By Barbara Whiston
On Wednesday March 27, 2024, I, together with another 114 school library workers from across Quebec’s English school system, logged onto Zoom with a fresh coffee in hand and a cat or two nearby and settled in excitedly for the 2024 QSLIN Symposium on the theme of Celebrating Intellectual Freedom.
First, a bit of context. The Quebec School Librarians Network, QSLIN, is a sub-committee of the Directors of English Education Network, DEEN, and both organizations exist to support the pedagogical priorities of Quebec’s English schools by facilitating the sharing of expertise, the development of resources, and the coordination of services. In a province where English is a minority language, and the availability of English language professional support is limited, QSLIN plays a critical role. The annual Symposium represents a precious opportunity for professional development, knowledge sharing, and networking and, as such, is a real highlight of the school year. Registration for library workers in Quebec’s English schools is free of charge, and employers are required to liberate library staff to attend the Symposium.
Now, back to my day with my coffee, cats, and QSLIN.
The day began with a colourful and passionate opening keynote from Barbada, whose drag queen storytimes have met with both delight and protest across the province. Barbada shared the story of her career as a drag performer, detailing how reactions, both positive and negative, fuel her commitment to her work. She even shared some of her favourite storytime titles! Barbada left us all inspired by her persistence and commitment, and determined to do our best to foster a safe inclusive atmosphere for all.
After a break, attendees had two sessions from which to choose. Open Pages, Open Minds: Navigating Freedom of Expression in Canadian Libraries featured Ontario Library Association Executive Director Michelle Arbuckle, CFLA Intellectual Freedom Committee Chair Michael Nyby, and CSL’s own advocate for literacy and intellectual freedom, Anita Brooks Kirkland. Michelle opened the session with a contextual overview and a list of recommended resources. Michael then explored data on the state of book challenges across Canada, and Anita concluded with an exploration of the ground truth in school libraries in Canada.
Simultaneously, Reader’s Advisory Divas and Dudes (RADD) and Pouce Carré presented Book Talks in English and French, highlighting books that share the Symposium’s theme of intellectual freedom.
Following the lunch break, attendees again had two sessions from which to choose. In one, Anti-Racist Pedagogical Consultant Patricia Blackett and Anti-Racist Pedagogical Collaborator Angela Lionetti used picture books to introduce a strategy known as Reading Against the Grain. In the other, librarian Julian Taylor and consultant Caroline Dupuis, both from the English Montreal School Board, addressed the timely question Artificial Intelligence: the Great Evil or Just Misunderstood?
A moving keynote from author and publisher S. Bear Bergman concluded the Symposium on the perfect note. A skilled and captivating storyteller, Bergman’s intimate tone easily overcame distance and technology as he detailed the experience of founding his inclusive micropress, Flamingo Rampant, and recounted powerful anecdotes that brought to life the transformative power of a book in which a reader sees their reality reflected. As he wrapped up his talk, we found ourselves reaching for tissues, and feeling honoured for the roles we are privileged to play in creating school libraries that give voice and sanctuary to all.
Congratulations to the organizers of the 2024 QSLIN Symposium for choosing a highly pertinent and timely theme, and for putting together a varied program that equipped attendees with theoretical context , practical hands-on suggestions and tools, and inspiration. Kudos also to the team for managing another online Zoom event that ensured that library workers from across the province could attend, irrespective of distance or other obstacles. Although it was disappointing that the Symposium featured exactly the same keynote speakers that many of us had heard at the 2023 conference of the Association des bibliothécaires du Québec Library Association (ABQLA), it is also true that both Barbada and S. Bear Bergman are compelling and engaging speakers whose voices and messages are well worth hearing more than once.
Based on this year’s event, school library workers from across English Quebec, and our cats, will have high expectations of the 2025 QSLIN Symposium!
Barbara Whiston’s career in libraries has included public and private high schools in the Montreal area, as well as independent libraries offering specialized services and programs targeting minority and marginalized communities. She currently spends her work days as the Librarian of the Junior School Library at Lower Canada College, where she is developing an expertise in dissuading students from putting their feet up on the couches. An active volunteer at her son’s high school, she has also served in several leadership roles in the Association des bibliothécaires du Québec / Québec Library Association, including President of the Youth and School section and Co-President of the association itself. She lives in Montreal with her son and their (very spoiled) cats.