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.
The call for papers is open and the time is now. Find out more here:
TMC8 Call for Papers
We’ve put together a few tips to get you thinking.
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? |
Questions about submissions should be directed to Carol Koechlin (koechlin@sympatico.ca).
TMC8 Planning Committee:
Carol Koechlin, CSL Board and TMC Lead Planner (koechlin@sympatico.ca)
Anita Brooks Kirkland, CSL Chair (anitabk@bythebrooks.ca)
Melanie Mulcaster, CSL Board
Joseph Jeffery, CSL Vice-Chair
Jonelle St. Aubyn, CSL Representative
Wendy Burch Jones OSLA President 2024
Richard Reid, OSLA Super Conference Planner
Kate Johnson-McGregor, TALCO Representative