxiety and stress for years to come. It is a discussion facilitated by Jennifer Kay a Child and Youth Counsellor and Mental Health advocate, where the participants will be able to take the tips and tools learned in this workshop immediately back to “real world” situations to implement. Topics that will be covered include-
• How to maintain an organized and predictable environment • Ways to be mindful of your own body language and tone and its effect on your environment • How to make transitions easier • Ways to listen when students share their worries or anxieties • Strategies to normalize anxious and worried feelings • Sharing media and resources that help to reduce the stigma of anxiety • Having realistic expectations and adjusting expectations • Communicating with parents and caregivers
Briar Boake is an engaging facilitator and workshop leader. She is a specialist in teaching Yoga and Mindful Awareness to children and holds a degree with high distinction from University of Toronto in Teaching and Learning Second Languages. A professional actor and musical entertainer... Read More →
Jennifer Kay is a Child and Youth Counsellor and mental health advocate who has been working with children and families in Toronto for over a decade both privately and in clinical settings. Her vast experience began working for the Hospital for Sick Children as a Crisis Worker, and... Read More →
In this session you will learn about the province's Middle Years Strategy, its strengths and shortcomings, and what it means for libraries. We will also explore strategies for employing the strategy, and reflect on how our programs and services support the development of middle years children.
Douglas Davey is the Manager of Children’s and Youth Services at the Halton Hills Public Library. Douglas is a frequent presenter on a variety of library-related topics, and is currently an Ontario Public Library Association council member. He has Bachelors degrees in both Art and... Read More →
STEAM programming gone stale? Robots getting rusty? Explore exciting new technology-based program offerings from libraries around Ontario that you can replicate. Not only can you play with the fun tech projects in this petting zoo but you can also get practical advice from the library staff who made them!
Like many others on the autism spectrum, 20-something stand-up comic Michael McCreary has been told by more than a few wellmeaning folks that he doesn’t “look” autistic. But, as he’s quick to point out, autism “looks” different for just about everyone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Diagnosed with ASD at age five, McCreary got hit with the performance bug not much later. During a diffi cult time in junior high, he started journaling, eventually turning his pain into something empowering— and funny. He scored his first stand-up gig at age 14, and hasn’t looked back.
Michael recently published a memoir that breaks down what it’s like to live with autism for readers on and off the spectrum. Candid scenes from his life are broken up with funny visuals and factual asides. Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic is an invaluable and compelling read for young readers with ASD looking for voices to relate to, as well as for readers hoping to broaden their understanding of ASD.
MICHAEL MCCREARY is a stand-up comedian who has performed across North America. He studied at Toronto’s famous Second City Training Centre and uses stand-up to dispel misconceptions about Autism Spectrum Disorder.
