Carpeting replacement in the Library

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Monique Flaccavento

We are very excited to announce that the carpeting on the Ground Floor of the OISE Library will be replaced over the holidays. Carpet removal is scheduled to begin at 5pm Tuesday December 20th and will be completed before we reopen January 2nd.

In preparation for this work, the computers, video screen magnifier, and printer on the Ground Floor of the Library will be unavailable Tues. Dec. 20th. OISE students, staff, and faculty will be able to borrow a laptop at the Service Desk, use one of the 2nd or 3rd floor library computers, or visit the computer labs on the 3rd floor of the OISE building. Printing will be available in the 3rd floor computer labs.

The ground floor computers, printer, and video screen magnifier are scheduled to be re-installed by Education Commons staff January 2nd and 3rd.

We apologize for any inconvenience this will cause. If you have any questions, please contact Monique Flaccavento, Acting Director, OISE Library (monique.flaccavento@utoronto.ca).

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Celebrating Aboriginal Education Month

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Lily Yuxi Ren

November 1st marks the beginning of Aboriginal Education Month in acknowledging the rights of Canada’s Indigenous peoples as the original peoples of this land. The lobby display on the ground floor of the OISE building features a wide selection of Aboriginal education resources for community members, educators, and policy makers to deepen knowledge and understanding of Indigenous perspectives in supporting student success and well-being. This occasion celebrates the history of Turtle Island focusing Indigenous peoples to increase knowledge and understanding of the cultures, histories, experiences, and achievements of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada. Throughout November, there are several significant dates for Aboriginal peoples, including honouring Indigenous Veterans on Remembrance Day and Louis Riel Day on the 16th. Aboriginal education for all Canadians explores the rich histories and contemporary Aboriginal realities to create more equitable and inclusive spaces in the classroom and workplace.

The display features curriculum resources for educators and classroom use. You can find teachers guides, lesson plans, and textbooks including Teacher’s guide: for the series Tales from Big Spirit, Aboriginal history and realities in Canada: grades 1-8 teachers’ resource Junior, Aboriginal beliefs, values, and aspirations, and Aboriginal peoples in Canada. In the children’s literature collection, dual-language or bilingual books are useful tools for students to learn a new language where an Indigenous language and English are featured side by side. Selected Indigenous language books include languages in Michif (Li minoush – Thomas and his cat), Cree (Niwechihaw – I help), Mi’kmaq (Nkij’inen teluet : kina’matnewe’l telimuksi’ki we’wkl atukwaqnn kisi amalwi’kmi’tij Gerald Gloade – Our grandmothers’ words : traditional), Inuktitut (Trip to the moon), and Mohawk (Í:iah ónhka sénha teieio’tenhserí:io tsi ní:ioht ne Warisó:se – Nobody can do it better than Warisó:se). Also on display are historical biographies and graphic novels that address Indigenous histories, contributions, sacrifices, and achievements including The ballad of Nancy April: Shawnadithit, The peacemaker: Thanadelthur, The rebel: Gabriel Dumont, and The pact.

In addition, the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action report in June 2015 highlights the findings and recommendations of a seven-year process on the extensive research and testimony from thousands of survivors of Canada’s Indian residential schools. In recognizing that education is foundational to the process of reconciliation as mentioned in the report, there are various reports and commissioned studies for educators and policy makers to expand cross-cultural understandings: Urban Aboriginal peoples study: main report, Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit education policy framework: delivering quality education to Aboriginal students in Ontario’s provincially funded schools, Family is the focus, and A solid foundation: second progress report on the implementation of the Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework: aboriginal perspectives bring the curriculum to life.

Interested in borrowing any of the titles mentioned? Please visit the Circulation Desk on the ground floor of the OISE Library to request for items in the lobby display.

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Food for Fines

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Monique Flaccavento

food-for-fines

From November 21–25 we will waive $2 of library fines in exchange for a non-perishable food item (maximum $20 waived). Drop off hours at the OISE Library are 9AM-6PM (Monday-Thurs) and 9AM-4PM (Friday).

Don’t have any fines? You can still donate!

Most needed items include: baby food, canned fruits, canned fish, plain beans (no sauce), canned vegetables, juice boxes salad dressings and condiments.

The following libraries will waive fines for participating libraries and will collect food:

  • Criminology Library
  • Engineering and Computer Science Library
  • Gerstein Science Information Centre
  • Graham Library, Trinity College
  • Inforum
  • Law Library
  • Music Library
  • OISE Library
  • Robarts Library
  • UTM Library
  • UTSC Library

The U of T Food and Clothing Bank operates year round and is open to all University of Toronto students. Register for the service by bringing in a print-out of your current timetable from ROSI and your TCard. Visit the Food and Clothing Bank on Fridays between 12–3 pm at the U of T Multi-Faith Centre, 569 Spadina (between Willcocks and College). Please bring your own bags.

http://uoft.me/familiesinneed

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Bullying Awareness week is November 20-26!

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Nora Frauley-Elson

November 20-26 is Bullying Awareness and Prevention week in Ontario! Being aware of bullying means being aware of all ways that you can encounter bullying as a teacher, between students, between colleagues and between students and teachers. Awareness should not be confined to this week; diligence throughout the school year can make an enormous difference in the life of a bullied student. Prevention of the problem is perhaps the best solution, but when you discover a problem it is good to consult some library resources to give you an idea of how to proceed.

In preparation for this week of awareness, OISE Library has a new display in the front lobby of the OISE building: “Bullying Awareness.” Materials about prevention, reaction, and behavioural elements of bullying are all part of this display, and a variety of media resources are represented. The library has materials on bullying at all levels, from elementary school to the workplace. Among these resources, there is everything from theoretical perspectives to practical guides. Some DVD’s and activity kits have also been included to give students an idea of the variety of resources available to them. Bullying doesn’t have an age limit; resources about academic and workplace bullying have been included along with the elementary and secondary resources.

Part of preventing bullying in schools is the establishment of a network of resources and knowledge among teachers. Whether you have witnessed an instance of bullying between students or are experiencing it yourself, there are resources available to help you understand what to report, when to report it and how the situation will be dealt with. Students planning to work in Ontario schools should be aware of the resources offered by the Ministry of Education. Under the Keeping Our Children Safe at School Act, as well as the Provincial Code of Conduct, schools must have a code of conduct for their students and teachers in order to prevent instances of bullying. Every public school in Ontario is also required to have a safe schools team, which draws members from staff, parents and community partners. Being aware of these resources and how they apply to your future workplace will allow you to navigate the individual school bullying policies that you may encounter. Ask how you can get involved in your school community, and in anti-bullying initiatives.

If you should see something in the new display that could be helpful to your teaching, don’t be shy, ask us to take it out for you! This display is in the OISE building lobby.

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The University of Toronto Libraries are going cashless

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Monique Flaccavento

Starting November 21, 2016, the OISE Library will no longer be accepting cash or cheques for library fines and services. Debit or Credit Cards (AMEX, MasterCard, or Visa) will be the only accepted payment methods, in-person and online. Cash-to-Card machines (to add money to TCards) will continue to accept cash, debit, or credit.

Cash is no longer accepted for library fines or services at the Robarts Library (effective September 2016) and the Gerstein Science Information Centre (effective July 2016). Cash payments will be phased out at other UofT Libraries in the coming months.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Monique Flaccavento, Acting Director, OISE Library at monique.flaccavento@utoronto.ca.

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