Tommy Orange’s debut novel “There There” tells the story of twelve different characters that all struggle in some form or another with their lineage, heritage, and knowing who they are. Almost all of the main characters are Indigenous, and the question of what being an Indigenous person means to them all is frequently questioned throughout... Continue Reading →
Intercultural Development Inventory
The Board and staff of Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) have participated in an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) process. This was administered by DiversiPro, an organization that specializes in intercultural competence development. This involves some on line assessments followed by a group discussion, personal feedback, and individual action plans. To accomplish TBPLs strategic directions, we... Continue Reading →
Insights from Fiction
Reading fiction is a unique way to learn about different cultures, places, and periods in history. Many authors bring authenticity to their books by doing extensive research to ensure readers are immersed in their setting, and that their stories are historically accurate. Here are some books that will take you places, and give you an... Continue Reading →
Managing Cultural Change
For the last six years Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) has been on a journey of transformation from a Traditional library to a Community Led library. In October 2012 TBPL was a Traditional library with a traditional strategy, structures, systems and organizational culture. Since that time TBPL has undergone a Fundamental Library Review which started... Continue Reading →
An Indigenous Partnership: A Shared Community Hub
Decolonization is a necessary process for creating community led and needs based public libraries. Partnerships with Indigenous organizations are a step towards decolonization. Partnerships transform strategies, structures and systems and challenge the organizational culture. At Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) decolonization is an outcome of our Reconciliation and Relationship Building Strategy and Action Plan. This... Continue Reading →
Two Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder by Ma-Nee Chacaby
I don’t normally read memoirs, but I was interested in Ma-Nee Chacaby’s A Two Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder after Chacaby was at Waverley for the Northern Ontario Writers Workshop’s first Ask an Author event back in February. Chacaby’s memoir takes us from her early happy memories of living with... Continue Reading →
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman
The world has changed much in 30 years: today, we have access to more information than we’ll ever need in 100 lifetimes through a device that fits in our pocket. We can communicate face to face to relatives across the world in real time through a screen. These are just a couple of the many... Continue Reading →
Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
The Elegance of the Hedgehog, in French: L'Élégance du hérisson, is written by the French novelist and professor of philosophy Muriel Barbery. The book follows the life of a concierge, Renée Michel, whose hidden intelligence is discovered by no one save a precocious twelve year-old girl named Paloma Josse who lives in the same building.... Continue Reading →
Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn
Ishmael is the kind of book that makes you think. It stays with you long after it’s finished, and has you pondering about the way you live your life. It has you questioning the authenticity of your own human perspective, and deliberating on how things came to be as they are. Can they feasibly stay... Continue Reading →
Englishmen in France or Is the Hundred Year’s War actually over?
Every since I can remember, the thought of running off to France, to immerse myself in the culture, the food, the history,and of course, the glorious weather has been a cherished dream. In the case of these two Englishmen; sometimes living a dream is not quite what you expect. Peter Mayle's "A Year in Provence"... Continue Reading →