World Philosophy Day, introduced by UNESCO in 2002, is recognized annually on November 21. World Philosophy Day celebrates the continued importance and role of philosophy in human endeavor. Philosophy is the wellspring of our intellectual culture and curiosity, and from where the special sciences emerged. More than ever, philosophy is needed to help us connect […]
Tucked away in the manuscript collections of the Toronto Reference Library Marilyn & Charles Baillie Special Collections Centre is a treasure trove of letters and manuscripts written by Canada's literary "in crowd" of the early 20th century. There are files of hand-written correspondence, poems and short stories by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Mazo de la Roche, Marjorie Pickthall, […]
On Friday November 8, the second session of the start-up Biographies! Book Club will feature Sarah Parcak’s 2019 book entitled "Archaeology from Space: How the Future shapes our Past." Come to the Discussion Room on the 3rd floor of the Toronto Reference Library from 2-3:30 pm and share your thoughts and opinions about how the future shapes […]
Fairy tale retellings are one of my favourite types of story. That's why I'm thrilled that Gregory Maguire will be giving a lecture on Thursday November 14, 2019, at the Lillian H. Smith Branch. Hosted by the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books, this is the 32nd Annual Helen E. Stubbs Memorial Lecture. Space is […]
Free movies, free programs, free classes. All at the Toronto Reference Library. Click on each image to enlarge or Download The November 2019 Toronto Reference Library Calendar(PDF). For a full listing to browse or search, visit our Programs, Classes and Exhibits.
This post reproduces parts of the exhibit, Plum Blossom from the Bitter Cold: Selections from the Chinese Canadian Archive. Below is the main wall text from the exhibit and a small sample of exhibit items. The exhibit was on display in TD Gallery at the Toronto Reference Library from August 17 to October 27, 2019. Plum Blossom From […]
Last week was the wrap-up of the Creating WordPress Websites for Entrepreneurs learning circle. A learning circle is an approach to learning that has evolved to bridge some of the shortcomings of the ever-evolving and growing presence of distance education. I'd like to share some of the lessons and stories that made it a worthwhile experience […]
Anyone who has explored Toronto Island beyond Centre Island's roller coasters and picnic facilities is likely to have been surprised and charmed by the residential areas on Wards and Algonquin Island. The history of the Island is the subject of a new documentary that covers everything from its geological origins until the successful conclusion in […]
The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy is proud to host this year’s Black Speculative Arts Movement (BSAM) Toronto Convention. Please join us there at Lillian H. Smith branch on Saturday, October 12, from 1-5 pm. This special event will feature a panel discussion, live music, cosplay, workshops, book signings and more. The […]
Come join us for our first Biographies! Book Club on October 4th from 2 to 3:30 pm in the Discussion Room on the 3rd floor of the Toronto Reference Library for a discussion of the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Whether it is a movie, television show, or a book, I usually look […]