Library Land Loves

Library professionals are passionate about a lot of things. Be it the pop culture they consume or the databases that drive their libraries, Library Land Loves A Lot!

Library Land Loves is a education podcast hosted by Ontario Library Association, with 95 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Ontario Library Association hosts Library Land Loves, a education show with 95 episodes published.

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  Episode #2

  Social Connection with Pete Bombaci

  Sep 29, 202637 minS8

  What happens when we take a moment to connect with someone new? In this episode of Library Land Loves , Michelle Arbuckle sits down with Pete Bombaci, founder of GenWell, Canada's national social health movement dedicated to reducing loneliness and strengthening human connection. Together, they explore why social connection is essential to our well-being, how simple conversations can transform communities, and what inspired Pete to launch a movement focused on bringing people together. From the power of talking to strangers to the role libraries can play in fostering belonging, Pete shares practical ideas, inspiring stories, and a compelling vision for creating stronger, more connected communities. Michelle also digs into what makes Pete such an effective advocate, uncovering lessons in storytelling, authenticity, and speaking with purpose. Whether you're a library worker, community builder, or simply someone looking to deepen your connections, this conversation offers thoughtful insights and a timely reminder that meaningful change often begins with a simple hello. ******* For more information about our new presenting sponsor, visit CVSMidWestTape.ca or HooplaDigital.com Learn about GenWell’s mission, team, and partners, and read some frequently asked questions to understand why they do what they do - visit genwell.ca or donate today ! Talk to a Stranger Week is held annually in November and intends to educate and empower Canadians to build stronger connections and communities through the simple power of talking to strangers. Learn more at talktoastrangerweek.org Email Pete – I mean, he basically told you to – pete@genwellproject.org ******* You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag. Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau. Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠education@accessola.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠communications@accessola.com⁠⁠⁠

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  Episode #1

  Advocating for Libraries: Municipal Election Talk with FOPL’s Dina Stevens

  Sep 15, 202628 minS8

  We’re kicking season 8 off with an important topic: the role public libraries play during municipal elections. The date is probably already embedded in your mind, but elections in Ontario are set for Monday, October 26 and throughout October BC, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island. So today we're talking about how we talk about libraries during a municipal election season. How we can be loud for libraries right now. Because the municipality is an important decision maker when it comes to library funding and oversight – and it’s imperative that those decision makers understand the important role that libraries play in their communities. We are joined for this episode by Dina Stevens, Executive Director of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) ******* For more information about our new presenting sponsor, visit CVSMidWestTape.ca or HooplaDigital.com https://fopl.ca/ - FOPL is the provincial voice of Ontario's public libraries, advancing advocacy, collaboration, and sector leadership to strengthen library services. Ontario’s Municipal Elections - https://www.amo.on.ca/about-us/municipal-101/municipal-elections City of Toronto elections info - https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/ ******* You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag. Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau. Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠education@accessola.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠communications@accessola.com⁠⁠⁠

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  Episode #20

  Reading is an Essential Service

  Jul 7, 202643 minS7

  As we close out this season of Library Land Loves , Michelle sits down with Brian Bannon, Chief Librarian of the New York Public Library to come back to one of the most essential (and sometimes overlooked) parts of library work: reading. Michelle and Brian explore how libraries can reconnect with reading in ways that feel fresh, inclusive, and relevant, and discuss: Why we may have unintentionally quieted our message about reading The role of choice, format, and access (yes—this includes audiobooks!) How to help people build a reader identity The role reading plays in empathy, wellbeing, and civic life What a bold, continent-wide reading initiative could look like Books mentioned in this episode: Reader Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World – Maryanne Wolf Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain – Maryanne Wolf City We Became – N.K. Jemisin Yesteryear All of the Rachel Reid books (shout out Canada!) New York Public Library OLA is a charitable and non-profit organization (107798159RR0001) that accepts donations for several funds. Each fund supports the library and information sector uniquely; from supporting OLA programs to getting books into the hands of children across Ontario, to mentorship, and more: Example: I Read Canadian Fund

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  Episode #19

  Getting Ready for Summer

  Jun 23, 202648 minS7

  Summer is just around the corner, and libraries are getting ready—not just with programs and schedules, but with fresh ideas, creativity, and a focus on connecting with their communities in new ways. In this episode, we chat with libraries from across Ontario to explore how they’re reimagining summer programming. From outdoor adventures to global celebrations and imaginative kids’ experiences, these libraries are thinking beyond the walls and embracing what makes summer special. Whether you’re planning programs or just looking for inspiration, this episode is a reminder to experiment, collaborate, and try something a little unexpected. Georgian Bay Public Library Waterloo Public Library TPL’s Summer Wonder program Stratford Public Library – Summer at the Library FIFA World Cup 26 Toronto Community Activation Toolkit 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag. Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau. Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠education@accessola.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠communications@accessola.com⁠⁠⁠

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #18

  Spring Gathering

  Jun 10, 202637 minS7

  In this episode of Library Land Loves , we’re taking you inside the Spring Gathering—a powerful and meaningful event that brings together members of the First Nations Public Library (FNPL) community from across Ontario. Through conversations with organizers and attendees, we explore the purpose behind the gathering, the importance of the FNPL network, and what makes this space so unique. You’ll hear directly from participants about why they attend, what they take away, and how this gathering supports their work and strengthens their communities. Whether you’ve experienced the Spring Gathering firsthand or are learning about it for the first time, this episode offers a glimpse into the relationships, reflections, and values that shape this important community. To learn more about the Spring Gathering and the work of First Nations Public Libraries, visit: First Nations Public Library community resources Ontario Library Association – Indigenous Community of Practice 📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . ⭐️ Keep up to date with what your OLA besties are doing via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . ******* This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag. Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau. Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod. For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠education@accessola.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠communications@accessola.com⁠⁠

  ListenShow Notes

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