By the TMC9 Planning Committee
Canadian School Libraries (CSL) is pleased to announce that the ninth biennial TMC Symposium (TMC9) will take place in Edmonton, Alberta on Friday February 26 and Saturday February 27, 2027. This will be two full days of learning on both the Friday and Saturday. The symposium is presented in partnership with . Full information regarding rates and registration will be available on the TMC website at a later date.
What is TMC?
Treasure Mountain Canada is a participatory learning experience designed to bring researchers and practitioners together to discuss and debate current Canadian research and scholarly writing which has an impact on the role of school libraries vis-à-vis educational strategy and transformation. Papers and work from previous TMC experiences are archived for viewing and study in the Canadian School Libraries Research Archive.
TMC History: Transforming Research to Action
TMC1 – The first Treasure Mountain Canada, held in Edmonton in 2010, focused on Transforming Canadian School Libraries to Meet the Needs of 21st Century Learners.
TMC2 – In Ottawa 2012, the focus became Learning for the Future: Working Towards Revised National Standards for School Libraries in Canada.
TMC3 – In Victoria 2014, the focus was the launch of Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada.
TMC4 – In Toronto 2016, in partnership with the Ontario Library Association (OLA) and Ontario School Library Association (OSLA), the symposium focused on deeper implementation of Leading Learning, and evidence that the standards are making an impact on teaching and learning in Canada. Discussions around the future of a national school library voice led to a call for action to create a new national presence for school libraries in Canada, thus fostering the beginnings of CSL.
TMC5 – In Winnipeg 2017, in partnership with Manitoba School Library Association (MSLA) SAGE Conference the theme was Culturally Relevant and Responsive School Library Learning Commons. The work of TMC5 led to a CSL project to help schools build Culturally Relevant and Responsive School Library Learning Commons.
TMC6 – In Toronto 2020, the symposium was developed in partnership with the Ontario Library Association (OLA), the OLA Super Conference, the Ontario School Library Association (OSLA) and The Association of Library Consultants and Coordinators of Ontario (TALCO). The theme of Participatory Learning in the Library Learning Commons kick-started discussions around diversity audits and building inclusive collections. This work culminated in the creation of the CSL Collection Diversity Toolkit.
TMC7 – In New Westminster British Columbia in partnership with British Columbia Teacher-Librarians’ Association (BCTLA), with the theme, Post-Pandemic Library Learning Commons: From Crisis to Invention. The TMC7 call to action, the review and updating of Leading Learning Standards of Practice themes, has been completed. An unexpected spin-off from the update was the need to address foundational guidelines for successful school libraries. Consequently, Canadian School Libraries has developed and published a new document, Foundations for School Library Learning Commons in Canada: A Framework for Success. Work to develop a new resource to support Digital and Media Literacy in the LLC is in process.
TMC8 – In Toronto 2025, the symposium was again developed in partnership with the Ontario Library Association (OLA), the OLA Super Conference, the Ontario School Library Association (OSLA) and The Association of Library Consultants and Coordinators of Ontario (TALCO). The theme of Strengthening Foundations for School Library Learning Commons in Canada examined the Foundations for School Library Learning Commons in Canada: A Framework for Success as well as the first post-pandemic results of the Dr. Curry Lance’s SLIDE project.
Why should you participate in TMC9?
We recognize the outstanding contributions so many of you are making to teaching and learning in Canada. Your work needs to be recognized by the greater education community – and documented, so that it can become part of the debate. The most compelling innovations in K-12 Libraries come from you, the professionals in the schools. TMC offers you a great opportunity to explore your own practice more deeply, answering key questions through action research, and telling the story so that others can benefit from your experience. CSL is here to support the process with targeted resources, including the CSL Research Toolkit, which removes the intimidation factor from the idea of conducting research!
What is the focus of TMC9 Call for Papers?
In a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence we have decided that finding ourselves down the yellow brick road, in addition to dissecting the Scarecrow for to understand his brain, we need to examine the Tin Man’s heart too.
Presenting the TMC9 Theme: Human-centredness in school library learning commons
How might you apply a sub-theme to focus your research?
| TMC9 Sub-Themes | Possible Topics |
|---|---|
| Community in the SLLC | E-sports Girls Who Game Library clubs Leadership in the library |
| Allyship in the SLLC | Being a safe, brave space Combatting book bans Connecting outside of school libraries |
| Critical literacies in the SLLC | Examining the various literacies that impact our ability to engage positively in society Exploring how the Digital Media Literacy Toolbox can support positive digital literacy for students |
| Role of AI in human-centered approaches | |
| Role of the SLLC in the modern world | The SLLC and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Mental Health and the SLLC Social Justice and the SLLC |
| Proactivity in the SLLC | Designing robust anti-censorship policies Setting up anti-racist activities in the SLLC |
| Designing participatory learning for agency and change |
Where can you find more help?
CSL Research Archive
CSL Research Toolkit
How can you participate in TMC9?
We need everyone’s voice at the table. There are many ways you can contribute your thoughts, ideas and questions as we work together to how human-centeredness can drive the school library learning commons.
- Contribute a paper
- Follow and participate in the TMCanada Blog in the weeks leading up to the symposium
- Study and respond to TMC9 papers
- Share more ideas on Twitter and tag #TMCanada2027
- Register for the symposium and add your voice in person (Watch for registration details)
TMC9 Call for Papers
TMC9 Planning Committee: Melanie Mulcaster, CSL Vice-Chair, Joseph Jeffery, CSL Chair, Diana Maliszewski, CSL Board, Harold Semenuk, CSL Board, Jennifer Casa-Todd, CSL Board, Jonelle St. Aubyn, CSL Representative, Katherine Schock AB representative