Current Affairs

Government Publications to go paperless by 2014

May 7, 2012 | Nicole | Comments (3)

  Government of Canada Publications recently announced the decision "to completely transition all publications published by the Publishing Program and publications provided by departments to the Depository Services Program from traditional print to exclusively electronic publication in two years." This announcement marks a shift in the official position of the government with respect to their […]

End of an Era for Encyclopedia Britannica

March 16, 2012 | Richard | Comments (1)

The announcement this week that the 2010 print edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica would be its last caused a flurry of media interest. Most commentators expressed regret, but weren’t surprised by the decision. The publishers of Britannica, as well as those of many other  encyclopedias and reference guides, have been moving to digital versions for […]

Jump In! – The Water’s Fine [no, really, it’s fine]

June 16, 2011 | Richard | Comments (2)

Are you one of those Torontonians who are willing to drive for hours for the pleasure of diving into a cool, clean Canadian lake? How would you feel if you knew that you could have the same experience for the price of a token? Yes, I'm talking about taking a trip to one of Toronto's […]

Royal Wedding Screening at Toronto Reference Library

April 28, 2011 | Natalia | Comments (0)

We may not be serving up tea, scones and clotted cream, but if you cannot face waking up at 3 am for the festivities across the pond, please feel free to drop by the Toronto Reference Library on Friday April 29th from 1-3 pm for our coverage of the Royal Wedding of England’s Prince William […]

From the Old Silk Road to Modern Times: China’s Path

April 28, 2011 | Barbara Myrvold | Comments (1)

     China is a rising power, it's indisputable.  The contrasts between modern China and old, rural China are astonishing.  The post-modern architecture of Shanghai demonstrates the tremendous growth of China's economy.  The contrast with poverty in the countryside is striking, and speaks to the challenges of China's economic, social and political development.     Professor […]

Bob Rae and Democracy

February 14, 2011 | Nicole | Comments (1)

"Today Canada is in the world and the world is in Canada. We are not an ideal showcase, but there is much in what we have learned from our history that makes our experience matter.  As the world gets more connected and attempts to reconcile conflicting concepts of war, peace, international law and sovereignty continue, […]

Stayin’ Alive: Michael Adams @ the Thought Exchange

January 25, 2011 | Barbara Myrvold | Comments (1)

"If I were to be zapped by a Vespa jaywalking across Bloor Street today, I would be happy to have ended my authorial career with this book," Michael Adams says.  "If I manage to dodge that Vespa, then I will continue to work for the rest of my life as long as it does not […]

New Ways of Looking at Our City

January 13, 2011 | Angjelin | Comments (1)

Most of us have our own idea of what Our Toronto is, whether we grew up here or chose Toronto over other cities. We’ve been hearing the phrase “Three Cities Within Toronto”, and more recently, “Vertical Poverty”.  What does this mean? Prof. J. David Hulchanski and others have long been interested in housing and income […]

The Big Picture

December 17, 2010 | Natalia | Comments (3)

Photojournalism has it roots in the mid-19th century and the Boston Globe's photo series published over the last three days emphasizes that this art form still flourishes across the globe. The Big Picture, 120 photographs, published over three days is now complete and available to view online. Take a look at just a few of […]

The Perfect Mayor

October 5, 2010 | Richard | Comments (0)

When you cast your ballot on Monday October 25th, what will you be looking for in a mayor? The Urban Affairs Library has created a display of campaign literature from winning Toronto mayoral candidates over the past 40 years and it is fascinating to see what successful mayors listed as the qualities they could bring […]