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This article considers institutional literacy as a lens through which to consider causes of library anxiety and the development of library programs. Institutional literacy is the ability to read and engage with the ways of being and doing that are -- often invisibly -- embedded into institutions of all kinds. This article posits that the ability of library users to confidently engage with library services is in part predicated on the level of institutional literacy these users have, both in the institution of the library itself and any larger host institution – such as a university. A setting such as a university requires a range of literacies, and those developing programs and services in such settings should not assume new and potential library users already have developed these literacies. While librarians are accustomed to considering information literacy as their contribution to this matrix, unfamiliar institutional literacy practices can present obstacles to new library users becoming information literate. A comparison of research on the effects of a lack of institutional literacy and research into library anxiety demonstrates parallels that suggest that low levels of institutional literacy are a contributing factor to library anxiety, creating one of the aforementioned obstacles. Acting as institutional literacy mediators is one way library workers can respond to this challenge. The article concludes with a description of how the theoretical lens thus developed was used to inform the development of a personal librarian program at the University of Regina, in part by positioning librarians as institutional literacy mediators.

Keywords: institutional literacy, Alphabétisation institutionnelle, library anxiety, Anxiété des bibliothèques, personal librarian, Bibliothécaire personnel, Sensibilisation, outreach, Engagement, engagement

This paper aims to show how Casey Albert Wood’s passion for rare books and strong interest in the history of ophthalmology resulted in significant contributions to the development of the McGill Libraries’ collections. The first two parts will document the acquisition processes of the Ivanow and Meyerhof collections, highlight some of the codicological and paleographical characteristics of items in these collections, and explain how to navigate and access them today. The third part will focus on Wood’s Arabic-to-English translation of an eleventh-century eye treatise entitled Tadhkirat al-Kaḥḥālīn (“Memorandum Book of a Tenth-Century Oculist for the Use of Modern Ophtalmologist”)[1], often recognized as one of his greatest contributions to the field of the history of ophthalmology. The fourth and concluding part will describe the unique and remarkable collection of original manuscripts of the Tadhkirat al-Kaḥḥālīn collected and presented to the McGill Library by Casey A. Wood. [1]  Casey Wood’s translation.

Coworking spaces first appeared in large metropolitan cities across the globe and have multiplied in various regions since. They are centered on knowledge exchanges, collaboration, networking and territorial innovation. While the large metropolitan spaces have been well studied, they have not been studied in regional and smaller places. We thus decided to research coworking spaces in small Québec cities or regions. We observed that while these spaces usually have the same objectives of cooperation and networking, they also present differences. Coworkers are usually a bit older and more often have an entrepreneurial disposition, even if they are also self-employed. Coworking spaces are less numerous in regions and small cities, and less centered on differentiation by the decoration or ambience, or animation services. Coworkers in regional places are more preoccupied with the entrepreneurial and management support, business services, and sometimes also with their contribution to local territorial development.

Creativity stimulates innovation (Wolfe, 2007); it thus plays an important role in economic development in a digital age. The arts and culture community, master of creative practice, is a key component in entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs). In a context where the digital transition of communities depends on sectoral transversality (Caron et al., 2020), we are analyzing the contributions of the arts and culture community in the development of EEs. Through a case study based on the evolution of a creative hub project, we will specify the dynamics at work in the intersectoral structuring of EEs. In doing so, we will focus our attention on notions of open innovation, creativity and co-development in the digital era.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial ecosystem, Écosystème entrepreneurial, arts, arts, culture, culture, digital transition, transition numérique

The internet has become an essential resource for social interaction among children, but it brings with it both advantages and disadvantages that depend in part on how it is used. This study, which is anchored in social learning theory, employed a desktop review of existing literature that focused on Kenya but covered global and other regional levels as well. The study found a number of benefits of the internet for children: updating family and friends on new developments in the children’s lives, reviewing photos and other records of past events, engaging in online interactions, and increasing their capacity for learning. Nonetheless, there are also internet-specific risks, such as access to inappropriate content and unsafe interactions with other children or adults. Other risks include “digital kidnapping” and contact with perpetrators who encourage children to engage in sexual activity. Although some countries have policies on internet usage, few have specific policies or guidelines addressing children’s vulnerability when sharing their pictures online. Moreover, most such policies are not applied in practice, especially in African countries. The study recommends developing and implementing policy frameworks to protect children online and using privacy settings to protect their information.

Keywords: technopanic, real risk, children’s pictures

Initiatives to develop an ecosystem conducive to the creation and growth of businesses and/or innovation are based on the idea of bringing together a diversity of actors. Open and diversified social interactions then support and drive innovation. These determining factors of ecosystem success are perceived as “easy” both to achieve and to multiply. In this article, we return to some basic findings of network sociology and use the homophily concept to examine the sociological feasibility of this multiplication and diversification of relationships. The analysis is based on the study of two exemplary cases: the case of the Montreal startup ecosystem in the digital field, where the absence of homophily explains the relative scarcity of collaboration, and the case of l’Esplanade, a Montreal business accelerator and collaborative network dedicated to entrepreneurship and social innovation, where the commonality of the actors explains the significant collaboration observed.

Les femmes dans l’espace rebelle (2013), this article proposes an analogy of the historical novel and the youth novel, followed by a reflection on the representation of female marginality in literature aimed at a young readership. Beyond a common aim, namely to instruct and entertain, many narrative and receptive aspects unite these two novelistic sub-genres and can explain the treatment reserved for the imaginary of marginality, more specifically of the marginality of women and girls.

Keywords: Historical Novel, roman historique, Youth Fiction, roman jeunesse, Marginality, littérature jeunesse, Rebellious Girls, marginalité, filles rebelles

In this paper, we discuss a qualitative data set that was gathered as part of a survey aiming to document access to menstrual supplies on campus and impacts on students. This research emerged in response to the growing interest in menstrual equity on campus, as well as literature examining student experiences of menstruation in the Global North. Through a thematic analysis, three main themes emerged: menstruation happens on campus, menstruation is managed on campus, and finally, the “solution” to the “problem.” Woven throughout the paper are notes on changes on the campus where the study took place and as the research unfolded—including the installation of barrier-free dispensers. In closing, we offer a postscript on the challenge of simple fixes—such as swapping out dispensers—in relation to addressing supports needed for menstruators. We found that menstruation is a burden that is experienced differentially by students, and outcomes and impacts cannot easily be confined to expected campus spaces, such as toilets. To this end, there is no easy fix, and we should not lose sight of the deeper and ongoing work ahead within post-secondary settings and beyond.

Keywords: menstruation aspects sociaux et politiques, menstruation political and social aspects, produits d’hygiène féminine, menstrual/period products, étudiantes de niveau postsecondaire, post-secondary students, équité en matière de produits d’hygiène féminine, menstrual equity