Launched in 2002, the Education Institute was designed for the library community by The Partnership of Provincial and Territorial Library Associations of Canada. It aims to reach beyond traditional borders to offer a professional development and continuing education program with sessions on a variety of topics for librarians and information professionals across sectors. 

Programming is currently maintained by the Education team at the Ontario Library Association. 

The Partnership’s events fall under the OLA’s Code of Conduct, which can be found at accessola.com in the Board of Director’s listing of Policies and Procedures. If you feel the code has been breached, please contact the Executive Director of OLA (Michelle Arbuckle). 

The Partnership offers virtual education events on a variety of topics. The sessions are hosted by experts across all sectors of the library & information profession. After each event, registrants will have on-demand access to session recordings for a limited time.

View Upcoming Events

Do I need any special software to participate in The Partnership’s education series? 

Yes – but the software is free! All registrants receive an email with instructions to login to the event web portal prior to the event date. All you need to access it is a computer that has access to the internet and working computer speakers. 

Do I need a teleconferencing number? 

You do not need a teleconference number. Sound will come through your computer speakers or headphones. Only the session presenters and the convenor have audio privileges.  

Will I be able to interact with the presenters during the presentation? 

Yes. In some cases, you may not have access to communicate verbally, but you will always be able to interact with the presenters or the conveners via the chat box on the event platform, and you might also be asked to complete a poll or engage with a collaborative program like Jamboard. Afterwards, you will often have the option to contact the presenters via email. Plus, we always send a feedback survey after each event, so you are welcome to share your thoughts there as well.

How do I log into the event platform? 

Connection instructions will be emailed out to registrants a few days prior to the event, providing you with a link, as well as a unique login and password. If you do not have login instructions by the day of the presentation, please check your spam filter. If you’ve registered for an event on the same day as it’s being presented, we urge you to email us at education@accessola.com informing us of this, so that we can make sure that you have all the information you need by the time the sessions start. 

I’ve never attended a Zoom webinar. Is it complicated?  

Not at all. The convenor always gives a short introduction of the various features before the actual webinar starts and you are free to ask questions during the presentation using the chat box feature.  

I would like to register a number of people in my library for an upcoming event. How can I do that? 

Please contact info@accessola.com and we would be happy to help. 

I am a member of a provincial library association, but not the OLA (example: BCLA or APLA). Can I receive member discounts on the education series? 
Yes, you can. Please contact info@accessola.com and we would be happy to help. 

Can I share the URL for the event with my friends? 

Yes and no. Your registration covers single-location access. That means you can host a group in a single room or watch it individually; please do not pass the connection email or link to others. We are a non-profit that exists to serve our members, and our system is totally honour-based. 

Can I access the event (or recordings) on my iPad? 

The event system is best experienced on a laptop or desktop device, though it is responsive and compatible with tablets and smartphones. Tablets and smartphones are best suited for view-only experiences, as the system relies on several technologies that are best compatible with full browsers. 

What happens if I can’t make the event date? 

As long as you register before the event date, you will have access to the event web portal to view the recordings on-demand (these are usually posted within a week). You can access the recordings as often as you like for the specified period following the event. 

Will I be able to access past events? 

Unless otherwise indicated, session recordings for each event will be accessible via the event web platform for a specified period following the event date.  

I need a receipt to be reimbursed by my organization. How do I get it? 

You can access your registration receipts by visiting your profile on our registration portal.  If you need assistance, please contact info@accessola.com.

Can I pay for event registration by cheque? 

Individuals pay by credit card.  If you are registering a group from the same institution or organization and need to pay by another means, please contact info@accessola.com to coordinate payment. 

What is your cancellation and refund policy? 

If you are unable to attend a live event, please refer to the recording available on-demand following the event. If an event is cancelled, registrants will receive a credit for a future event. If personal circumstances arise that require more assistance or consideration, please contact us directly at info@accessola.com.

Thank you for registering for The Partnership’s educational programming. Despite our best efforts, sometimes online sessions don’t run as smoothly as we’d like. Please email us at education@accessola.com for technical support. 

The Partnership is always on the lookout for great content ideas relevant to library and information professionals, across all sectors. The Education team consults industry newsletters, survey results, and trends to shape events for its community. Presenters are sourced from a variety of backgrounds and expertise areas with the goal of providing an equitable platform for all types of voices.

All event proposals must consist of a detailed outline, including session information such as content descriptions, a list of key outcomes, and presenter bios, which are then reviewed by the Education team. Following acceptance and confirmation, presenters are contacted with next steps in the logistical process. 

Open submissions are not currently accepted.  

The Partnership’s education programming is maintained by the Education team at the Ontario Library Association. 

Ontario Library Association (OLA)
c/o Centre for Social Innovation
192 Spadina Avenue, Suite 205,
Toronto ON M5T 2C2

Call: 1-877-340-1730 
Email: info@accessola.com