Canadian Library Association CLA Digest for November 2015

The Canadian Library Association (CLA) publishes a regular news bulletin known as CLA Digest.

In the most recent issue, there are a number of items that caught my interest:

• 2014 Survey of Challenges to Resources and Policies in Canadian Libraries: "Nazi occultism in a graphic novel; a DVD laced with the 'F word'; a children's picture book rebuked for"promoting" a negative female body image; a series of graphic novels portraying violence and explicit sexuality; an adult novel deemed 'too explicit for a public library collection' and inappropriate for any age group; allegations in a biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower of a wartime extra-marital affair; grammatical errors in two children's picture books; an audiobook with offensive language and explicit sexuality ('porn') that was mistakenly thought to be a self-help book; a graphic novel purportedly showing a one-sided view of the Gaza Strip conflict; deeply racist portrayal of blacks in a famous classic film; a DVD with no warning it was about 'the homosexual lifestyle'; a book with allegedly defamatory references; a DVD with disturbing police footage of a crime scene. All of these were among the 83 items in library collections somewhere in Canada that were challenged in 2014 for expressive content deemed objectionable, offensive, unsuitable, or otherwise unacceptable.Twenty-five library policies involving intellectual freedom and access principles were also challenged."
• The Canadian Library Association (CLA) released of a new Statement on Intellectual Freedom and libraries: "This new Statement replaces the previous 30 year old Position Statement on Intellectual Freedom. The Statement seeks to provide a broader national and international context for the role of libraries in ensuring intellectual freedom as well as a framework for Canadian libraries to provide, defend, and promote equitable access to the widest possible variety of expressive content and resist calls for censorship and the adoption of systems that deny or restrict access to resources."
•  Soft Launch of the Newly Re-vamped Feliciter [Feliciter is the association's magazine]
• 2016 Canadian Library Association Forum: " Over the past couple of months Executive Council (EC) has been discussing the future of a national conference and in particular, how to approach the upcoming conference scheduled to take place June 1 - 3 in Ottawa. In recent weeks, EC has made some decisions regarding the 2016 conference structure that we would like to share with you. These decisions were made taking into account many factors including both formal and informal feedback from delegates and the community at large, opportunities provided through a national gathering, and finances. The CLA 2016 will be a national policy summit and convention as opposed to a general conference and it will be called the 2016 Canadian Library Association Forum."

American Association of Law Libraries to Rebrand as Association for Legal Information

The American Association of Law Libraries, the sister association of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL), has announced that its Executive Board is recommendating that the association change its name to the Association for Legal Information.

Jean P. O'Grady, a Washington-based information professional who writes the Dewey B Strategtic blog, has provided some background:

"Here are some of the issues which demonstrate the compelling need to modernize, enlarge and redefine The American Association of Law Libraries:

Does A Name Or a Title Open Doors or Close Doors? (...)

In 10 Years, Half of AALL Members Will Work in Institutions Without Libraries (...) 

Increasing Opportunities For Members (...)

Moving From Content To Process (...)

Diversity of Membership Will Enhance Opportunity and Creativity (...)

Collaboration Is the Future of Everything (...)

Attracting Innovative Graduates Into the Profession (...) "

CALL is not considering any name change at the moment.

October 2015 Canadian Library Assessment Workshop Presentations Now Available

The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) and Ryerson University in Toronto hosted the Canadian Library Assessment Workshop in Toronto on October 15-16, 2015.

The presentations from the event are now available online.

There were workshops on:

• Demonstrating value with evidence
• Linking Assessment Plan to the Library Strategic Plan
• Unbundling the Big Deal (periodical subscriptions)
• Data Driven Decision Making
• Guerrilla Assessment or Assessment for the Rest of Us
• Data Visualization

Statistics Canada Article on Homicide

The Statistics Canada publication Juristat has published an article entitled Homicide in Canada, 2014.

The homicide rate remained stable in 2014 (1.45 per 100,000 population), making 2013 and 2014 the years with the lowest homicide rates since 1966.

However, 23% of the homicide victims in 2014 were reported by police as Aboriginal, a group that accounts for just 5% of the Canadian population.

Among the highlights:

• Manitoba continued to report the highest homicide rate among the provinces (3.43 per 100,000 population).
• Among Canada's 34 census metropolitan areas (CMAs), Thunder Bay reported the highest homicide rate among the CMAs (9.04 per 100,000 population), followed by Winnipeg (3.29 per 100,000 population).
• Saguenay, Sherbrooke, Kingston, Oshawa and Brantford reported no homicides in 2014.
• Police reported 156 firearm-related homicides in 2014, 21 more than in 2013. As such, the rate of firearm-related homicides increased by 14% to 0.44 per 100,000 population. Despite the increase, the rate of firearm-related homicides was the second lowest ever recorded since data became available in 1974.
• In 2014, the number (84) and rate (0.24 per 100,000 population) of gang-related homicides reached its lowest level since 2005.
• Most solved homicides in 2014 were committed by someone known to the victim (83%).
• In 2014, the rate of intimate partner homicides, meaning homicides committed by a current or former legally married or common-law spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend or other intimate relationship, was four times greater for females than for males (0.44 per 100,000 females aged 15 and over versus 0.11 for males aged 15 and over).
• The rate of homicide committed by youth decreased by 36% to 1.07 per 100,000 population, the lowest rate since 1969.
• The homicide rate among Aboriginal people was 6 times higher than that of non-Aboriginal people (7.20 per 100,000 population compared to 1.13 per 100,000).
• Aboriginal males were victims of homicide at a rate 7 times higher than that of non-Aboriginal males (10.86 per 100,000 population versus 1.61). Among Aboriginal females, the rate was 6 times higher than for non-Aboriginal females (3.64 per 100,000 versus 0.65).
• Of the 431 persons accused of homicides in 2014, one third (32%) were Aboriginal people.

Program for Government Information Day in Ontario Now Available Online

On December 7, 2015, the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo, Ontario will be hosting the 3rd annual Government Information Day in Ontario.

Speakers from libraries, archives and academia will be making presentations on topics involving:

• issues in foreign government information;
• updates on Freedom of & Access to Information;
• web harvesting work;
• thoughts on depository programs;
• ideas around capturing fugitive documents;
• digital repository efforts;
• the Library and Archives Canada’s role in the gathering and preservation of federal government records;
• etc.

The first Government Information Day in Ontario was held at the University of Toronto in 2013, and last year's event took place at the University of Ottawa in 2014.

Statistics Canada Article on Self-Reported Victimization

The Statistics Canada publication Juristat has published an article entitled Self-reported victimization, 2014:

"In addition to collecting police-reported data annually through the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCR), every five years Statistics Canada conducts the General Social Survey (GSS) on Victimization which asks Canadians to self-report victimization for eight offence types. Data from the GSS inform us on the victimization experiences of Canadians aged 15 years and older, including incidents not brought to the attention of the police (...)"

"This Juristat article presents the first results from the 2014 GSS on Victimization. The analysis provides insight on the nature and extent of criminal victimization in the 10 provinces. The report also examines the factors associated with the risk of being the victim of a crime, the consequences of victimization, and the reporting of incidents to police."

The 8 offence types that are part of the survey are: sexual assault, robbery, physical assault, theft or attempted theft of personal property, break and enter, theft of motor vehicle or parts, theft of household property, vandalism.

Among the highlights:

• Just under one-fifth of Canadians aged 15 years and older reported being the victim of one of the eight offences measured by the 2014 General Social Survey (GSS) on Victimization, down from just over a quarter in 2004.
• Victimization rates for all crimes measured by the 2014 GSS were lower than those reported 10 years earlier, with the exception of sexual assault, which remained stable. From 2004, the violent victimization rate fell by 28%, while the household victimization rate decreased by 42% and the rate of theft of personal property declined by 21%.
• Unlike previous GSS cycles on victimization that found similar violent victimization rates among males and females, women posted a higher rate than men in 2014. This was mainly due to the relative stability of the sexual assault victimization rate—of which the majority of victims are women—while the victimization rate of other violent crimes declined.
• Being young was the main contributing factor to the risk of violent victimization.
• Mental health was the second most influential factor associated with the risk of violent victimization in 2014.
• According to the GSS, in 2014 just over one-quarter of violent incidents involved a weapon and just under one in five violent incidents resulted in injury to the victim. In about half of violent incidents (excluding spousal violence) the victim knew the offender.
• According to the GSS, just under one-third (31%) of criminal incidents were brought to the attention of the police in 2014, a proportion slightly lower than 10 years earlier, when 34% of incidents were reported. The proportions of incidents reported to the police ranged from 50% for break-ins to as little as 5% for sexual assaults.

Supreme Court of Canada Hearings Calendar for November 30 to December 11

The Supreme Court of Canada has published its calendar of leave applications and appeals that will be heard from November 30 to December 11.

To find out more about any particular case, the Court's website has a section that allows users to find docket information, case summaries as well as factums from the parties.

Supreme Court of Canada: New Library Titles

The list of new library titles added to the Supreme Court of Canada collection for the period of November 1-15, 2015 is now available on the Court website.

It is possible to subscribe via e-mail to receive the list. 

Alberta Law Reform Institute Report For Discussion on A New Trustee Act for Alberta

The Alberta Law Reform Institute (ALRI) has published a report for discussion on the topic of a New Trustee Act for Alberta.

From the description on the ALRI website:

In 2012, the Uniform Law Conference of Canada published the Uniform Trustee Act and recommended it be adopted by the common law provinces. ALRI representatives participated in the creation of the Uniform Trustee Act. ALRI's Report For Discussion #28, A New Trustee Act for Alberta, consists of recommendations for implementing the Uniform Trustee Act in Alberta. Using the Uniform Trustee Act as a starting point, ALRI has enhanced, tailored and clarified the Uniform Trustee Act to ensure Alberta's trustee legislation reflects Alberta's law and practice and meets the needs of Albertans.

13 Questions With Lindsay Stephenson, Corporate Information Services, National Capital Commission

The librarianship.ca website has a series of librarian profiles called 13 Questions With ...

Here is the most recent one with Lindsay Stephenson, Head, Corporate Information Services, National Capital Commission (NCC) in Ottawa:

"Coolest thing in your cubicle or office?
I have two actually. An old rotary phone and a RCMP nutcracker (...)
What useless skill(s) do you possess?
I remember ridiculous tidbits of information that people tell me.
Proudest moment in your professional life?
Hhhmmm, it’s not my proudest but it is one that I will always remember. When I just started at the NCC I was tasked with looking for a file that nobody could find and of course it was urgently required. I found it and did the most amazing happy dance only to discover everyone was at lunch and I had to wait for them to get back to share the news."

Highlights from Federal Ministerial Mandate Letters

The blog librarianship.ca a few days ago posted Highlights from Ministerial Mandate Letters.

The post summarizes features of potential interest to the library and information community that appear in the mandate letters that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau provided members of his new federal cabinet.

Mandate letters describe what the Prime Minister expects his ministers to achieve. The letters all emphasize openness, transparency and evidence-based policy as well as specifics for each government department.

The blog summarizes the letters to the ministers of:

• Canadian Heritage
• Democratic Institutions
• Finance
• Indigenous and Northern Affairs
• Infrastructure and Communities
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development
• Justice
• National Revenue
• Science
• Treasury Board

New Zealand Law Commission Paper on Abuse Victims Who Kill Their Abusers

The Law Commission of New Zealand has published an Issues paper on Victims of family violence who commit homicide as part of its consultation process.

From the press release:

"The Law Commission is seeking feedback to improve the law relating to victims of family violence who kill their abusers in an Issues Paper published today. "

"The key questions are whether the law of self-defence for victims of family violence should be reformed, and whether New Zealand should introduce a new partial defence (that would reduce murder to manslaughter) for victims of family violence. The paper also asks whether there should be changes to sentencing and evidence law, and education on family violence for judges, lawyers and juries."

The paper also looks at the comparable legal situation in countries such as England, Australia, Canada and Ireland.

The New Zealand media has coverage:

• Should domestic violence victims have a murder defence? (Radio New Zealand)
• Law Commission review: Women who kill abusers could face lesser charges (New Zealand Herald)
• Law Commission reviews defences for victims who kill (stuff.co.nz)

English Law Commission Report on Protection of Wildlife

The English Law Commission has published a report on wildlife law that seeks to simplify the legal framework for wildlife management in England and Wales:

"(...) we recommend that the patchwork of existing legislation be replaced by a single statute. The new statute brings together the law governing the protection, control and management of wildlife to make it more consistent, easier to understand and simpler to use. Reflecting relevant EU directives and international conventions as well as national wildlife policy, the statute provides a regulatory framework organised around schedules listing protected and controlled species and prohibited conduct."

"Existing protections for wild animals, birds and plants are maintained but a statutory procedure for amending the schedules is introduced, allowing for more strategic management of species. The existing requirement for protected species lists to be reviewed every five years is extended to include all relevant lists. Ministers retain the power to make changes between reviews, but they will be required to publish their reasons if they do not follow expert advice."

"We recommend a reduction in the current dependency on criminal law by allowing an appropriate mix of regulatory measures such as guidance, advice and a varied and flexible system of civil sanctions such as fines and bans. But the penalty for the most serious wildlife crimes will be extended from six months to two years in prison."

Supreme Court of Canada: New Library Titles

The list of new library titles added to the Supreme Court of Canada collection for the period of October 16-31, 2015 is now available on the Court website.

It is possible to subscribe via e-mail to receive the list. 

England's Lord Chief Justice Asked to Ditch Wigs, Gowns and Legalese

According to Solicitors Journal, a group called the Criminal Justice Alliance is calling on the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the head of the British judiciary, to review the use of wigs, gowns, and legalese in the Crown Court.

The Crown Court is a criminal court of original and appellate jurisdiction in England and Wales.

The article explains that a recent reported done at Birkbeck University of London found that many court users often felt marginalized by the delays, chaos and scheduling problems.

The wigs and gowns worn by legal professionals were also alienating asd they created a sense of "other-worldliness".

The Birkbeck report is entitled Structured mayhem:Personal experiences of the Crown Court.

Earlier Library Boy posts about British legal fashion oddities include:

• More Court Changes in the UK (April 7, 2006): "The Judiciary of England and Wales has launched a new website that includes current court rulings, judges' speeches, court reports on legal issues, information on what UK judges do, and quizzes to educate the public on how the UK court system works... And yes, the website even has lots of materials on why UK magistrates have to wear those funny looking wigs."
• Oh No: UK Judges To Lose Their Wigs! (October 3, 2006): "Apparently, according to The Times, there is lots of pressure from different quarters to get rid of the headgear that goes back to the Restoration Era of the late 17th-century. I say: No, No, No! ... The role of the Brits on this planet is to preserve silly old traditions. Give up the wigs? What's next? Driving on the right side of the road? The tabloids becoming respectable? Edible cuisine? Republicanism? 
• UK Judges Throw Off Their Wigs (January 6, 2007): "Yesterday, The Guardian reported in an article entitled Civil court judges prepare to cast aside their wigs after 300 years that a consensus seems to have emerged that civil court judges will abandon their head coverings. However, wigs will remain de rigueur fashion in the criminal courts, at least for now ..."

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Opens at University of Manitoba

Earlier this year, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its findings after its years-long investigation into the many abuses against Aboriginal children at Church-run Indian Residential Schools in the 19th and 20th centuries.

This week, a grand opening was held for the new National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation located on the grounds of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. The Centre is the permanent home for all statements, documents, and other materials gathered by the TRC.

As the Centre's director Ry Moran explains:

"On this site and at our centre, you will find a vast collection of documents, oral history and other records that detail the systematic and intentional attempt to assimilate the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. Much of the material you will interact with will be difficult but as difficult as this history may be, this is the history of Canada and it is history we all need to know."

"But also interwoven throughout these records are incredible accounts of strength and resilience. The records contain rich and dynamic stories from Indigenous cultures that resisted every attempt to eliminate them from the Canadian landscape. You’ll also find moving accounts of meaningful reconciliation and sincere promises by people from all walks of life to make this country a better, more respectful place for all people."  

"While some of the records will detail humanity at its worst, others demonstrate humanity at its best."  

"Everything recorded in this collection has a direct effect on the present day relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country. Think about how what you discover here is reflected in the present day. Think about the conversations we need to have in this country to heal the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples that has existed for far too long."

The Centre hosts a massive database of its collections including:

• the materials from the TRC
• testimonials from survivors of the schools
• millions of records from federal departments and from Library and Archives Canada (records detailing how the schools were created and run; school admissions; school histories; administration records; photographs; maps, plans and drawings)
• records from churches that ran the schools (student records; photographs; school newsletters; cemetery records; religious records; administrative records)

Press coverage of the opening ceremony:

• 'A new beginning' National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation opens in Winnipeg (CTV News)
• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation opens in Winnipeg (CBC News)
• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation formally opens (Winnipeg Free Press)

November 2015 Issue of In Session: Canadian Association of Law Libraries' e-Newsletter

The November 2015 issue of In Session is available online.

It is the monthly e-newsletter of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) and contains news from CALL committees and special interest groups, member updates and events.

Webinar Later This Week on Taking Librarians Off The Reference Desk

The Education Institute, the continuing education program developed by The Partnership of Provincial and Territorial Library Associations of Canada, is organizing a webinar on November 5 on Taking Librarians Off The Desk: One Library's Experience:

"This workshop will discuss the decision at Central Michigan University to change its reference desk staffing model. After reviewing departmental data on reference desk transactions of all kinds (including reference questions and non-reference questions) and considerations of other functions of the department, the reference librarians decided to move to an on-call desk staffing model. While the librarians no longer physically sit at the desk, they are readily available to come to the desk when needed. Departmental observation and discussion since the decision was made have supported the decision to move to an on-call reference desk staffing model."

The speaker will be Timothy Peters is the Director of Information Services at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

The one-hour webinar begins at 2PM Eastern.

Price: $45 Ontario Library Association Members / $55 non-members.

September 2015 Issue of Connected Bulletin on Courts and Social Media

The September 2015 issue of Connected is available online. The bulletin covers news about the impact of new social media on courts.

The bulletin is published by the Virginia-based National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and the Conference of Court Public Information Officers.

In this month's issue:

• Lawyer’s license suspended after criticizing clients online 
• Law360 names top Twitter lawyers
• CTC [Court Technology Conference] 2015 converted court leaders about social media
• What you shouldn't do after you rob a bank
• Tweet others like you want to be tweeted

Canadian Forum on Civil Justice October 2015 Access to Justice Newsletter

The non-profit Canadian Forum on Access to Justice (CFCJ) publishes a monthly newsletter about Access to Justice.

The latest issue of the newsletter includes:

• a report from the Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters
• an update about the Legal Health Check-Up project in the Halton, Ontario region
• news about conferences