OLA Library Learning Hub

Welcome to the OLA Library Learning Hub!

ABOUT

This portal is a registration-based system that delivers virtual educational and training content for library and information professionals in all sectors (academic, health, public, school, and special libraries) and to board members and students as well.

HOW TO REGISTER

Explore the learning opportunities. The Sessions section will be visible when content has been programmed.
Click on a session and follow the "Register Here" link to be redirected to the registration form and payment steps.
Once registered, your session(s) will populate within three business days in your portal.

OLA MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the library and information profession. All members receive exclusive discounts on events and webinars. Join today!

CONTACT

For registration and technical support, please email education@accessola.com

Sessions

Day - 01

June

12:00 PM to 01:00 PM

Generative AI and Library Labour: Risks, Rights, and Resilient Futures

Generative artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming knowledge work, and libraries are not immune. While new technologies can bring efficiencies, they also pose profound risks to the library workforce—potentially displacing tasks traditionally performed by librarians, technicians, and staff. This conversation invites participants to explore how AI intersects with library labour, focusing on which roles may be most vulnerable, the ethical stakes of automation, and how collective agreements and labour law may protect—or fail to protect—workers. Together, we will debate whether AI offers meaningful opportunities for innovation or whether the profession faces a future of devaluation and de-skilling. Participants will share their perspectives, surface common concerns, and collaboratively generate strategies to safeguard professional expertise, advocate for ethical practices, and envision more resilient futures. This is not a presentation but a dialogue: attendees’ insights and experiences will shape the direction of the session.

Note: This session was originally offered during OLA Super Conference 2026.

Day - 02

June

12:00 PM to 01:00 PM

Safe, Sound, and Supported: Safety & Staff Well-Being in Small Libraries

Safety and security are ongoing priorities for libraries of all sizes, but small and rural libraries often face unique challenges. With limited staff, budgets, and space, creating a safe environment for both employees and patrons requires practical, scalable solutions. This session will explore common safety concerns in small libraries—including facility design, staff preparedness, handling difficult behaviors, and building community partnerships to support safety. Participants will learn about low-cost strategies, policies, and tools that can be adapted to fit the realities of smaller organizations. We’ll also discuss how to foster a culture of awareness and confidence, so staff feel prepared to respond effectively when situations arise. Whether you are a director, board member, or front-line staff, this session will provide actionable ideas to strengthen safety, security, and peace of mind in your library.

Note: This session was originally offered during OLA Super Conference 2026.

Day - 03

June

12:00 PM to 01:00 PM

More Than Sensory Storytime: Designing Library Services to Better Support Neurodivergent Children

With increasing awareness of neurodiversity, public libraries are intentionally designing library programs and services to support a wide range of sensory needs. In this session you will learn about some of the tools, principles, and approaches the Edmonton Public Library has implemented to make the library more accessible and welcoming for families with neurodivergent children. You will also have the opportunity to share ideas with colleagues and learn what other libraries have tried and what has worked (or hasn’t). Whether you have been running a Sensory Storytime for many years or are just starting to think about how you can support a particular family, join us as we share practical suggestions you can explore or implement to make visiting the library a more positive experience for all. Although the focus will be on young children, many of the ideas discussed can be applied to services for other ages.

Note: This session was originally offered during OLA Super Conference 2026.

Day - 04

June

12:00 PM to 01:00 PM

Crafting Stories, Building Skills: Creative Writing Programming for Adults in Public Libraries

Are you looking for a new, exciting way to drive adult program attendance? How can you engage local writers while providing fun, social opportunities to share a love of books? Creative Writing is in high demand for adult learners, and public libraries have an exciting opportunity to ride this trend. At this session, you’ll learn a formula for programming creative writing classes in libraries that has been used for the massively popular Creative Writing Classes at Vancouver Public Library series. You will discover the core operating principles for running these types of classes and see first-hand how this approach works synergistically with other library services. After getting a practical how-to grounding, you will collaborate in a group, exploring these principles hands-on with specific examples related to incorporating Indigenous knowledge system values in creating welcoming, inclusive learning environments and running these classes with limited (or non-existent) programming budget.

Note: This session was originally offered during OLA Super Conference 2026.

Day - 05

June

12:00 PM to 01:00 PM

Learn AI: Activating GenAI Tools and AI Literacy Programs at Toronto Public Library

In April 2025, Toronto Public Library launched its AI Upskilling Initiative, a large-scale project that provides Torontonians with free access to GenAI tools and AI education programs and events that support skills building, connect residents with experts, and bridge the growing AI divide. TPL team members provide an overview of this transformational project, the first large-scale public library AI initiative of its kind in Canada. Learn about the project outcomes, successes and lessons learned. Hear directly from those in the frontlines about the excitement, concerns, questions and feedback that community members have about AI and how public libraries can shape program and service delivery to inform responsible AI use for its communities.

Note: This session was originally offered during OLA Super Conference 2026.

Speakers

Rebecca Hunt

CEO, Temiskaming Shores Public Library

Crystal Alcock

CEO, Kenora Public Library

Marj Poirier

Board Chair, Kenora Public Library

Andrew Battershill

Librarian, Vancouver Public Library

Cathy Duong

Community Librarian, Toronto Public Library

Fiona O'Connor

Senior Services Specialist, Digital Literacy Initiatives, Toronto Public Library

Yoojin Kwon

Senior Services Specialist, Toronto Public Library

Ab Velasco

Manager, Innovation (AI Services), Toronto Public Library

Elaine Jones

Manager, Youth Services, Edmonton Public Library

Stephen Spong

FAQS

The OLA Library Learning Hub is a pilot project. It is a registration-based system that delivers virtual educational and training content for library and information professionals in all sectors: academic, health, public, school, and special libraries; as well as board members and students.

To view the offerings, click on the Sessions tab located at the top of the website. If the section is hidden, that means programming is currently closed.

View the learning offerings when the sessions are added to this main page and click on the desired session. Then click the “Register here” link in that session to navigate to its registration page. Once registered, your portal will update within 3 business days to reflect the session listings that you are enrolled in. If you do not see the Sessions section, that means programming is not currently available.

The information you provide upon registration will only be used to establish you as an attendee and to communicate session updates and news.

Please note: please do not unsubscribe from "education@accessola.com" emails, so that you do not miss connection instructions or other email updates.

Yes, the vFairs platform is compatible with any computer or mobile device and any browser.

Sessions are generally live-streamed on a specified date via Zoom, and then made available on-demand in the hub portal within 48 business hours (some pre-recorded exceptions may apply). On-demand access is available until August 31st, 2026.

When the programming season begins you will see a “Login” button at the top right of the screen. Log in using the email you used to register for the session - no password required!

You will receive an email reminder from education@accessola.com with a connection instructions email a few days prior to your session’s livestream.

You can interact with speakers and other attendees during the live streamed time-slot via Zoom chat. However, there is no chat available for on-demand access.

OLA's Code of Conduct policy applies to all event attendees, sponsors and speakers. Please review the document at this link.

Visit the OLA website today! Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the library and information profession, and there are different types to choose from. Membership is annual from the month in which it is first taken out. All members are extended voting rights, the right to hold office, the right to participate on committees and receive exclusive discounts on events, programs, publications and related services as announced. Membership is non-refundable and non-transferable.

If you have questions, please email membership@accessola.com