Today in The Conversation Canada, Paulette Rothbauer, from Western University, writes about how reading and books help us develop our capacity for empathy, critical thinking and reflection, and may even lead to a longer life. The public library, she points out, is central to nurturing reading and connecting readers to new books and ideas. Public libraries may have fishing rods, musical instruments and radon detectors to borrow, but let’s not forget that they also have books!

We also look at the business of fast-fashion and whether it’s compatible with a climate crisis. Large brands are introducing recycling and sustainable fabrics to their lines, but the fashion industry still lays claim to eight per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Will they really change their ways?

Have you noticed how pharmacies have changed over the decades? Pharmacists aren’t only dispensing medications, they’re also selling retail products like food and cosmetics. Some even provide vaccines or interpret lab results. Not only has it been good for the bottom line, it’s also been good for patients.

Finally, we take a look at voter turnout during elections. During the 2015 election, a little more than 68 per cent of eligible voters cast a vote. That’s an improvement over recent years, but nowhere near the participation seen in the 60s and 70s. Ofer Berenstein, from the University of Calgary, looks at how campaigns can engage the occasional voter.