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Category: Featured Articles

  • Career Profile: Cargo and Freight Agent

    Career Profile: Cargo and Freight Agent

    When people send packages to each other or businesses move their goods from one place to another, someone needs to make sure that everything gets to the right place in good condition. Cargo and freight agents are an important part of the process. If you are organized, attentive to detail, and helpful, you might want to consider this field.

    Sending a package or a larger shipment from one place to another can be a complicated process. The address on the label needs to be correct, the package must be properly wrapped, and the sender needs to pay the right amount of postage to send the package to its destination. Someone also must be available to receive the package at the destination. Cargo and freight agents are experts in this field.

    Cargo and freight agents work in warehouses, stockrooms, shipping centres in factories, and other places where people send large packages. Some might even work for museums or universities. They might work for airlines, water transport centres, or shipping companies. They often check documents for importing or exporting goods, meet with clients to discuss prices and shipment options, and organize the goods that are supposed to be shipped.

    Cargo and freight agents can help make the process of shipping easier. For example, they might work with manufacturers to combine different types of products into the same shipment to save space. They might examine different shipping routes to see which one is the most efficient and safest. For example, taking heavy goods over the Rocky Mountains by truck might be possible in summer but not in winter. Cargo and freight agents assess the options and help the client make the best choice.

    Being able to keep track of shipments is very important in this field. Cargo and freight agents must be very organized and be able to solve problems. A good knowledge of geography is useful for making sure that shipments go to the right destination by the best possible route. English courses in high school are useful for giving people good reading skills, and mathematics courses help people in this career calculate weights and volumes. That way, they can calculate how much will fit onto a train or airplane without overloading it.

    Salaries for cargo and freight agents begin at about $46,000 per year and can rise to more than $64,000 per year. Depending on the job, the work might be mainly in an office or involve actual lifting and moving, and cities are likely to have more jobs than small towns. Often, people in this job work with at least one or two other people. The hours can be long, and a certain level of stamina is important. However, the main qualities necessary for the job are good organizational and problem-solving skills.

    Good communication skills are essential for the job. Often, people in this field work with a variety of companies or vendors to get the job done. For example, a company in Vancouver might want to ship to Winnipeg. The cargo and freight agent could then arrange one form of transportation to get the goods over the mountains and another to get across the prairies. Then someone would need to unload the goods and assess them for damage. Cargo and freight agents need to be able to work with all these segments of the job.

    Working as a cargo and freight can be a good choice for people who are organized and able to deal with many different people to get a task done. It could be a good job for you.

    Bibliography

    Career Explorer. “Cargo and Freight Agent.” https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/cargo-and-freight-agent/.

    Indeed. “How to Become a Freight Broker in Canada (With FAQs).” https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-freight-broker-in-canada.

    Indeed. “What Is a Cargo Agent? (With Career Steps and Salary).” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-cargo-agent.

    Job Bank. “Airline Cargo Agent in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/occupation/6304/ca.

    Talent.com. “Cargo Agent Average Salary in Canada, 2024.” https://ca.talent.com/salary?job=cargo+agent.

  • Career Profile: Foresters (French version available)

    Career Profile: Foresters (French version available)

    Trees are important in our world for producing oxygen, providing a home for animals, and giving us wood to use. Although cities and towns also have trees, forests have the largest number of trees, and keeping them safe is important. If you want to help, the job of forester might be a good choice for you.

    Maintaining forests can be difficult. Every year, fires burn large numbers of trees, or diseases kill them. People cut trees down to use for fuel or to make into tables, chairs, or other objects. Keeping forests from disappearing or dying can be a complicated job. Foresters keep track of the health of forests and work to reduce threats to the trees.

    Many activities can be part of a forester’s work. They might help restore a forest by planning tree planting projects, work with conservation, regulate logging activities, and manage areas that are protected. This work involves research about trees and other plants, animals, and anything else that affects the health of the forests.

    Some of the work that foresters do is based in laboratories and offices, but some is out in the forests, taking soil samples and checking for problems that they might find. Often, foresters work with others, but they should also be able to work alone. Indoor work can be very detailed and can be tedious at times, but the outdoor work can be strenuous. Although foresters can work in this field until retirement, they might want to reduce their outdoor work as they age. Being prepared for bad weather is important.

    Requirements for this job vary, but foresters generally need at least a bachelor’s degree in forest management, natural resources, or a similar subject. Almost all universities have three- or four-year degrees in these areas. In high school, courses in biology, mathematics, natural resources, and computers can be useful. As always, English courses are also beneficial. Foresters need to keep up with new research and information. Being able to read and understand this information is very important.

    Finding work as a forester can be difficult, but job prospects in Canada will likely improve as people retire. Jobs are available in timber companies, governments, provincial and national parks, universities, and elsewhere. Some foresters are self-employed, working as consultants for various companies and agencies. They might even work for small companies or occasionally for individuals.

    Salaries for foresters depend on where they work and how much experience they have. Generally, salaries start at about $45,000 per year and can rise to $99,000 per year. Although foresters can do much of their research work from almost anywhere, living close to forests is best. Often, this means living quite far north, but some people can work with urban forests or other areas with trees.

    Working as a forester involves both theoretical and practical tasks. People in this job need to be able to deal with difficult situations, such as non-functioning equipment or sometimes wild animals that live in the forests. Being prepared for emergencies is important. Besides that, knowing the job well can help foresters when they are under pressure to finish a project.

    Working as a forester can be a good way of helping to preserve Canada’s trees. If you like both practical and theoretical work, this could be a good job for you.

     

    Bibliography:

    AgCareers.com. “Career Profiles: Forester.” https://www.agcareers.com/career-profiles/forester.cfm.

    Eco Canada. “Forester.” https://eco.ca/career-profiles/forester/.

    Job Bank. “Forester in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/2733/ca.

    Payscale Canada. “Average Forester Salary in Canada.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Forester/Salary.

  • Promises, Promises (French version available)

    Promises, Promises (French version available)

    A New Year’s Resolution is defined as “a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year.”

    Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it?

    So why is it so hard to keep resolutions?

    Is it a lack of willpower? A lack of motivation? Or a lack of understanding of what you really want for yourself and why?

    Perhaps a good way to gain an understanding of what motivates people to make resolutions is to understand where they originated.

    Like most things in our society, resolutions have religious origins. The ancient Babylonians, the Romans, Medieval Knights, Christians and Jewish people all made vows to their Gods at the start of a New Year. These vows all differed, but were usually based around the ideas of self-improvement and repentance of the past year’s wrongdoings.  The Resolutions would help them reaffirm their commitment to themselves and their God.

    January 1st became a symbolic day. The idea of starting the year off right appealed to many cultures over the years, so much so that we still do it today. We use the New Year as a time to take a personal inventory. We consider where we are in life, and where we’d like to be; Our resolutions should be reflective of this inventory. The whole idea is that at the end of the year, we’d like to be in a different place in our lives than we were at the start.

    The idea of making a resolution can be exciting and exhilarating at first. If you resolve to lose weight or save money to buy a car, for example, you are probably already picturing yourself in your new skinny jeans or driving around in your new car. But sometimes we can get a little carried away. In order to stick to your resolution, you’ll want to make your goals attainable. This will help ensure you don’t get frustrated and quit along the way (after all, we’d all like to be among the 19% who actually succeed, wouldn’t we?)

    Let’s say your resolution is to save for a car. First you should go online and figure out how much the average car costs. Look up different makes, models and years and see how much they go for. Second, get a quote from an insurance company (because there’s no point in buying a car you can’t afford to insure!). Then calculate how much money you’ll have to save each week. For instance, if the car you want is $1,200 and the insurance for a year is $1,500, then you will need $2,700. If you save $56.25 a week, you will have enough money by the end of the year to get your dream car. Therefore, this should become your New Year’s Resolution: “I resolve to save $56.25 a week”. This is an attainable goal that will get you where you want to be by the end of the year.

    You can do this for any resolution. If you break it down into smaller, more attainable, weekly or daily goals, it will keep you on track and focused to achieve your grander goal by the end of the year.

    So what are the most popular New Year’s Resolutions for teens? Here are some common ones:

    1. Get healthy
    2. Get happier
    3. Be a better person
    4. Find love
    5. Show more love to your family
    6. Be a better friend
    7. Get better in school
    8. Learn something new
    9. Be a role model
    10. Make some money

    No matter what your resolutions are, just remember to think them through carefully. Decide what you really want for yourself over the next year, think about the best ways to get there, and then pick a resolution that will help you attain that goal.

    Good luck and all the best in 2014!

  • Academic Resolutions for the New Year (French version available)

    Academic Resolutions for the New Year (French version available)

    Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of 2025. Whether you’ve already got a list of goals you’d like to accomplish next year or are still thinking about what to do tomorrow, don’t leave your academic career out of the picture. When it comes to things like study skills, research abilities, or time management, you can never stop improving—and it’s certainly never too late to start. Consider some of these academic resolutions when you’re setting goals for the New Year.

    Stay on top of things. Don’t let upcoming projects get the best of you this year. Make it your mission to stay organized so you know exactly what’s due when, what’s expected of you, and what’s coming up next. This includes keeping track of assignments and test dates (invest in a day planner—or a handy smartphone app), and doing a little bit each day so the workload doesn’t get too overwhelming. You’ll thank yourself when the deadline rolls around.

    Get involved. There’s more to school than tests and papers: committing to a club or team is a fun way to meet new people, develop your skills, and make yourself known among your teachers. If you have something to look forward to (aside from your next homework assignment), it’s a positive source of motivation, and your academic focus will improve, too. You’ll be surprised at what a positive effect getting involved outside the classroom can have on your grades.

    Challenge yourself. Go beyond what’s expected of you. If something in a class sparks your interest, do some more reading or ask your teachers for extra information (or extra credit). Don’t be afraid to set higher goals for yourself: for instance, if you were hoping and praying for a B paper last year (and you got it!), why not try for an A this time around? It may seem difficult to change your mindset at first, but by motivating yourself, you’re more likely to improve—and your instructors will recognize the extra effort you’re putting in.

    Learn from last year. Is there a class you were hoping to do better in or an assignment you kind of dropped the ball on? Based on your past academic experiences, think of ways to improve yourself this year. Whether it’s revising your study strategy or just working harder, confronting your past slip-ups is crucial to ensure they don’t happen again. Not to mention that teachers and professors love to see their students taking constructive criticism: prove you’ve learned something from the class, and there’s nowhere to go but up.

    Happy New Year and good luck in your academic endeavours!

  • New Year’s Resolution Ideas – Never Too Late to Start

    New Year’s Resolution Ideas – Never Too Late to Start

    By Maryam Sheikh

    As 2025 comes to a close, you might be wondering – how do I make the most of 2026? What types of goals and resolutions should I set for myself? Moreover, how can I make sure that I stick to my goals? In this article, I’ll share some resolution ideas as well as how to make sure that by the time February rolls around, you are happy with the progress you have made on your goals.

    First, it is important to think about what types of goals matter the most to you. There is an infinite number of ways to grow as a person through setting and achieving goals, so it is up to you to define what means the most to you. Here are some examples to help you get started.

    1. Your health: This year, focus on forming healthy habits. Work with your family to come up with balanced, healthy, and yummy meal options. To search out healthy alternatives to junk food, go grocery shopping with your parents and explore your options. Each week, research online and incorporate a new vegetable or fruit into your meals. Set aside one night a week for a family food night. The possibilities are endless!
    2. Read! Grab your friends and make a trip to your local library. Set a reading goal for yourself; for example, try to read one book a month. Check out new releases or old-time favourites and form a book club with your friends and family. To keep track of your reading, log in a book diary and rate your reads. This is a sure way to learn new things, increase your vocabulary, and have fun!
    3. Screen time: Take some time this year to unplug! While playing video games, watching TV, and chatting online might be fun, it is important to create a healthy balance and monitor your technology use. Set aside an hour or two per day for your screen time and use your other spare time to find new hobbies. Play board games, learn a new sport, start baking, or spend time with family and friends.
    4. Community service: In 2020, focus on growing your character. Practice kind actions in your household, at school, and with your friends. If you see bullying happening around you, step up and help others in need. Speak to your parents about volunteering at a local animal shelter, cleaning up trash at a park, or volunteering at a soup kitchen. There are many ways to get involved in your community!

    Try setting your goals with friends or family so that you can keep yourself and others motivated. If you fall off track, dust yourself off and keep moving in the right direction. If it helps, create logs or journals to reflect on at the end of your days or weeks. I hope that by the end of the year, you are happy with the new habits you have formed. Wishing you a happy and successful new year!

  • Des idées pour tirer le maximum des vacances de Noël

    Les vacances de Noël sont impatiemment attendues par beaucoup d’étudiants (et d’enseignants) après un semestre stressant ou trois premiers mois agités de l’année scolaire. Les gens s’enthousiasment aussi pour fêter des occasions, y compris Noël, la nouvelle année ainsi que d’autres qui sont célébrés à ce moment-ci de l’année. Bien qu’elles soient d’excellentes sources de plaisir, il existe également d’autres façons de maximiser ces vacances.

    Voici quelques conseils pour tirer le maximum de vos vacances de Noël :

    Participez à tout ce qui implique du bien-être personnel

    Les gens sont souvent épuisés lorsqu’arrivent les vacances de Noël, surtout quand vous êtes étudiant d’université. C’est pourquoi c’est très important de prendre soin de vous et de vous ressourcer avant que les cours ne reprennent en janvier. Faites tout ce qui vous aide à vous détendre. Un bon choix (si vous fêtez Noël) est de regarder vos films ou émissions télé de Noël préférés ainsi que certains que vous n’avez jamais visionnés. Cela pourrait vous aider à entrer dans l’ambiance de Noël.

    Prendre soin de soi signifie également d’éviter les choses stressantes. Bien que les vacances puissent être amusantes, elles demandent beaucoup de préparation et d’organisation d’activités, d’achats de cadeaux, de décorations, etc., que de nombreuses personnes trouvent assez épuisantes. Donc, n’hésitez pas à vous reposer chaque fois que vous le souhaitez. Par exemple, disons que quelqu’un vous invite à assister à un évènement auquel vous n’avez pas envie d’aller ou vous vous sentez trop fatigué, refusez poliment. Si cette personne vous connaît ou est prévenante, elle comprendra. Ceux qui s’estiment des gens qui veulent plaire à tout le monde trouveront cela difficile, mais chacun devrait privilégier son propre bien-être.

    Passez des moments agréables avec vos proches

    Passez de bons moments avec vos proches pendant ces vacances. Beaucoup le font pendant des réunions familiales, y compris le repas de Noël. Cela se rapporte également aux amis. Vous pourriez aller quelque part (tant en restant en sécurité) où des membres de votre famille ou des amis veulent aller. Si vous préférez rester à l’intérieur, des jeux au thème de Noël comme « Noël canadien » et « White elephant » ou divers jeux de société qui sont de bonnes manières de rassembler les gens.

    Reprenez votre passe-temps (ou découvrez-vous-en un nouveau)

    Maintenant que vous avez un peu de temps libres, faites des choses que vous aimez. Y a-t-il des passe-temps qui vous manquaient ou que vous aviez envisagé d’essayer ? Y a-t-il un projet personnel que vous avez abandonné temporairement parce que vous aviez d’autres priorités ?

    Essayez de recontacter des membres de votre famille ou des amis de longue date

    C’est courant de se perdre de vue après de longues périodes de temps, surtout si chacun a une vie chargée. Comme ces vacances sont souvent liées aux rassemblements, envisagez de contacter une personne que vous n’avez pas vue depuis un bon moment. Y a-t-il quelqu’un qui vous a manqué et que vous aimeriez revoir ? Reprendre contact pourrait contribuer à améliorer et rendre plus épanouissante votre vie sociale.

    En fin de compte, les vacances de Noël sont un bon moment pour participer à des évènements uniques et à créer de nouveaux souvenirs. Par le divertissement, les vacances pourraient être également utilisées pour vous reconnecter avec vous-même et voir ce dont vous avez besoin, que ce soit du temps pour vous ou vous assurer de prendre du repos. Si vous suivez les conseils mentionnés plus haut, vous tirerez le maximum de vos vacances de Noël.

  • Being an Entrepreneur

    Being an Entrepreneur

    When people are young, they might dream of the freedom that they will have as adults. For some of them, part of that dream might be to become an entrepreneur, living a risky but exciting life with a lot of freedom but also responsibility. Although entrepreneurship can be very satisfying, it involves risks that people should consider before they begin that life.

    The first thing to consider is the difference between an entrepreneur and a freelancer. Working as a freelancer can often lead people to become entrepreneurs, but they can be two very different things. Basically, a freelancer has no official employer but instead works for many different people, whether the work is pet care, house painting, or something completely different.

    An entrepreneur builds a company and often employs other people to work there. A freelance dog walker, for example, would go to different places and take the dogs out, but an entrepreneur might organize the schedule and hire others to do the actual pet care. Often, entrepreneurs ask people to invest money in the company, and they get a portion of the profits.

    People can be entrepreneurs in almost any area of work. They might help others buy and sell houses, start a restaurant, or even run a dental office. The hours can be very long, and the amount of money they make depends on how successful they are. If you want a regular schedule and dependable pay, the life of an entrepreneur is probably not for you.

    Being an entrepreneur can also be very stressful. There can be tight deadlines to finish projects, and other people’s jobs often depend on the entrepreneur’s abilities. As the business becomes established, entrepreneurs can take more time off, but the first few years or even longer can be very busy.

    Why would anyone become an entrepreneur with all of the stress and hard work that it involves? This type of work can be very exciting, and it can pay well for people with good ideas and the ability to work hard. Entrepreneurs generally have a lot of freedom to choose their own hours, and once the business is going well, they can decide how much of the work they want to do themselves. They can take holidays whenever it works for them, and they can move on to another project when they want.

    Some people are well-suited to being entrepreneurs. The ability to talk with other people and to persuade them to invest in the company is essential to entrepreneurs, making this type of work very difficult for shy people. However, almost anyone can learn to give presentations and to talk to investors, as long as they can manage the stress.

    Two very important aspects of being an entrepreneur are patience and persistence. Starting a business can be a very slow process, and it can take years before an entrepreneur will really be successful. If you want to be an entrepreneur, the best place to start might be freelancing in an area that you would like to pursue later. Then, if you have a great idea for a new business, you’ll already be a step ahead of others.

    Bibliography:

    Entrepreneur.com. “Entrepreneurship vs. Freelancing: What’s the Difference?” https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/285804.

    Future of Working.co. “8 Advantages and Disadvantages of Entrepreneurship.” https://futureofworking.com/8-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-entrepreneurship/.

    First Institute. “The Good and Bad of Being an Entrepreneur: The Pros and Cons Explained.” https://www.first.edu/the-good-and-bad-of-being-an-entrepreneur-pros-and-cons-explained/.

  • Career Profile: Locksmith (French version available)

    If you have ever locked your keys in your house or need to install a new lock on a door, chances are you would have to call a locksmith.  These professionals are experts in knowing how to install, repair, pick to unlock, and remove all different types of locks, including both key and pin locks and electronic locks for commercial and residential use.

    Locksmiths usually attend a college program to learn the basics of locksmithing and earn a diploma or certificate.  This can be followed up with an apprenticeship to learn the real ins and outs of working in the trade.  In some provinces, taking an apprenticeship is mandatory, while in others it is optional.  Be sure to do your research and find out everything you need to have in order to work as a locksmith in your province.

    During a locksmithing college program, you will learn how to install and fix both key and electronic locks, how to identify different keys and locking mechanisms, as well as the basics of electronic alarm systems, automotive locks, and how to operate a key duplication machine.  Locksmiths will also learn how to assess a building for security and how to make recommendations for security solutions.

    If you do not live in a town with a college campus where you can attend in person, many colleges now offer the courses you need for a lockpicking diploma through online learning.  This means that you can enroll in the program remotely and study at home by accessing the course materials over the Internet.  This is a good solution for students who live in remote communities or who do not want to move to a new city in order to attend college.

    Most locksmiths begin working with an established company, but between a college program and apprenticeship experience, you will also learn how to begin your own locksmithing business in the future.  In Canada, whether you need to complete a test and earn a professional license will depend on which province you live in.  Alberta, for example, requires all locksmiths to have a professional license; however, other provinces may not have this requirement.

    A professional locksmith typically earns between $15.61 an hour for early-career stage up to around $30.41 an hour for a more experienced worker.  Salaries can range between $33,000 and $74,000 per year.  The number of hours you work will vary depending on where you work.  For example, a locksmith working for a hardware store or other business with regular open and close times can rely on having a predictable schedule.

    If you own and operate your own locksmith business, however, you can expect hours to be more variable, as well as sometimes incorporating on-call services for emergencies outside of regular business hours.  This can include working in the middle of the night, on weekends, and on holidays.  However, locksmiths can often charge a premium rate to accommodate these kinds of work requests.

    Sources:

    https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Locksmith/Hourly_Rate

    https://careertrend.com/how-6740001-become-locksmith-canada.html

  • A Closer Look at a Career as a Travel Agent

    A Closer Look at a Career as a Travel Agent

    There’s a famous travel quote by St. Augustine that you probably have seen on social media or retail establishments: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”

    Travel is an activity that has expanded due to the convenience and efficiency of making travel bookings, thanks in part to internet technology. However, even with numerous apps or software related to travel, a lot of people still rely on travel agents to help them with their travel packages. After all, it’s always best to hear recommendations straight from the horse’s mouth and experience wonderful customer service at the same time.

    If you enjoy travelling and have a know-how for historical landmarks and tourist sites, and would like to harness this passion and knowledge and help customers, being a travel agent is something you can consider as a career. Read on more about this to find out.

    Travel Agents – What You Need to Know

    Travel agents are mainly responsible for assisting individuals or groups with planning and booking their travel. Their tasks encompass facilitating ticket purchases from airlines, reserving accommodations and restaurants, arranging for pick up and transport or for car rentals, and itinerary preparation for guided tours so customers can go to locations of interest in a particular area.

    Travel agents should also have general travel knowledge as customers will rely on them to establish a holistic travel experience, so this means they would not only help in making the travel arrangements and selecting guided tours for their customers, but they also have to consider their customers’ shopping and food preferences, as well as other distinct needs, that meet their expectations.

    While formal education is not required to be a travel agent, it is an advantage to complete travel- or tourism-related programs in vocational schools or community colleges and work for travel agencies with accreditation from the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies or ACTA. Acquiring professional designations such as a Certified Travel Counsellor or a Certified Travel Manager can also be a huge boost.

    Salary

    According to PayScale.com, a travel agent can earn an average of $30,000 to $58,000 per year. In some cases, they can also earn bonuses and commissions for the clients they book.

    Skills

    To flourish in this field, travel agents will need to have impeccable organizational and coordination skills since they will have to be in constant contact with various service providers like airline companies or cruise lines to secure travel arrangements for customers.

    It is also an advantage to have excellent communication skills to be able to clearly explain to customers their different options in travel packages.

    Pros and Cons

    A career as a travel agent is incredibly fresh and interesting as you’ll get to learn about fascinating places and amazing cultures, and use your resourcefulness to create customized travel bookings for your customers.

    Because of their high demand, travel agents are usually asked to work on weekends and even on holidays to ensure that customers who are interested in travel bookings are accommodated. In some cases, travel agents are on call so they can assist customers who run into issues during their travel. This part of the job can be stressful to some, as they will have to attend to the call no matter what time of day or night it is and ensure that the issues are addressed and resolved.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Travel_Agent/Salary

    https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/i-want-to-be-a-travel-agent-what-will-my-salary-be/article21113160/

  • Why Libraries Are Still the Best Place to Hang Out

    Why Libraries Are Still the Best Place to Hang Out

    With the multitude of advantages that technology offers these days—from online movie or TV show streaming to eBooks—it’s not unusual to come across individuals with the misguided notion that libraries are a thing of the past. On the contrary, in Canada, libraries are thriving more than ever from their humble beginnings. The first library ever recorded in the country dates back to 1606 in Port Royal in Quebec City to a scholar and advocate named Marc Lescarbot. By the 18th and 19th centuries, libraries were maintained in settlements, fur trade, or military posts in various locations, including Vancouver Island, Fort Chipewyan in Alberta, and Halifax in Nova Scotia.

    Today, a total of 16,332 libraries nationwide exist based on the statistics compiled by the National Statistics Profile of Canadian Libraries. This figure includes national and public libraries, as well as university, college, and school libraries. Libraries are not merely for booklovers anymore since Canadian libraries have come a long way, especially public libraries. In fact, according to researchers from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, the country has actually one of the best public library systems in the world based on a study of libraries in 30 major cities. Three Canadian cities ranked in the Top 10. Here’s a look at why your local library is a cool spot to hang out.

    No surprise here—they have tons and tons of books within your reach!

    Of course, libraries were established in the first place to hold books and make them available to the public, and books are still their most valuable commodity. According to a 2011 research conducted by the Online Computer Library Centre (OCLC), an American non-profit cooperative organization, for 2010, there were a staggering 2,100,000 books borrowed from Canadian public libraries, which is twice as many books bought from bookstores. And libraries can also help you save on movie tickets as they offer loads of DVDs of movies (as well as TV shows) which are available for borrowing too.

    They embrace technology.

    While books in their traditional format will always have a special place in the hearts of libraries, they know that it pays to be receptive to new technology. They recognize the public’s ever-growing preference for digital reading materials and thus offer books in electronic formats with the help of online or cloud-based library service providers like Bibliotheca, which has a collection of 60,000 audiobooks in its system and over 100,000 eBooks from major publishers. The demand for audiobooks has indeed grown dramatically over the last few years.

    They offer free Internet.

    While most Canadian households these days have Internet access at home, some individuals prefer to go online in libraries, and thus, people tinkering away on their laptops or MacBooks is a common sight. Some are students like you who want to stay focused on school work and avoid all possible distractions at home, while some are individuals who simply want to surf the Net without any disturbances. Those with no laptops or MacBooks need not fret since Canadian libraries offer over 8,500 Internet workstations, which are used over 18 million times annually. Some also provide photocopying, scanning, and printing services.

    They offer many fun activities.

    Libraries these days also offer a variety of worthwhile activities that truly engage a wide audience. These include book discussions, programming or coding workshops, computer classes, 3D printing classes, language classes, film showings, storytelling, author talks, arts and crafts workshops, poetry readings, and a slew of others. Some even hold art exhibits or galleries, like the TD Gallery at Toronto Reference Library in Ontario. Libraries are also committed to celebrating with Canadians during popular holidays. For instance, this year, the Newfoundland and Labrador libraries launched a “blind date with local authors” by making books covered in brown paper available for borrowing to mark Valentine’s Day.

    They provide community services.

    Another advantage that public libraries offer these days is community services like newcomer or settlement services and employment services. According to OCLC, every month, 204,000 Canadians seek help at their public library for job search, while 76,000 business owners and employees use public library resources to support their small businesses. In addition, public libraries offer free use of private rooms that provide the ideal atmosphere for study groups, business meetings, conferences, and negotiations. For example, the Central Library in Halifax is a popular spot for entrepreneurs to meet with potential investors for coffee, and the ambiance is conducive to sealing the deal.

    After reading this, hopefully you’re now convinced that your local library offers more than books and you’ll drop by sooner than later.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/07/06/why-the-toronto-public-library-cant-buy-some-of-canadas-top-audiobooks.html

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/public-library-love-1.4508273

    https://www.macleans.ca/society/how-public-libraries-are-reinventing-themselves-for-the-21st-century/

    https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/stephanie-duncan/reasons-to-love-libraries_a_23526299/

    https://harvest.usask.ca/bitstream/handle/10388/334/Public_Libraries_Canada_VWilson.pdf?sequence=1

    https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/libraries

    http://cla.ca/wp-content/uploads/National-Statistics-Profile.pdf

    https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jun/15/risotto-robotics-and-virtual-reality-how-canada-created-the-worlds-best-libraries