By the TMC8 Planning Committee
Canadian School Libraries (CSL) is pleased to announce that the eighth biennial TMC Symposium (TMC8) will take place in Toronto, Ontario on Friday January 31 and Saturday February 1, 2025. The symposium is presented in partnership with the Ontario Library Association (OLA), Ontario School Library Association (OSLA), and The Association of Library Consultants of Ontario (TALCO). Full information regarding rates and registration will be available on the TMC website.
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.
Why should you participate in TMC8?
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 TMC8 Call for Papers?
CSL recently published a new document, Foundations for School Library Learning Commons in Canada: A Framework for Success. This guideline establishes strong policy, robust funding, and a commitment to equity of access as foundations for the LLC and the successful implementation of CSL standards of practice document, Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada. We are inviting you to study the new support document, explore the foundations and frameworks, and considering your own practice, decide on a sub-theme you would like to focus on for your own research. We suggest either teacher action research and/or academic research related to the theme and strands.
TMC8 Theme: Foundations for School Library Learning Commons in Canada: A Framework for Success
NOTE: In your research plan to explore your focused sub-theme issue through the lenses of strong policy, robust funding and equity of access.
How might you apply a sub-theme to focus your research?
| TMC8 Sub-Themes | Possible Topics | Focus Questions to Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Physical and Virtual LLC Spaces | Differentiated Learning Spaces Participatory Learning Virtual Participatory Learning Spaces | How might we transform LLC physical spaces to drive participatory learning? How might we work towards a school-wide culture of participatory learning? How might we assist schools with virtual participatory spaces for student portfolios and ongoing learning? How might we encourage participatory learning outside the timetable? |
| Technological Infrastructures | BYOD Special Needs Supporting Communication and Creativity | How might technology and network infrastructure support flexible learning, both independent and collaborative, in the LLC? How might we use technology for participatory learning? How might we ensure a balance between protecting student data (privacy) and the need to offer apps that are familiar? How might we balance technological security needs and apps that need permissions to read student files in order to work? (e.g. Text to Speech) How might we design learning opportunities that can use technology to enhance communication for students who need it? |
| Human Resources | Staffing Models Collaboration Community Partnerships | How might we work together with teachers to maximize the potential of the LLC for teaching and learning? How might we support professional development within families of schools? Districts? Beyond? How might we provide mentorship in an interconnected world? |
| Accessibility | Universal Design for Learning Audiobooks/eBooks Special Needs Learners | How might we apply universal design in the LLC? How might we bring audiobooks/eBooks into libraries in meaningful ways? How might we utilize LLC resources, technologies and spaces to deliver and support learning for all? |
| Ethical Standards | Freedom to Read Collection Audits LLC Volunteers Protecting Privacy | How might we evaluate resources and understand how our biases affect our viewpoint? How might we ensure that library volunteers are aware of and abide by ethical standards? How might we ensure that collection management and circulation routines do not infringe on equity of access? How might we protect student privacy and confidentiality of records, supporting their freedom to read and explore ideas? |
| LLC Management | Flexible Scheduling Collection Development and Management Circulation Routines and Expectations | How might we build flexible time into a schedule? How might we manage flexibility within an inflexible schedule? How might we manage the collection to maximize appeal and usefulness? How might we ensure that routines for managing overdues and lost items do not infringe on equity of access? How might we ensure that access to the virtual library and licensed online databases is as barrier-free as possible, from school and from home? |
| A Culture of Growth | Approaches to Research and Inquiry Technology for Learning Independent Reading Collaborative Learning Supporting Student Growth | How might we ensure the emotional, physical, mental and academic safety of students within the LLC? How might students use assessment and metacognitive strategies in the LLC to improve their learning? How might we design learning experiences that offer students real-world relevance? |
| Accountability | Documenting Learning Cycle of Accountability Marketing and Advocacy Patron Accountability | How might we help students and staff know what learning is going on in our space and how they can get involved? How might we design for engagement? How might we ‘sell’ the Library within your school? To staff? To Students? To administrators? How might we help students/patrons hold us accountable to provide a great LLC? |
Where can you find more help?
CSL Research Archive
CSL Research Toolkit
TMC8 Resources to Get you Thinking
How can you participate in TMC8?
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 explore Foundations for School Library Learning Commons in Canada: A Framework for Success
- Contribute a paper
- Follow and participate in the TMCanada Blog in the weeks leading up to the symposium
- Study and respond to TMC8 papers
- Share more ideas on Twitter and tag #TMCanada2025
- Attend the Ontario Library Association Super Conference conference, January 29 to February 1, 2025
- Register for the symposium and add your voice in person (Watch for registration details)
TMC8 Call for Papers
TMC8 Planning Committee: Carol Koechlin, CSL Board and TMC Co-Founder, Anita Brooks Kirkland, CSL Chair, Melanie Mulcaster, CSL Board, Joseph Jeffery, CSL Vice-Chair, Jonelle St. Aubyn, CSL Representative, OSLA Representative TBD, Kate Johnson-McGregor, TALCO Representative.