Canadian Librarianship News Updates: 2025
In response to the decision by Meta, the parent company for Facebook and Instagram, to end news availability on its platforms in Canada, this page has been created to ensure we can continue to share news articles on topics and issues of interest to the Canadian librarianship community.
We will be posting links to articles to this page and sharing this page to our groups on Facebook.
To suggest additions or updates to this page, e-mail info@librarianship.ca
News articles presented on this page reflect media coverage as it appears, and are not a statement on the assessment of the issues, quotes or tone published by those outlets.
2023-2024 | 2025
February 10, 2025
Cape Breton Regional Library to mark 75th anniversary in 2025
In 1950, the Cape Breton Regional Library was formed with six branches: Sydney, Glace Bay, Dominion, Louisbourg, North Sydney and New Waterford.
New library branch coming to revitalized community centre in Brampton
Plans to breathe new life into an old community centre include the addition of a new library branch in Brampton.
White nationalist books planted in little free libraries across Ottawa
Several copies of a book promoting white nationalist ideology have been placed in community-run library boxes in neighbourhoods across the city, prompting a police investigation.
February 8, 2025
Group asks County of St. Paul for more transparency on library board
“Our group simply does not want an adult entertainer performing for children at a public venue that is publicly funded by the County ratepayers.”
Preeceville library returns home with grand re-opening celebration
The Parkland Regional Library Preeceville branch has undergone many changes over the years, including relocating to different buildings within the Town of Preeceville. On Jan. 28, the library was officially welcomed back to the Town of Preeceville administrative building, where it had previously been housed.
‘Safe place’: Orillia library recognized for social worker initiative
‘Security guards can’t do the social work that a human services co-ordinator can do,’ says library CEO of program recognized at Ontario Library Association awards gala
February 7, 2025
B.C. elementary teacher librarian suspended for ‘sexually suggestive’ social media accounts
A North Vancouver elementary teacher librarian has been suspended for an additional month for inappropriate conduct that included posting sexually explicit content on social media and allowing students to follow his accounts, according to the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation.
Seine River School Division prepares for Taché Library relocation
The Seine River School Division has been notified that the Taché Library will be moving out of its current location inside Lorette Collegiate.
Some Canadian politicians and influencers, inspired by an American-born movement, are trying to roll back 2SLGBTQ+ rights in Canada — one book at a time.
The shadow war on Canadian libraries over 2SLGBTQ+ books
As Canada sees growing challenges to books about sex ed, gender identity and gay themes, CBC’s The Fifth Estate uncovers how activists have declared a shadow war on local libraries.
Union objects to plan to replace community hub at downtown Winnipeg library
The union that represents the majority of City of Winnipeg workers has threatened legal action over a city decision to discontinue funding to a downtown information and service hub in the Millennium Library and replace it with another service provider.
Voting on the library’s future
The Fifth Estate obtained a video of a library board meeting in Valleyview, Alta., where town-selected board members voted to close the town’s library and reopen it in a Northern Gateway Public Schools complex when it is built.
‘What’s your opinion on libraries?’
The Fifth Estate co-host Mark Kelley asks Take Back Alberta founder David Parker about libraries and the grassroots movement he started.
February 6, 2025
B.C. library first to have braille printer available for public use
Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Surrey campus library is among the first in Canada to have a braille printer available for school and community use.
Lincoln Pelham Public Library wins award
Accreditation process involved a rigorous self-assessment of 190 elements covering library operations, facilities, and policies
Project manager for Guelph’s new library was fired; now he’s suing them for $200K
Lawsuit seeks $197,000 from Guelph Public Library, including $50,000 for ‘moral damages’
February 5, 2025
Inside Vancouver Library’s Ban on Pro-Palestinian Symbols
The library’s policies say employees can’t wear political symbols. Some staff say the rules are selectively applied.
Regina Public Library seeking increased budget to cover rising costs, eventual new downtown facility
Leaders at the Regina Public Library say they need more money to cover increasing operating costs and a future new central location.
February 4, 2025
Local library technicians honoured at awards gala
Sherri Bennewies and Lorraine Gordon were recognized for their groundbreaking work in updating outdated Indigenous and LGBTQ+ subject headings in the library catalogue
Reshuffling library reserve will cost taxpayers in the end
$150,000 in initial funding also bookmarked for new branch in northwest Barrie, which deputy mayor says shows council isn’t ‘anti-library’
Was the $49M makeover of Hazel McCallion Central Library in Mississauga worth it?
It’s been just over a year since the renovated Hazel McCallion Central Library reopened and while many love the new look, others give it a thumbs down
February 3, 2025
City dough flows for new library branch in northwest Barrie
‘We’re committed to ensuring library services are accessible to all residents,’ says Barrie Public Library CEO Lauren Jessop
February 2, 2025
Plans for new library board continue in The Nation
The Nation Municipality is continuing with plans to reform public library governance and reopen library branches in St-Isidore, Limoges, and St-Albert.
January 31, 2025
Birding backpacks fly off shelves at Regina library
Backpacks with binoculars and bird guides have been a popular item at Regina Public Library branches, according to RPL’s director of collections.
‘Deeply honoured’: Springwater library chair wins provincial award
Adrian Graham received James Bain Medallion from Ontario Public Library Association at gala award ceremony last night in Toronto
Hamilton library aims to turn page on aging Bookmobiles
Retirement is on the horizon for Hamilton’s two aging Bookmobiles as the public library aims to put modern models on the road.
Montreal seeks Quebec’s support with language laws after English book club rejected
The City of Montreal says it needs more guidance from the Quebec government in applying the province’s language laws after a local library refused to offer space for an English-language book club.
January 30, 2025
An ambitious project to repurpose the former Paris Old Town Hall into a community hub and the new main branch for the County of Brant Public Library will not go forward as planned.
Carnegie libraries in Ontario still play a vital role in communities
Many local libraries across the country, and especially in Ontario, were built due to the generosity of a single man.
January 29, 2025
Councillor Peter Cuddy removed from library board after he missed too many meetings
Councillor Peter Cuddy isn’t saying why he missed three consecutive meetings of the London Public Library (LPL) Board— resulting in his removal from the council-appointed position.
Library got it wrong: Language law does not apply to book club, Roberge says
The provincial language minister and the city of Montreal now say a municipal library erred when it refused space to an English-language book club citing Quebec’s new language law.
January 28, 2025
Chatham-Kent library eliminating overdue fines on adult reading materials
Saturday will mark the end of overdue fines being levied on adult reading materials borrowed from the Chatham-Kent Public Library.
Montreal public library says it can’t host English book club, citing Quebec’s new language law
Montreal writer Christopher DiRaddo says he’s disappointed after a municipal library told him he’s not allowed to hold his monthly book club there because it would violate Quebec’s new language law.
Longueuil fermera une de ses bibliothèques
La bibliothèque municipale Fatima, située dans l’école Marie-Victorin-de-L’Herbier, fermera ses portes en juin, car le Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin (CSSMV) a exprimé à la Ville de Longueuil son souhait de récupérer le local.
January 27, 2025
Budget amendments to see downtown safety group move into Millennium Library
The City of Winnipeg’s approved budget amendments will offer a saving grace for the former Community Connections space at the Millennium Library.
January 26, 2025
He chose a book there as a 2-year-old. Now he helps give other Toronto kids a love of reading
The Children’s Book Bank works year-round to ensure children and teens in underserviced neighbourhoods have access to free books.
Not enough traffic — or speed — on Alberta’s internet ‘highway,’ critics complain
With about $1 billion invested over a quarter century in the Alberta SuperNet, the province still has some of the worst rural broadband availability in Canada.
January 24, 2025
Lethbridge launches pop-up library pilot project on northside
The Lethbridge Public Library is looking to expand its services to the wider community with the help of a new pop-up library pilot project. The new BookStop will see a temporary pop-up library at the Labour Club Ice Centre on the northside.
January 23, 2025
Councillors say no to additional staffing at Norfolk County Public Library
A request from the Norfolk County Public Library to hire four new staff members failed to get approval from the county’s budget committee.
Incidents at Collingwood library up in 2024, but new chapter begins
Library adds a full-time social worker starting in March thanks to grant from County of Simcoe
Mayor Olivia Chow is promising funding to improve Toronto’s libraries
Nearly $7 million is being allocated to expand all library hours to seven days a week by 2026.
Peer-support workers are helping patrons of Hamilton Public Library who need help
A sign of the changing roles of libraries in Ontario in light of the mental health crisis, Hamilton Public Library recently welcomed four new Peer Support Workers as they began their work of helping Members with mental illness and addiction struggles.
January 22, 2025
BookStop pop-up library running at Labor Club Ice Centre
The City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Public Library have teamed up to create a temporary pop-up library. BookStop will be up and running at the Labor Club Ice Centre until mid-April. Library members can use the BookStop to pick up holds, browse and check books out from a small library and drop off returns.
City Council approves municipal status for Lloydminster Public Library
Lloydminster City Council has approved the transition of the Lloydminster Public Library into a municipal library under the Saskatchewan Public Libraries Act.
Connecting Communities – Norfolk Library CEO hits the road
The Norfolk County Public Library (NCPL) has announced an exciting new program, The Library Roadshow with the CEO. This initiative offers community members a chance to meet Julie Kent, NCPL’s CEO, for coffee and conversations at Library branches across Norfolk.
La future bibliothèque d’Embrun reçoit 70 000 $ pour un espace jeunesse grâce à la Fondation Valoris
La Bibliothèque publique du canton de Russell a annoncé un partenariat avec la Fondation Valoris pour améliorer les services destinés aux jeunes locaux. La Fondation contribue à hauteur de 70 000 $ pour la création d’un espace dédié aux jeunes dans la future succursale de la bibliothèque d’Embrun.
Lloydminster Library continues work to municipal status
The City of Lloydminster has approved the transition of the Lloydminster Public Library into a municipal library under the Saskatchewan Public Libraries Act.
Milestone year for Wellington County Library highlighted by over one million circulated items
Wellington County Library had more than 447,000 visitors to its fourteen branches in 2024, and circulated over a million items.
Near North District School Board’s library services win provincial award
‘This particular award is usually given to an individual, and it was given to the entire library team. It’s a huge accolade,’ Director of Education Craig Myles said
January 21, 2025
Children’s area set for $250K expansion at Innisfil’s Lakeshore library
‘I find it to be a really exciting project,’ says library CEO. ‘There’s been such a change in our community; we have such a growing demographic of children and families’
Lambton County Library adds tool kits to its lending collection
Lambton County Library has introduced tool kits to its growing collection of borrowable items, joining fishing poles, telescopes, and sports kits as resources available for residents to borrow free of charge.
Vancouver Public Library defends policy that prevents staff from wearing Palestinian symbols
The head of the Vancouver Public Library is defending a policy that dictates what symbols its roughly 800 staff can wear while at work, amid concerns from employees that the rules unfairly single out symbols that show support for Palestinians.
January 20, 2025
Mount Allison construction, renovation projects behind schedule, will cost $10M more
Library renovation, construction of new multi-sports facility, addition of parking lot all part of 5-year plan
Okotoks Library announces ambitious new plan of service
The 2025-2029 strategic plan aims to be a bold step forward in meeting the evolving needs of library users.
Powassan library continues push for wage parity for its workers
Library board submits 2025 proposed budget early and hopes town council will find money to approve it.
January 18, 2025
Ajax library is busier than ever. Here’s why and a list of 6 popular items
The Ajax Public Library has never had more visitors, causing all three branches to open two hours earlier on Sundays.
New technology at Regina Public Library helps those with hearing, visual impairments
The Regina Public Library (RPL) are among the first of their kind in Canada to offer two navigational systems for those with hearing loss or visual impairments.
January 17, 2025
Champlain Library fully accredited
The Champlain Library in Vankleek Hill has once again been officially reaccredited!
Increased cost of storing city archives worth it: mayor
The price tag to restore a vacant heritage building to house irreplaceable City of Winnipeg archives has jumped by $6.6 million.
Sault library manager heads to Simcoe County
A Sault Ste. Marie Public Library manager is the new CEO of a library in Simcoe County. Elise Schofield begins her new role with Ramara Township Public Library on Feb. 3.
Talks sought on future of Lambton County’s Florence library
Lambton County Library officials want to discuss the future of one of the system’s smallest branches.
January 16, 2025
Incoming Ramara library CEO ‘excited’ to take on new role
‘It is particularly fulfilling for me to return to my rural roots,’ says Elise Schofield, who is making move from Sault Ste. Marie
Library seeks ‘small increase’ in city budget to sustain service levels
‘The 2025 budget reflects a careful balance between meeting rising community needs and managing costs,’ Barrie Public Library board trustee says during presentation to council last night
Milton library celebrating 170th anniversary
There has been a library in town since 1855, which means the institution has, in one form or another, been serving the community for 170 years.
January 15, 2025
Chief librarian Colleen Lipp said she will be setting up a meeting with the town’s finance division to talk about what this reserve fund will look like.
January 14, 2025
Library branch in Letitia Heights area to get thorough read from council
‘This model does work, especially to fill gaps in underserved and fully established areas of the city,’ says Barrie Public Library CEO
January 13, 2025
Jake Epp Library combats budget issues with new operating hours
Recent changes, including reduced hours and budget constraints, have sparked concerns among residents, but board members, staff, and city officials are working toward solutions to ensure the library continues to thrive.
Rise in violent incidents taking toll on understaffed Victoria libraries
Violent and threatening disturbances are on the rise at Greater Victoria libraries at a time when the library system is facing critical staff shortages — a combination of challenges union officials warn are taking a toll on staff and patrons.
January 12, 2025
Formed in 1965, here’s how the local library stays relevant after 60 years of social change
“Six decades of books, brilliance, and community connections.”
January 5, 2025
P.E.I. libraries ‘definitely’ saw an increase in usage in 2024
More than 630,000 times in 2024, Prince Edward Islanders borrowed something from the province’s public library service — and books were far from the only choice.
January 3, 2025
Live in Richmond Hill, but not near a public library? The library in 2025 may move itself closer to you. Two On the Go “Library Express Kiosks” are soon to take up residence in city neighbourhoods without a branch library of their own.
Saskatoon Public Library CEO excited about new central branch
With the city’s new central library expected to be completed in 2027, Saskatoon Public Library’s new CEO says it’s an exciting time for the organization.
Temporary manager of communications hired at PG Public Library
Larissa Clotildes has been hired as the temporary manager of communications and engagement at the Prince George Public Library(PGPL).
Windsor’s public library system is standardizing its branch hours starting Sunday
The Windsor Public Library system is expanding its service and taking the “guesswork” out of its operating hours. Starting on Jan. 5, nine branches will open their doors seven days a week — with hours of operation being standardized across the board.
January 2, 2025
Number of digital items borrowed at London libraries hit 1M in 2024
Borrowers set a new record for the number of digital items (ebooks, audiobooks and magazines) they checked out from the London Public Library, surpassing the one-million mark in 2024.
January 1, 2025
Meet the new head of Parliament’s library, the most exclusive book club in Canada
Christine Ivory and her staff sift through a sea of misinformation to get MPs and Senators the information they need to do their jobs
2023-2024 | 2025