Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) is a three-way collaboration between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Toronto Public Library and seven local settlement agencies. Staff from the settlement agencies, also known as LSP Workers, support newcomers as they settle in a new city by offering one-on-one services and group programs in fifteen library branches.

We interviewed Iryna, an LSP Worker, to learn more about her and her work serving newcomers in a library setting. This interview has been edited for length.

Iryna at the LSP desk at a library branch

What is a typical day for you, or is there a typical day?

What I like about LSP is that you never know what is going to happen. Of course, there are things like emails and one-on-one appointments, but you never know when someone appears what kind of question they will bring. Sometimes you help with printing some applications, but other times you have to go deeper and do the research and find the contacts. And when you have the group programs, these are full of interesting things: the group dynamic, the people, you can see the results, you can'teach something new, you can give some information. And you have the people just happy to come to the same place and do something together. You can feel this connection.

What drew you to this career?

I’ve been helping people and working in non-governmental organizations for more than ten years. In Ukraine, I used to work with internally-displaced people, mostly youth and children. When I moved to Canada, one year and a half ago, the first place where we lived, was just in front of the library. It was Downsview and the first week, we went to the library to get the library card. I saw they have the Digital Innovation Hub, and they had the settlement worker there as well. I was like, “Okay, this is a nice place and this is so cool.” I started to go to the workshops like 3-D printing or book presentations. And then I started to search on the [TPL] website and I saw there’re so many possibilities! When my cousin sent me the [job] vacancy from a settlement agency and there was settlement service in libraries, I was like, ‘Wow!’ I had no idea what settlement service is before coming to Canada but I understood that was what I was actually doing back in Ukraine when I worked with internally-displaced people. We didn’t know the name — we were just helping people.

What is your favourite part of the job?

I think the group programs, definitely. You have to develop the idea and usually my ideas come from clients. For example, we had a lot of Ukrainians who needed English sessions, and I started the English Reading Club because they needed to read and they needed someone who can explain to them in their language why is it this way or that way. Or information sessions — all my information sessions are based on requests. We also do these sessions about recreation in Toronto because I really like to discover new places, and then I started to share it. Not many people know about all the possibilities which are free or low-cost: how to travel if you don’t have a car, how to see new places, how to get free tickets to the museums. We compiled all these tips and tricks about recreation in Toronto and it’s very popular. After the group programs, I always have new clients coming with returning clients. Because they know that if I don’t know something, I know someone who knows.

What’s also cool about LSP is that we have many, many workers who speak different languages, with different backgrounds. And I think it’s one of the wonderful things. So if you don’t speak this language, we can always refer to someone else from our organization or from another organization. Whoever would like to come and benefit from the library settlement services, we cannot promise we can do everything, but at least we can help to do the next steps.

What is one library resource that you like to share with newcomers?

The most popular is tpl:map, of course. But also people don’t know about e-learning and the courses online. Mango Languages or the IELTS preparation is very useful. They are looking somewhere else, but you have everything online on the TPL website! Just recently, I started to share a lot about additional services like the recording studios. And the Fabrication Studio — that is something that is not obvious and something that people [do] not associate with the library. But if I have to choose one, I think it is tpl:map.

Iryna in the biographies section at a library branch

LSP Workers support newcomers by offering one-on-one help as well as in-person and online programs. Online LSP programs take place via a third-party platform and settlement workers can provide guidance on using these platforms. Contact LSP Workers directly to learn more about the assistance they can provide, both in-person and remotely.

Learn more about other members of the LSP team:

• 2023: Paulomi
• 2022: Enas

Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

This October, Toronto Public Library (TPL) and settlement agency partners celebrate 16 years of Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP). LSP expands TPL's newcomer services by offering settlement support with multilingual workers from seven local settlement agencies at 15 library locations.

A settlement worker answers questions about settlement services at a community information fair.

LSP Week

From October 10-21, celebrate LSP Week with us. This annual celebration, which coincides with Ontario Public Library Week, recognizes successful partnerships between libraries and settlement agency partners. This year's theme is "Build Connections," highlighting need to rebuild personal and social connections following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our communities. 

Library branches across the city are hosting a variety of in-person events to celebrate LSP Week, including:

• A concert featuring the Toronto Si-Zhu Chinese Music Ensemble at Toronto Reference Library on Thursday, October 12, 1:30-3:30 pm
• An opportunity for youth to connect and learn about community resources at Thorncliffe Branch on Thursday, October 12, 4-5 pm
• A community information fair at Agincourt Branch on Thursday, October 19, 3-5:30 pm

Everyone is welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

Learn more about previous years' LSP celebrations:

• 2022: Health and Well-Being
• 2021: We Belong
• 2019: Thankfulness
• 2018: LSP's 10th Anniversary
• 2017: Celebration 150+
• 2016: Dance from Around the World
• 2015: Music from Around the World
• 2014: Food from Around the World

Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) Workers are staff from seven local settlement agencies who offer dedicated newcomer support at fifteen library branches. Well-informed LSP Workers offer both one-on-one services and group programs to assist newcomers as they adjust to life in Toronto.

We interviewed Paulomi, an LSP Worker, to learn more about her and her work serving newcomers in a library setting. This interview has been edited for length.

Paulomi assisting a customer

What is a typical day for you, or is there a typical day?

Every work day is different, but I start with checking my messages and emails and responding to them. Each day, I usually see one or two new clients and three or four returning clients. I help newcomers and their families with their many needs with finding information about education, employment opportunities, immigration and housing. But I also help to connect people to food banks or assist with applications for child benefits or visas. Most days when I arrive at the branch, someone is waiting to talk to me. Every day is busy, but I can see that people are in high need and I am happy to help.

How long have you been working in settlement services?

I have been working in settlement services for fifteen years. I spent one year as a counsellor for violence prevention. And then for the last fourteen years I’ve been a settlement worker at the library. I’m sure some people are wondering, "Why has she been here for so long?" It feels like I’m at home when I’m here.

What drew you to this career?

I’m an internationally-trained teacher, and I used to be a supply teacher. While at a school, I met a school settlement worker, and she was the one who encouraged me to enter into this career and suggested I attend training for assistant settlement workers.

When I came to Canada and landed at the airport, I received a package with information about settlement.org and 211. I spent my first three months reading everything I could find about settlement and citizenship, so the training program was a refresher. When I began working in the sector, my whole mindset of settlement work was challenged. My migration experience to Canada had been different but I was learning first-hand that people face so many barriers to overcome when they are newcomers.

What do you like about working in a library setting?

As a student, I loved going to my university library and the British Library in my home country – but I had to pay to use the library. When I came to Canada, I hesitated to visit the library because I was concerned about fees. But I went to my local library branch and realized everything was free. I thought, "I like this environment." Libraries in my home country were not accessible to all and our libraries only had books, whereas libraries in Canada have much more to offer.

TPL offers services like Book-a-Librarian where people can focus on what they want to learn, and  free Wi-Fi. These are services that no other library system would offer [in other parts of the world].

The library holds a wealth of knowledge, and newcomers need to seek knowledge to successfully integrate into Canadian society. Toronto Public Library creates a family-oriented space that is welcoming to every individual. It is a place where all family members can come together regardless of age. There is something for everyone.

What is your favourite part of the job?

My favourite part of my job is helping people and putting a big smile on their faces. I want to uplift the spirits of newcomers by giving them confidence and letting them know that they can overcome barriers.

With LSP and the library, we serve everyone irrespective of status. In other organizations, services are available for newcomers based on funding limitations. Our doors and services are open to everyone.

And the library staff are so knowledgeable and empathetic. They listen to all the patrons who come in with different needs and they help them. We work together, hand-in-hand, for the community despite the fact that I am from a different organization. I am a part of the library family, and I want to express my gratitude to all the staff there.

Paulomi and a happy customer

In addition to individual appointments, LSP Workers support newcomers by offering in-person and online programs. Online LSP programs take place via a third-party platform and settlement workers can provide guidance on using these platforms. Contact LSP Workers directly to learn more about the help they can provide, both in-person and remotely.

If you missed it, check out our Interview with LSP Worker Enas from 2022.

Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Celebrate Toronto Newcomer Day with us on Thursday, May 25 at Nathan Phillips Square from 10 am to 3 pm. This annual event welcomes newcomers to Toronto and recognizes their many contributions to the city.

This year, the event features a number of free activities including live entertainment, a Newcomer Marketplace, an information fair and a food fair.

Special program

Music lovers and history buffs can check out “The History of Caribbean Music in Toronto” presented by author, music historian and cultural critic, Klive Walker. This presentation takes place at our City Hall branch at 10:30 am. Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance.

Media featuring Caribbean artists (Photo credit: Klive Walker)

Visit our tent

Find out what the library has to offer you! Visit us at the TPL tent at Nathan Phillips Square on Toronto Newcomer Day. We'll help you get a free library card and let you know about our many resources, including:

• Books, movies, music, and digital content in over 40 different languages
• English language learning resources
• Free computer access
• Canadian citizenship test preparation
• Settlement assistance at library branches

Mark May 25 in your calendar. We hope to see you on Toronto Newcomer Day!

Connect with a Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) Worker

The library has settlement workers who offer one-on-one help and group programs to assist newcomers with important topics such as searching for a job, getting a driver’s license, learning English and much more. Contact LSP Workers directly to learn more about the help they can provide, both in-person and remotely.

In-person LSP programs take place at library branches, while online LSP programs take place via a third-party platform. Settlement workers can provide guidance on using these platforms. Here are some upcoming programs:

Online language support

1) English Conversation Circle: Steps to English Fluency and Discover Canada

• Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 – 5:30 pm
• For full details or to register, visit https://newcomersincanada.ca/ or email Dasha.Arutiunova@ymcagta.org for a detailed registration link

2) IELTS Preparation Series

• Hosted by LSP Partner Centre for Immigrant & Community Services
• Tuesdays from May 9 to May 30, 2023 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm
• For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at 416-707-8259

In-person language support

If you are looking for a supportive environment to practise your English or French skills in-person, you may be interested in the Library’s English and French Conversation Circles. These are informal and friendly spaces where you can improve your language skills and make friends too.

Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

If you are new to Toronto and unsure of where to go for settlement help, you may want to stop into your local branch of the Toronto Public Library (TPL). Library staff can help register you for a free library card and answer your questions. They can also refer you to experienced settlement workers at select library branches or to local community agencies.

You may not know this but TPL works with 7 local settlement agencies and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to offer dedicated newcomer help at 14 library branches. This is called Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) and agency staff who work at library branches are known as LSP Workers.

Knowledgeable LSP Workers offer both one-on-one assistance and group programs to assist newcomers on their settlement journey. They can help you find more information about searching for a job, getting a driver’s license, learning English and much more. At this time, they offer both in-person and remote services but you can always confirm which services are available by contacting them directly.

LSP Workers continue to support newcomers by offering online programs and are resuming some in-person programs. Online LSP programs take place via a third-party platform and settlement workers can provide guidance on using these platforms. In-person programs take place at library branches. Here are some upcoming programs:

Online Programs

1) English Conversation Circle: Steps to English Fluency and Discover Canada

• Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 – 5:30 pm
• For full details or to register, please visit www.newcomersincanada.ca or email Dasha.Arutiunova@ymcagta.org for a detailed registration link.

2) Personal Taxation in Canada

• Hosted by LSP partner CICS
• Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 6 – 7:30 pm
• For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at 416-707-8259

In-Person Programs

1) Art Through You: Creative Programs for Newcomer Youth

• Hosted by LSP partner CultureLink
• Wednesdays from February 8 to March 29, 2023 from 6 – 8 pm
• For full details or to register, contact Iryna at 647-273-2097

2) Adapting to Life in Canada for Ukrainian Newcomers

• Hosted by LSP partner CultureLink
• Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 5:30 – 8 pm
• For full details or to register, contact Iryna at 647-273-2097

Toronto Public Library Resources

If you’re looking for language learning support, we have many resources to help. These resources are all free with your library card!

Books

Reading is a great way to improve our language skills and vocabulary. And research shows that reading fiction and reading for enjoyment is associated with better language skills. So pick something to read that excites and interests you!

Dual Language Books

Dual language books feature two languages throughout the book. TPL has several books that combine English text with another language. In many books, the story is written in English on one side of the open book and the other side will have the same story written in a second language such as Arabic or German.

Readers of all ages can enjoy these books. Some language learners may find it easier to remember new words or phrases if they can connect them to a story they already know.

Náhuatl Stories by Pablo González Casanova in Spanish and English

Boy Dumplings by Ying Chang Compestine in Chinese and English

Rapid Reads

Rapid Reads is a series of short novels for adult readers who are learning English or those who want a great story but don’t have the time to read a lengthy novel. This series also features short novels by well-known authors such as Richard Wagamese, Gail Bowen, and Gail Anderson-Dargatz.

The Rapid Reads series is available in print and also as e-books and e-audiobooks through OverDrive.

The Next Sure Thing by Richard Wagamese

From Scratch by Gail Anderson-Dargatz

PRACE Pageturners

PRACE Pageturners are easy to read books, offered at different reading levels, for English as a Second Language (ESL) learners or literacy students. This series is written by experienced ESL teachers in Australia. PRACE stands for Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education, which is based in Melbourne, Australia.

These books include follow-up exercises and discussion topics if you’re looking to share a book with your conversation circle or reading circle.

A Handful of Sand by Chris Malakar

Running With Boats by Ann Dunn

Digital Resources

The library also offers online support for language learning that you can access anytime you like – you will just need to have internet access and your active TPL library card. Here are some popular resources:

Mango Languages

Mango Languages offers language courses in more than 70 languages and includes English language courses as well. It may be helpful for language learners to find that the English courses are designed for students with a different first language such as Hmong, Mandarin, Turkish and many others.

If it is your first time using Mango Languages, we have a handy getting started guide available online.

Tense Buster

Anyone looking to improve their grammar will find Tense Buster to be a helpful tool. Tense Buster offers grammar lessons and practice tests for all levels and even includes tips to improve reading, writing and speaking skills.

If you create an optional personal account, you’ll be able to track your progress as you work through the lessons. Use our getting started guide to learn more about using Tense Buster.

Brainfuse Adult Learning Centre

You may have heard of Brainfuse if you have a child or teen at home. Brainfuse offers online homework help for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 and provides free access to professional tutors from 2 pm to 11 pm every day (excluding public holidays).

Did you know that Brainfuse also has a dedicated section for adults called the Adult Learning Centre (ALC)? The ALC is where you can find live tutoring help for yourself (from 2 pm to 11 pm), career resources, tools to help you prepare for the Canadian Citizenship test, assistance from experts with your writing and more. You will need to create a free account to use some of these features.

We hope that you will find these resources to be useful. If you need help finding additional support for language learning, please speak to library staff or an LSP Worker – we are here to help!

This October, Toronto Public Library (TPL) and the settlement agencies celebrate 15 years of Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP). LSP expands TPL’s newcomer services by offering settlement support with multilingual workers from 7 local settlement agencies at 14 library locations. LSP is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

All LSP locations now offer in-person one-on-one information and referral. Please make an appointment with a settlement worker.

This fall, LSP settlement workers continue to offer online programs. These programs are taking place on a third-party online platform. The settlement workers can help walk you through the steps of using their selected platform carefully. Here are some upcoming LSP programs:

Language Support

Steps to English Fluency and Discover Canada

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre

Tuesdays & Thursdays, Ongoing; 4:00-5:30 pm

For full details or to register, contact Raluca at Raluca.Costea@YMCAGTA.ORG 

Let’s Talk Time

Hosted by LSP partner Rexdale Women’s Centre

Thursdays, October 27, November 24, December 15; 1:30-3:30pm

For full details or to register, contact Faiza at fesho@rexdalewomen.org 

Citizenship Test Preparation

Citizenship Test Preparation Class

Hosted by LSP partner CICS

Fridays, October 7, 14, 21, 28; 5:30-6:30 pm

For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at 416-707-8259

LSP Week 2022 celebration

On October 18, 2022, join in the LSP Week celebration! LSP Week is an annual celebration of this helpful program. This year, LSP Week will be celebrated online, and the special event is scheduled to overlap with Ontario Public Library Week (October 16-22, 2022). All are welcome to participate.

Each year, LSP Week has a theme. This year’s theme, “Health and Well-Being,” encourages us to look after ourselves more and to support loved ones and friends. The pandemic has put us through many changes and it is important to take care of ourselves. TPL offers recommended reads focusing on mental health through discovery and healing with the hope to highlight that we are all on this journey together. Be sure to check out recommended titles and services by Toronto Public Health on our Your Health Matters information page.

Lucy Frankel

Our special guest presenter is Lucy Frankel, a Certified Nutritional Practitioner. She will explore the connection between food and mood with everyone. She will also talk about how nutrition can help manage stress. Register for this free event through Eventbrite. We look forward to seeing you there!

Read more about previous years’ LSP celebrations:

• 2021: We Belong
• 2019: Thankfulness
• 2018: LSP’s 10th anniversary
• 2017: Celebration 150+
• 2016: Dance from Around the World
• 2015: Music from Around the World
• 2014: Food from Around the World

One of Toronto Public Library’s longstanding services for newcomers is Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP), a three-way collaboration between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 14 library branches, and 7 local settlement agencies. With LSP, informed and multilingual settlement workers assist newcomers through the different stages of the settlement journey. Meet an LSP Worker for your settlement needs. 

We recently interviewed Enas, an LSP Worker, to learn more about the service and their experience serving newcomers in the library:

What is a typical day for you, or is there a typical day?

On my average day of work, I start by checking email and voicemail and replying to customers. A typical day for me is when I serve three or four returning individuals and families and meet one or two new customers, and guide them through their settlement process into their new homes. I help newcomer families or individuals with their plans for education, housing and employment by connecting them to resources available in their community. I focus on connecting them to food banks, furniture banks and language assessment programs along with filling out forms such as child benefits, Social Insurance Number and study permits. 

How long have you been working in settlement services? What drew you to this career?

I have been working in settlement services for five years now and what drew me to this career was the fact that I am an immigrant myself. This allows me to relate to the newcomers’ situations and understand what they are facing during their settlement process. Besides this, interacting with people and providing support gives me great happiness. Finally, I would like to be a part of someone’s success story and give back to my community.

What do you like about working in a library setting?

The library is a wonderful work setting as it has many benefits. I find working in a library to be peaceful and a comfortable environment. It is a family-oriented place that welcomes everyone and addresses their needs, as it is filled with information, activities and resources for different age groups.

What is your favourite part of the job?

There are a few! One of my favourite parts of the job is when I help newcomers understand their rights and responsibilities as well as find programs and services they need. One of the biggest barriers that newcomers face is learning English and it gives me pleasure when I can'talk to my clients in their first language to help them feel more comfortable with the process.

I especially like the English Conversation Circle program, where I can directly interact with my customers in an informal group setting and discuss a variety of topics to learn and practice English.

Finally, feeling satisfaction when I successfully help customers achieve their goals.

The LSP worker who was interviewed.

You can attend an English Conversation Circle or other LSP programs online. Library programs are free to attend, and all are welcome. Connect directly with an LSP Worker to register for programs that take place on a third-party online platform. LSP workers can help walk you through the steps of using their selected platform carefully. Here are some upcoming LSP language support programs:

English Conversation Circle

Hosted by LSP partner TNO

Tuesdays, July 5 to September 6, 2022; 2-3:15 pm

For full details or to register, contact Enas at ehabeeb@tno-toronto.org

Let’s Speak English

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre

Wednesdays, August 10 & 24, September 7 & 21, 2022; 3-4 pm

For full details or to register, visit the YMCA Newcomer Information Centre page

Canada, My New Home

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre

Tuesdays & Thursdays, Ongoing; 4-5:30 pm

For full details or to register, visit the YMCA Newcomer Information Centre page

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming LSP program!

On May 25, all are invited to join in celebrating Toronto’s diverse communities at the eighth annual Toronto Newcomer Day. This event held every May welcomes newcomers to Toronto and celebrates their many contributions to the city. This year’s event includes an information fair, interactive activities, food fair, HistoricTO Neighbourhood Walking Tour, mock voting exercise, prizes and giveaways, and entertaining performances. After last year’s online celebration, we look forward to welcoming you back safely to this year’s outdoor event!

Take a moment to visit the Toronto Public Library (TPL) information table at this year’s Toronto Newcomer Day celebration at Nathan Phillips Square. Sign up for a free library card, and learn more about TPL’s programs and services, including Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP), a longstanding partnership between TPL and seven local settlement agencies, which is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. 

With LSP, knowledgeable and multilingual settlement workers assist newcomers as they move through the various stages of their settlement journey. One-on-one appointment-based service is available over the phone, online, and in-person. If you are new to Canada, LSP Workers can help you access the information you need, and provide referrals to relevant organizations.

In addition to the one-on-one service, group programs are continuing to take place online. Connect directly with an LSP Worker to learn more or to sign up for an online program. These programs are taking place on a third-party online platform. The settlement workers can help walk you through the steps of using their selected platform carefully. Here are some upcoming LSP programs.

Language Support

English Conversation Circle

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Wednesdays, May 4, 18 & June 1, 15, 29, 2022; 3-4 pm
For full details or to register, visit the YMCA Newcomer Information Centre page

IELTS Preparation Series

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Fridays May 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2022; 7-8 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

English Conversation Circle

Hosted by LSP partner TNO
Tuesdays, May 10 to July 5, 2022; 2-3:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Enas at ehabeeb@tno-toronto.org

French Conversation Circle

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Wednesdays May 11, 18, 25 & June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2022; 6:30-7:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

Cultural

Discover Canada: A Virtual Road Trip to Northern Ontario (in Mandarin)

Hosted by LSP partner CultureLink
Fridays, May 6, 13, 20, 27, 2022; 3-5 pm
For full details or to register, contact Stanley at steo@culturelink.ca

South Asian Cultural Event

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Wednesday, May 25, 2022; 10-11 am
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

Health & Wellness

Managing Back Pain (in Mandarin)

Hosted by LSP partner CultureLink
Friday, May 6, 2022; 11 am – 12 pm
For full details or to register, contact Stanley at steo@culturelink.ca

Museum + Arts Pass (MAP) Program

One of the ways newcomers can access museums and cultural venues in Toronto is through the Museum + Arts Pass (MAP) program. This program allows families to borrow a free pass to local museums, art galleries and similar venues with an Adult library card. All open library branches participate in the MAP program. Please note that passes for some venues are only available through a limited number of library locations.

To learn more about MAP Pass, check out the list of locations and the Frequently Asked Questions page. Let us know in the comments below if you’ve ever borrowed a MAP Pass, and if so, where did you visit? How was your experience?

Edited April 26, 5:30 pm: Added An Introduction to Toronto Archives and History of Toronto's Chinatown.

Edited May 11, 4:30 pm: Removed An Introduction to Toronto Archives and History of Toronto's Chinatown.

Toronto Public Library (TPL) offers a broad range of programs and services for newcomers. For example, Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) is a partnership between TPL and 7 local settlement agencies, and is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. LSP Workers assist newcomers with one-on-one settlement service and offer relevant programs, both in the library and online.

Throughout the pandemic, LSP has continuously provided help to newcomers in a number of ways. For example, finding housing and employment, keeping healthy and well, and staying informed about COVID-19 and the steps to take to stay safe. At this time, the team of multilingual LSP Workers continues to offer remote service, with some offering one-on-one appointments in person.

In the library, a number of safety measures are in place: all settlement workers are fully vaccinated and equipped with Personal Protective Equipment, acrylic shields are installed at LSP desks, and equipment and furniture are regularly cleaned. To book an appointment, connect with an LSP Worker over the phone or through email. Contact information for each LSP Worker can be found on the Settling in Toronto page.

You can also sign up for an online LSP program. These programs are taking place via a third-party online platform. The settlement workers can help walk you through the steps of using this platform carefully. Here are some upcoming LSP programs:

English Conversation Group: Let’s Speak English

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Wednesdays February 9 & 23, March 9 & 23, April 6, 2022; 3-4 pm
For full details or to register, please visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

How to Book a Roofed Accommodation with Ontario Parks

Hosted by LSP partner CultureLink
Wednesday February 9, 2022; 6-7:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Stanley at 647-404-8857

Personal Taxation in Canada

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Thursday February 17, 2022; 6-7:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

Income Tax for Filing

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Thursday March 10, 2022; 11 am-12 pm
For full details or to register, please visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

Steps to English Fluency and Discover Canada

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Thursdays April 7 to May 12, 2022; 6:30-8 pm
For full details or to register, please visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

Citizenship Test Preparation Online Sessions

Hosted by LSP partner CCS
Ongoing, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-5:30 pm
For full details or to register, please contact Renee at rxu@ccscan.ca

More helpful library resources

The library offers a number of helpful online resources for language learning and homework support. These resources are free with your library card.

Brainfuse offers online homework help with tutors. From 2 to 11 pm daily, live tutors are available to help with Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies, History, Geography and Language Arts for students in grades K-12. French-speaking tutors are available. Students can connect with tutors using an interactive whiteboard to write, draw, copy/paste text or images relating to homework problems. Also includes practice tests, support for adult learners, writing assistance, skills building and more.

Learning Express Library provides test-preparation and skills-improvement materials (including tutorials, practice tests and e-books) for all ages. Prepare for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, SAT, GED, Canadian citizenship practice test, TOEIC, TOEFL iBT, math, grammar, writing and more.

Mango Languages is a language learning resource offering courses in more than 70 languages. This resource also includes 21 English courses for non-English speakers in their own languages. The interactive exercises include culture notes, vocabulary and grammar.

Tense Buster offers lessons and practice tests to help improve English grammar. The courses cover key grammar areas from Elementary level to Advanced, and include tips to improve reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary and grammar.

At this time, staff cannot offer the same extended support we usually do, and use of library space is limited due to capacity restrictions. Before visiting a library in person, please remember to wear your mask or face covering, and check our latest updates to library service. Our online services are always available and can be accessed from anywhere, so please check out the resources listed above or other eLearning resources.

Edited March 8, 11 am: Added Citizenship Test Preparation Online Sessions & Income Tax for Filing.

History of Truth and Reconciliation

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) began in 2007, as a part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.

Indian Residential Schools, which were only for Indigenous children, opened as early as 1831 in Canada, and closed as late as 1996. The federal government and churches operated them. Attendance was mandatory and enforced by the RCMP and Indian Agents.

In 2015, the TRC released its final report with 94 Calls to Action. As of December 2021, the Canadian Government has completed 13 Calls to Action, and are working to complete 29 more. Thirty-two other Calls to Action are pending, and twenty are awaiting attention.

The TRC’s two final Calls to Action addresses newcomers.

Call to Action 93 calls for an updated “information kit for newcomers and citizenship test to reflect a more inclusive history of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.” As of December 2021, no updated guide is available. Call to Action 94 calls for an update to the Citizenship Oath to include upholding treaties with Indigenous Peoples. The federal government passed Bill C-8, which revised the citizenship oath in June 2021.

Next steps

So, you are thinking “what can I do, as a newcomer, to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation?”

You are already learning many things about your new home. As you learn more, you will also learn about Indigenous histories and cultures. This blog post will help you get started by sharing some resources. Take the time you need to understand the different aspects of Truth and Reconciliation and decide how you want to contribute.

Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) is here to support settling into life in Canada. Toronto Public Library (TPL) works with seven local settlement agencies to offer one-on-one information, referral, and programs for newcomers. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) funds LSP. There are now four locations offering appointments – you can make one by contacting a settlement worker. Safety measures are in place, including settlement workers using personal protective equipment, acrylic shields installed at desks, and regular cleaning. Please wear a mask or face-covering when you are visiting. LSP programs are still running on select third-party online platforms. Settlement workers can help you use them carefully.

Every October, we celebrate LSP Week. Canada’s first Métis Citizenship Judge, Suzanne Carrière, joined our event in 2021. She talked about updates to the Canadian citizenship oath to include Aboriginal and treaty rights with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Citizenship Judge Suzanne Carrière speaking at the LSP event in October 2021

Judge Carrière said “there is a role for newcomers in Truth and Reconciliation. Newcomers are not responsible for the past. They are responsible for the future of the country and being a new citizen is making a commitment in the future. We can move forward together with a greater understanding.” She also suggested meaningful ways that newcomers can contribute to Truth and Reconciliation, such as being strong allies for each other. Citizenship Judge Carrière added that, “We can all do our part being a friend or an ally, speaking as friends as it’s an easy concept to understand. I encourage everyone to think about how we can be a friend or an ally, how to encourage that friendship at home and in the community. Talk to your friends and families about Indigenous issues.”

Resources at TPL

Citizenship Judge Carrière also recommended some books to read. Please note, where possible, the nation of the Indigenous author is next to their name in brackets.

All the Way: My Life on Ice by Jordin Tootoo (Inuit)

Up Ghost River: A Chief’s Journey through the Turbulent Waters of Native History by Edmund Metatawabin (Cree) and Alexandra Shimo

Red River Girl: The Life and Death of Tina Fontaine by Joanna Jolly (Cree)

Motorcycles and Sweetgrass by Drew Hayden Taylor (Ojibway)

There is a new book to build on learning and understanding between Indigenous Peoples and newcomers, Indigenous Peoples in Toronto: an Introduction for Newcomers. Copies can be borrowed from our branches. An online version is also available through the City of Toronto's website. 

You can also find more recommendations for stories by Indigenous writers below.

• Read for Reconciliation
• Read Indigenous
• Orange Shirt Day
• Red Dress Day 2021
• Treaties Recognition Week 2021
• Truth and Reconciliation: 5 Years Later

Online programs

Here are some previously aired online programs that share Indigenous perspectives. Be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming Indigenous events too!

Jody Wilson-Raybould: “Indian” in the Cabinet

Join Jody and Tracy as they discuss “Indian” in the Cabinet and the need to strengthen our political institutions to better address racial justice and climate change.

Virtual Family Book Club

This 45-minute program will discuss Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton.

Naagan ge bezhig emkwaan / A Dish with One Spoon Reconsidered

Join Victor and Dean as they give an overview of the Dish with One Spoon from an Anishinaabe perspective.

Have You Met the Three Sisters Indigenous Food Stories with Chef Joseph Shawana

Join Joseph as he talks about his journey through food, shares some Indigenous stories around food and the importance of agricultural sustainability.

Laughter and Resilience: Indigenous Comedy Panel

Three Indigenous comedians sit with Kliph to talk about the deep connection between comedy, tragedy, and the power of humour to uplift and educate.

Resources outside of TPL

Beyond the library, you can check out these resources.

Reports

• TRC’s Final Report
• TRC’s 94 Calls to Action
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Online Programming

We recommend watching the following programs on YouTube from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Truth and Reconciliation Week:

• Legacy of Hope: Truth and Reconciliation Allyship
• Old Enough to Go, Old Enough to Know – Talking Residential Schools with Kids

More Resources

• Handbook for Newcomers: Indigenous Peoples in Canada
• Welcome to Canada Study Guide. Also comes with a video, called “Welcome to our Homelands.”
• First Peoples: A Guide for Newcomers 
• Indigenous Peoples of Manitoba: A guide for newcomers
• Reconciliation: How newcomers to Canada can support Indigenous peoples
• A Newcomer’s Journey to Understanding Indigenous Culture in Canada
• Are You A Settler or Newcomer and Want to Participate in Actions Toward Reconciliation But Don’t Know Where to Begin?

This blog post is co-contributed by Jamie and Elsa.

Update

May 13, 2024: added new resource called Indigenous Peoples in Toronto: an Introduction for Newcomers

This October, Toronto Public Library (TPL) and agency partners celebrate 14 years of Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP). LSP expands TPL’s newcomer services by offering settlement support with multilingual workers at some library locations, in partnership with 7 local settlement agencies. LSP is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Throughout the pandemic, LSP has provided ongoing access to remote settlement services, and the service is now gradually returning to select TPL branches across the city. To keep everyone safe, no drop-in service is available at this time. Please make an appointment with a settlement worker for one-on-one help. Settlement workers are using Personal Protective Equipment, acrylic shields installed at LSP desks, and regular cleaning takes place. Don’t forget your mask or face covering when you visit us, even if you’re fully vaccinated. If you’re not feeling well, please stay home.

This fall, LSP settlement workers will continue to offer online programs. These programs are taking place on a third-party online platform. The settlement workers can help walk you through the steps of using their selected platform carefully. Here are some upcoming programs:

Language Support

English Conversation Circle

Hosted by LSP partner TNO—The Neighbourhood Organization
Tuesdays, October 5, 12, 19, & 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30, 2021; 2-3:15 pm
For full details or to register, contact Enas at 647-296-6524

English Conversation Group: Let's Speak English

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Wednesdays, October 13 & 27, November 10 & 24, December 8 & 22, 2021; 3-4 pm
For full details or to register, contact Alicia at alicia.rasul@ymcagta.org

French Conversation Circle

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Wednesdays November 3, 10, 17, 24 and December 1, 8, 15, 2021; 3:30-4:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at 416-707-8259

Citizenship Test Preparation

Citizenship Test Preparation Class

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Mondays November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and December 6, 13, 20, 2021; 5:30-6:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at 416-707-8259

Health & Wellness

Introduction to Algonquin Provincial Park (in Mandarin)

Hosted by LSP partner CultureLink
Friday October 15, 3-5 pm
For full details or to register, contact Stanley at 647-404-8857

LSP Week

On October 21, 2021, join TPL in celebrating LSP Week! LSP Week is an annual celebration of the successful program. This year, to help keep everyone safe, LSP Week will be celebrated online, and the special event is scheduled to overlap with Ontario Public Library Week (October 17-23, 2021). All are welcome to participate.

Each year, LSP Week has a theme. This year’s theme, “We Belong,” invites us to bridge understanding across all groups, celebrate inclusion, and promote a sense of belonging for all.

Our special guest presenters are Citizenship Judge Suzanne Carrière, who will discuss the importance of newcomer contributions to Truth & Reconciliation, and Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone, who will share traditional, contemporary, and original hand drum songs and stories. All are welcome to attend. Register for this free event on Eventbrite. We look forward to seeing you there!

Read more on previous LSP celebrations

• 2020: LSP Reinstatement
• 2019: Thankfulness
• 2018: LSP’s 10th anniversary
• 2017: Celebration 150+
• 2016: Dance from Around the World
• 2015: Music from Around the World
• 2014: Food from Around the World

As Toronto Public Library (TPL) expands in-person services to support Torontonians in Step Three of the Province’s Three Step Roadmap, Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) is gradually bringing back in-person one-on-one appointments at some library branches to assist newcomers on their settlement journey.

LSP is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to provide free settlement support in libraries across the city in partnership with seven local settlement agencies. LSP assists newcomers by providing one-on-one information and referrals, as well as relevant group programs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, LSP has continued to support newcomers online and by phone. As the City of Toronto gradually introduces additional in-person services by following provincial and municipal guidelines, LSP invites customers to make appointments with settlement workers in select TPL branches. To find out which libraries you can visit for LSP assistance, visit the Settling in Toronto page, where you can connect directly with an LSP settlement worker. The page will be updated as more libraries bring back in-person LSP services.

To keep everyone safe, there will be no drop-in service at this time, and appointments need to be scheduled before visiting the library. A number of safety measures are in place: settlement workers are equipped with Personal Protective Equipment, acrylic shields are installed at LSP desks, and equipment and furniture are regularly cleaned. Don’t forget your mask or face covering when you visit us, even if you’re fully vaccinated. If you are not feeling well, please stay home.

This summer, LSP settlement workers will continue to offer online programs. These programs are taking place on a third-party online platform. The settlement workers can help walk you through the steps of using their selected platform carefully. Here are some upcoming programs:

Language Support

Steps to English Fluency and Discover Canada

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Ongoing, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-5:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Raluca at raluca.costea@ymcagta.org

French Conversation Circle

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Wednesdays, August 4, 11, 18, 25 and September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2021; 3:30-4:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

English Conversation Group: Let’s Speak English

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
August 11 & 25 and September 8 & 22, 2021; 3-4 pm
For full details or to register, visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

Health & Wellness

Parks Canada Learn To Camp Workshops (in Mandarin)

Hosted by LSP partner CultureLink
Fridays, July 23 & 30 and August 6 & 13, 2021; 3-4:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Stanley at steo@culturelink.ca

Education

IELTS Preparation Series

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Saturdays, August 7, 14, 21, 28, 2021; 10-11 am
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

Citizenship Test Preparation

Citizenship Test Preparation Sessions

Hosted by LSP partner CCS
Thursdays, August 12, 19, 26, and September 2, 9, 16, 2021; 6:30-8 pm
For full details or to register, contact Wen at 647-388-3762

Online Citizenship Series

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Fridays, September 10, 17 & 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2021; 5:30-6:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

Please also visit our New to Canada blog to learn more about library resources for newcomers to Canada, as well as our interactive citizenship test, available in both English and French.

This summer, TPL invites families to participate in the TD Summer Reading Club. Kids can join the Club starting on June 14 at their local library branch and participate online all summer. Club participants can read whatever they'd like throughout the summer and earn virtual badges, vote in the Battle of the Books, post reviews, write stories, read and write jokes, participate in weekly trivia, watch author/illustrator readings and workshops and more.

Online resources and programs are always available at tpl.ca. Welcome back, Toronto.

Edited Aug. 17, 1 pm: Added Online Citizenship Series.

As Toronto Public Library expands online services to support Torontonians in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) continues to assist newcomers with their settlement needs. For over 14 years, TPL has partnered with local settlement agencies for LSP, with the goal of helping newcomers settle over the long term.

LSP, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, supports newcomers at every stage in the settlement journey, through one-on-one information and referrals, as well as group programs. At this time, the multilingual service is offered remotely, online and by telephone (in-person service is not possible at this time). This is to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Connect directly with an LSP Worker by phone or email to learn more or to sign up for an online program. These programs are taking place on a third-party online platform. The settlement workers can help walk you through the steps of using their selected platform carefully.

Here are some upcoming LSP programs:

Language Support

English Conversation Group: Let’s Speak English!

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA
Every other Wednesday, May 19; June 9 & 23; July 14 & 28, 2021; 3-4 pm
For full details or to register, visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

Online French Conversation Circle

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Wednesdays May 12, 19, 26 and June 2, 9, 16, 23, 2021; 2:30-3:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

IELTS Preparation Series

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Saturdays June 5, 12, 19, 26, 2021; 10-11 am 
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

English Conversation Circle for Youth

Hosted by LSP partner CultureLink
Ongoing, Tuesdays, 6-7 pm
For full details or to register, contact Jonathan at jrojas@culturelink.ca

American Sign Language 101 for Newcomer Youth

Hosted by LSP partner CultureLink
Wednesdays May 26 to June 16, 2021; 5-6 pm
For full details or to register, contact Jonathan at jrojas@culturelink.ca

Steps to English Fluency and Discover Canada

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA
Ongoing, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4- 5:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Raluca at raluca.costea@ymcagta.org

Health and Wellness

Discover Canada – Northern Ontario Workshop (in Mandarin)

Hosted by LSP partner CultureLink
Fridays May 7 & 14, 2021; 3-5 pm
For full details or to register, contact Stanley at 647-404-8857

Education

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) Online Information Session

Hosted by LSP partner CCS
Thursday June 10, 2021; 3:30-5 pm
For full details or to register, contact Renee at rxu@ccscan.ca or Wen at 647-388-376

Citizenship Preparation

Citizenship Test Preparation Online Sessions

Hosted by LSP partner CCS
Thursdays July 8 to August 12, 2021; 6:30–8 pm
For full details or to register, contact Renee at rxu@ccscan.ca or Wen at 647-388-3762

To support your Canadian Citizenship Test preparations, TPL has a free practice test available online. The practice test is available in English as well as in French. The test has some questions taken from the Discover Canada book and questions related to Toronto and Ontario. You can answer all of the questions, or a random set of 10 or 20 questions:

The test is interactive, so as you answer each question, the program will let you know if you’ve answered correctly or incorrectly.

On May 25, 2021, join TPL in celebrating Toronto Newcomer Day online! Toronto Newcomer Day is an annual event that welcomes newcomers to Toronto, helps them access a wide range of services, and celebrates their contributions to the city. In years past, the event took place in person, and this year the celebration has moved online to keep everyone safe. All are invited to participate in activities and enjoy the entertainment.

Tune in live for our special program, Journey to Embracing the Arts with Koom Kankesan: A Newcomer's Story. Koom shares his life journey and cultural challenges of being a newcomer and choosing a path in the arts:

Toronto Newcomer Day 2021 also includes an engagement session with City of Toronto Mayor John Tory, entertaining performances, information fair, virtual tour of City Hall, and the Welcome Gesture. The Welcome Gesture, led by Dreamwalker Dance Company, is a movement experience designed to celebrate the Canadian values of diversity, mutual respect, and freedom of self-expression through the language of our bodies.

Check out tpl.ca for other online resources and programs at your fingertips. We look forward to seeing you online!

Edited May 7, 1 pm: Added English Conversation Circle for Youth; American Sign Language 101 for Newcomer Youth; Journey to Embracing the Arts with Koom Kankesan: A Newcomer's Story.

Edited May 11, 9 am: Added July dates to English Conversation Group: Let's Speak English!

Edited May 18, 11 am: Added Steps to English Fluency and Discover Canada program.

Edited June 1, 10 am: Updated IELTS Preparation Series, and added Canada Day Celebration.

Edited June 22, 9 am: Removed Canada Day Celebration.

In 2001, a motion was proposed by former Canadian Senator Vivienne Poy to designate May as Asian Heritage Month. In 2002, May was officially designated as the month to recognize, celebrate and honour the countless contributions by Canadians with Asian heritage from over 30 countries. Through perseverance and hope, these Canadians endured sacrifice, hardship and discrimination to leave an unforgettable mark here in Canada. Let us all celebrate these historic Canadians and continue to learn about the countless others who have shaped this country.

This is not a complete list of all notable Asian-Canadians. Please share other individuals you would like to celebrate in the comments section below!

The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson (The 26th Governor-General)

Adrienne Clarkson, 1999. Toronto Star Photograph Archive.

Adrienne Clarkson was born on February 10, 1939, in Hong Kong. Her family came to Canada as refugees when she was young. Though the Chinese Immigration Act was already established in Canada, her father’s work at the Canadian Trade Commission in Hong Kong gave them special entry. They settled in Ottawa and Adrienne began her educational journey there. After obtaining an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees, she went to study in Paris.

In 1965 she combined her skills and experiences and began a lengthy career with CBC as a host, interviewer, writer, and producer. Adrienne became the first visible minority on the forefront of a national television program. She also wrote for important media outlets, published books, and hosted her own television show. Adrienne was appointed as the 26th Governor-General, making her the first person of Asian heritage to hold a high position in the Canadian government.

Raymond Moriyama (Award-winning architect)

Raymond Moriyama, 1994. Toronto Star Photograph Archive.

Raymond Moriyama was born on October 11, 1929, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Being of Japanese descent, his family was sent to Internment Camps during the Second World War. Raymond enjoyed nature and built himself a treehouse to escape harassment and bullying in the camp. After gaining his post-secondary degrees, Raymond began his career as an architect. His notable first projects were the Ontario Science Centre and the Japanese Canadian Centre. He went on to create an architecture firm with Ted Teshima. Together they completed memorable projects, including:

• Metropolitan Toronto Reference Library
• The Canadian Embassy in Toyko
• The National Museum of Saudia Arabia
• The New Canadian War Museum

Raymond Moriyama has won many awards and is a Member of the Order of Ontario and Champion of the Order of Canada.

Shyam Selvadurai (Award-winning author)

Funny Boy by Shyam Selvadurai

Shyam Selvadurai was born in Sri Lanka in 1965. His family immigrated to Canada when he was 19 years of age to escape the 1983 race riots that took place in Columbo. He pursued post-secondary education in Toronto and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1989.

With the education he gained at York University (in theatre and creative writing), Shyam went on to work as a scriptwriter for television before focusing on writing fiction. His lived experiences inspired him to craft a vulnerable first novel, Funny Boy. It's a touching coming-of-age story set during the years leading up to the 1983 riots. It won many awards in both Canada (First Novel Award) and the United States (Lambda Literary Award). It was named a notable book by the American Library Association and became a bestseller in Canada.

Larry Kwong (First hockey player of Asian descent in the NHL)

King Kwong: Larry Kwong, the China Clipper who Broke the NHL Colour Barrier by Paula Johanson

Larry Kwong, a Canadian of Chinese descent, was born in British Columbia on June 17, 1923. He took an interest in hockey while listening to “Hockey Night in Canada” on the radio. His goal: to play a National Hockey League (NHL) game. Larry Kwong faced discrimination during his career. He was denied entry to the United States to play with his team, even though he showed his Canadian birth certificate.

Years later while playing for the New York Rangers, Larry got the chance to play during an NHL game. It was a short-lived opportunity but Larry Kwong was the first Canadian of Asian heritage to play in the NHL.

Dr. Irene Uchida (Scientist)

Irene Uchida was born on April 8, 1917. She developed a passion to help people after her best friend died in a car crash and her sister passed away from tuberculosis. While studying at the University of British Columbia she also fought for equal rights for Japanese Canadians. She took a break from her studies after two years and went to Japan. She later returned home in 1941 just as the Second World War was underway. Although Irene and her family were Japanese Canadians, they were amongst the 20,000 individuals that were forced into Internment camps. Despite what she and her family endured, she chose to stay in Canada after the war ended and complete her post-secondary education. Irene began studying the genetics of twins while working at the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital and went on to become a groundbreaking geneticist. Irene earned many awards and was recognized as the first Canadian woman to study the effects of radiation on unborn babies.

Naranjan Singh Grewall (First East Indian person elected to political office)

Naranjan Singh Grewall was born in East Punjab and immigrated to British Columbia in 1941 where he worked as a millwright. He later made a name for himself as an influential business leaders. Grewall owned and operated six sawmill companies. In 1950, he decided to make a political run for office. He became the first Sikh councilor in North America. Naranjan was known for his community involvement, fighting for equal wages and safe working conditions. He was a dedicated man who paved the way for Indo-Canadians and was elected chairman of the Board of Governors in 1954.

Baljit Sethi (Advocate for immigrants)

Baljit Sethi was born in India and immigrated to Canada in 1972. When she arrived, she learned that her teaching credentials from India were not recognized. She was devoted to making a difference in Canada and took on substitute jobs while volunteering with an immigration association. Baljit went back to school and gained Canadian credentials in counseling. Baljit had a passion for helping others getting settled and founded the Immigrant and Multicultural Services organization. She went to great lengths to help get individuals and families settled, even if it meant retrieving them from the airport herself! Baljit Sethi’s contributions and dedication were recognized with many awards such as the Order of British Columbia and the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism.

Notable Groups of Asian-Canadians

We'd also like to recognize some group contributions.

The Canadian Japanese Baseball Team

Sleeping Tigers: The Asahi Baseball Story (DVD)

The Asahi team was formed in British Columbia. Though they faced tremendous abuse and racism both on and off the field, they were dedicated to the sport. In 1942, the team could officially no longer continue when all the members were taken into a Japanese Internment Camp. Many players brought their baseball equipment and uniforms with them, built baseball diamonds, formed teams, and played with other prisoners and guards. The Asahi team was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of fame in 2003 and, in 2005, into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame.

Learn more about baseball players in Canada.

The Sikh-Canadians in World War I

Even though the rights of citizenship were denied, 10 Canadians of Sikh descent (based on military records) served within the Canadian Army in World War I.

Learn more about Sikhism.

The Chinese-Canadians in World War II

For Chinese-Canadians, it was difficult to serve in World War II due to racialized barring. In 1944, pressure was put on the Canadian government by the British War Office to allow Chinese-Canadians to work for the Special Operations Executive. Hundreds of Chinese-Canadians took the chance to actively serve Canada during World War II.

Learn more about Chinese Canadians.

The Chinese Students Soccer Team

The team formed in 1920 in Vancouver, British Columbia. They won'the Provincial Championship in 1933 and brought pride and inspiration to the Chinese Community during the period of the Chinese Immigration Act. The team was inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of fame in 2011.

Learn more about soccer in Canada.

Further Reading

Here are just a few recommended books to get started. You can find more recommendations on our Asian Heritage Month 2021 reading lists:

• Asian Heritage 2021 – Adult Reading List
• Asian Heritage 2021 – Teen Reading List
• Asian Heritage 2021 – Children's Reading List

Room for All of Us by Adrienne Clarkson

In Search of a Soul: Designing and Realizing the New Canadian War by Raymond Moriyama

The Paper Boat: A Refugee Story by Thao Lam

Stories for South Asian Super Girls by Raj Kaur Khaira

More Resources

Visit our Asian Heritage webpage for more, including recommended reading lists and virtual events.

Take a virtual tour of Plum Blossom from the Bitter Cold, one of our TD Gallery exhibits from 2019. The exhibit featured selections from the Chinese Canadian Archive.

We also have great resources on our New to Canada page and New to Canada blog.

For historic photos of Asian-Canadians, check out our Digital Archive. It includes rare historical photos, maps, books and more!

Again, this isn't a complete list of notable Asian-Canadians. Who else would you like to celebrate this Asian Heritage Month? Share in the comments below!

Every year in February, we celebrate Black History Month in Canada. Black History Month was designed to:

• Highlight Black achievements
• Provide awareness of the African Diaspora
• Gain an understanding of the trailblazers who may have struggled to pave a better way for the future
• Honor historic members of the Black Community

The stories of the journeys, sacrifices, and outcomes can be relatable for many immigrants coming to Canada. 

I always think about the reasons members of my family came to Canada, and their reasons. I think about my mother, born in St. Vincent, who came to Canada to expand on her nursing education and be exposed to a new culture. My father, who was born in Guyana and immigrated to Canada, who sought new accounting prospects. As well my Aunt, from Trinidad, an aspiring educator who sought out Canadian life to achieve her goal of teaching young children. And my Uncle, a Vice-Principal in St. Vincent, with the desire to further his career in Canada.

Black History Month reminds me of their journeys, and the journeys of other Black people who have made a name for themselves as they made their mark here in Canada.

I wanted to highlight a few of them here. These are just some of many important Black Canadians.

Lincoln Alexander (First Black Lieutenant Governor of Ontario)

"Go to School, You're a Little Black Boy": The Honourable Lincoln. M. Alexander: A Memoir by Lincoln Alexander and Herb Shoveller

Lincoln Alexander was born in Toronto in 1922 to Caribbean immigrant paren'ts. When the Second World War began, Lincoln was too young to enlist. Instead, he went to work in a factory where anti-aircraft guns were being made. In 1942 joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, but because of his poor eyesight he was unable to take part in combat. Instead of being discouraged, Lincoln went on to train to be a wireless operator for the Royal Canadian Air Force. When the war was over, Lincoln enrolled in McMaster University, earned his degree, and then pursued his law degree from Osgoode Hall. In 1953, he joined the first interracial law firm in Canada. He later became the first Black Member of Parliament in 1968 and was appointed to the Cabinet. He was chosen to be the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, making him the first Black Canadian to be in an official position representing the British Monarchy.

Willie O'Ree (First Black Hockey Player in the National Hockey League)

Willie: The Game-Changing Story of the NHL's first Black Player by Willie O'Ree

Willie O'Ree was born in Frederiction in 1935. He was the youngest of 13 children. His grandparen'ts came to Canada through the Underground Railroad to escape slavery in the United States. When he was growing up there were only two other Black families in Frederiction. From an early age, Willie loved playing hockey and became involved in organized sport. As he grew older the "colour barrier' was becoming more noticeable to him. He later moved to Quebec and then Ontario to play. When playing for the Kitchener Canucks, he was badly injured by a pick that hit his eye. Despite suffering 95% vision loss, Willie was determined to play for the NHL. He kept his injury secret because NHL rule states that players who are blind in one eye cannot play. In 1958, Willie became the first Black hockey player to play a game in the NHL. Despite experiences of racism, Willie continued to play and later became NHL's Director of Youth as well as an ambassador for NHL Diversity. Willie O'Ree was recognized for his dedication and skill with the Order of New Brunswick and the Order of Canada. In 2018 he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Viola Desmond (First Black Woman to appear on Canadian Currency)

Viola Desmond: Her Life and Times by Graham Reynolds with Wanda Robson

Viola Desmond was born in Halifax in 1914. Following in the footsteps of her hard-working paren'ts, she became an independent businesswoman. She opened the Desmond School of Beauty Culture which gave training opportunities to Black Women to help them confidently open their own business. Viola is also known for the most public racialized case in Canada. In 1946, she was forcibly removed from a theatre for sitting in the "Whites Only" section. Viola was arrested and jailed. In 2010, the government issued an official apology to the late Viola Desmond for being wrongfully jailed and fined. In 2018 Viola Desmond was selected by the minister of Finance to appear on the Canadian 10-dollar bill.

Jean Augustine (First Black Woman to be elected to the House of Commons)

Jean Augustine, 1987. Toronto Star Photograph Archive.

Jean Augustine was born in Grenada in 1937. She came to Canada in 1960 through a nanny contract program. When her contract ended, she enrolled in Teachers College. Jean found her passion as an elementary school teacher and worked her way up to becoming a principal in Toronto's public school system. Jean was also an activist in Toronto's Caribbean communities. She volunteered in organizations to help bring awareness to immigrant and women's rights, spoke out against violence against women, and about drug abuse and poverty. She was elected as a Member of Parliament in 1993, making her the first Black woman to be elected to the House of Commons. Jean Augustine was responsible for the act designating February as Black History Month in Canada.

Anne Clare Cools (First Black Canadian to be named to the Senate)

Anne Cools, 1984. Toronto Star Photograph Archive.

Anne Clare Cools was born in Barbados in 1943. She came to Canada in 1957 and followed her passion for learning. She attended Thomas D'Arcy McGee Highschool in Montreal and went on to study psychology and sociology at McGill University. Anne founded one of Canada's first shelters for female victims of violence. She later served on the Parole Board of Canada. In 1984, Anne became the first Black Canadian to be named to the Senate and devoted 34 years to that position.

Isaac Phills (First Black man to receive the Order of Canada)

Isaac Phills was born in St. Vincent in 1896. When he came to Canada in 1916, he wanted to work in agriculture but positions were not available. Instead, he began to work in a steel plant. During the First World War, Isaac served in the No. 2 Construction Battalion, also known as the Black Battalion. It was Canada's only all-Black segregated military unit. When he was discharged from service, he went back to work at the steel plant and stayed there for another 45 years. Phills was determined to provide a decent life for his family and give back to the community. In 1967 Isaac Phills became the first Black Canadian to receive the Order of Canada for his gracious service to the country, his community and his family.

Further Reading

These are just some of the moving stores of proud, ambitious Black people that have called Canada their home, whether they came here by plane, the Underground Railroad, or were born here. For more great stories, check out these recommended reads.

Black Canadians: History, Experience, Social Conditions by Joseph Mensah

Who's Who in Black Canada: Black success and excellence in Canada: A Contemporary Directory by Dawn P Williams

100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women – 2018 Second Edition by Dr. Jean Augustine, Denise O'Neil Green and Dauna Jones-Simmonds

The Black Battalion 1916-1920: Canada's Best Kept Military Secret by Calvin W. Ruck

The Kids Book of  Black Canadian History by Rosemary Sadlier

Cool Black North (DVD)

Cool Black North explores the unique and vibrant Canadian Black Community and its role in our country’s contemporary identity. 

Are you looking for more Black History Month recommended reads, virtual events, and more? Explore our TPL Black History Month webpage! For newcomers, we also have great resources on our New to Canada page. You can also access our Digital Archive for rare historical photos, maps, books, and more!

Toronto Public Library continues to adapt library services to meet the needs of newcomers and all Torontonians during the pandemic. For newcomers, Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) continues to offer multilingual services online and over the phone. Through LSP, Toronto Public Library and seven local settlement agencies have been working together for over 12 years to offer free one-on-one information and referral and relevant programs. LSP is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Throughout the pandemic, LSP has supported newcomers by switching services from in-person to online as needed, by following provincial guidelines. As part of the current lockdown, all LSP services are offered remotely. LSP Workers can be reached over the phone or through email, and the contact information for each library location’s LSP Worker is posted on the Settling in Toronto page so you can connect with them directly.

Reach out to an LSP Worker for help settling in your new home. LSP Workers can share information to keep you informed about the City of Toronto’s response to COVID-19 and the best steps to take to increase your safety. The City of Toronto COVID-19 information materials are available in multiple languages.

You can also sign up for an upcoming online LSP program. These programs are taking place via Zoom, which is a third party online platform. The settlement workers can help walk you through the steps of using this platform carefully. Here are some upcoming LSP programs.

Workers’ Rights and Government Benefits During COVID-19

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Wednesday January 20; 6-8 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

English Conversation Group: Let’s Speak English!

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Every other Wednesday, January 13, 27, February 10, 24; 3-4 pm
For full details or to register, please visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

English Conversation Circle

Hosted by LSP partner TNO
Ongoing, Tuesdays; 2-3 pm
For full details or to register, contact Enas at ehabeeb@tno-toronto.org

Credential Evaluation

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Thursday February 16, 4-5:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

Ontario Student Assistance Program

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Thursday February 23, 4-5:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

Personal Taxation in Canada

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Thursday February 25, 6-7:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

GTA/York Region Community Information Fair

Hosted by LSP partner CCS
Thursday March 18, 3:30-5:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Renee at rxu@ccscan.ca

Basics in Personal Finance

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Monday March 8, 1-2 pm
For full details or to register, please visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

Basics in Investing and How to Find Help

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Tuesday March 9, 1-2 pm
For full details or to register, please visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

What do I do if I Have a Complaint about my Investment?

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Wednesday March 10, 1-2 pm
For full details or to register, please visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

Take Care: Avoid Financial and Investment Scams and Fraud

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Thursday March 11, 1-2 pm
For full details or to register, please visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

Over the winter, Toronto Public Library continues to engage Toronto residents:

• Participate in live or pre-recorded online programs for all ages
• If you don’t yet have a library card, register for a Digital Access Card, to get direct access to Toronto Public Library’s digital resources and services
• For seniors, get free help on how to use your technology 
• For younger adults, book a one-on-one session on career and job search help with one of Toronto Public Library’s Career Coaches in Residence 
• Check out 38 ways you can use the library from home 
• And more!

Check out tpl.ca for other online resources and programs at your fingertips. Stay home and stay safe. We look forward to seeing you online!

Edited February 7, 4 pm: Added program information Credential Evaluation, Ontario Student Assistance Program, and Personal Taxation in Canada.

Edited February 16, 1 pm: Added program information Community Information Fair.

Edited March 2, 10 am: Added program information Basics in Personal Finance; Basics in Investing and How to Find Help; What do I do if I Have a Complaint about my Investment; and Take Care: Avoid Financial and Investment Scams and Fraud.

"Deck the Hall with boughs of Holly, Fa La La La La La La La La
'Tis the season to be Jolly, Fa la la la la la la la la la…"

All across our country, many families are preparing for Christmas on December 25. 

You might notice some stores are already into the holiday spirit by playing Christmas music such as "Deck the Halls", a song about getting into the holiday spirit by decorating the tree and their home. With the Holly Jolly season coming close, it means that people all across Canada will be participating in some new or old traditions that involve family, friends and, in some cases, even strangers.

Christmas is a holiday that symbolizes peace and festivity. A time where giving love, care and sometimes gifts all represent a true act of kindness. In Canada, Christmas is often celebrated in similar ways across the provinces. The main goal is to spread joy through many traditions.
In the Christian faith Christmas was a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Gifts were brought to him shortly after his birth by three wise men.

Here are some books about the love, care, peace and festivity of Christmas and a family storybook about the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ:

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas in Canada

The Christmas Story

During the Christmas season many Canadians donate toys to special organizations to give to children and families who are in need of some happiness on December 25. Other Canadians donate canned goods and non-perishable items, prepare food baskets or volunteer their time to hand out plates of food in the homeless shelter.

Preparing for Christmas

The beginning of December is usually when people begin getting ready for Christmas by decorating, attending events and family feasts.

Decorating is one of the ways that shows Christmas happiness. Many people decorate their home with lights. Often it is a tradition that is done with loved ones. Cities and towns decorate their streets with lights that form shapes of snowflakes, candy canes, bells and other winter objects.

Christmas tree purchasing and decorating is also a tradition that takes place with loved ones. There are safety rules that should always be followed when deciding to purchase a real or artificial (fake) tree. Regardless of the type of tree that is purchased the end goal is always the same: create a beautiful tree with decorations of your choice. Decorations could be store bought or even hand made. Loved ones take turns hanging a variety of ornaments and sometimes candy canes on the tree. The finishing touch would be tinsel, Christmas tree lights and a star or an angel that would be hung on the very top point of the tree. 

Christmas stockings are often hung in the home, one for each family member. A stocking is usually an empty sock or a sock-shaped bag that gets filled by Santa Claus with small toys, candy and in the olden days, fruit.

Under the tree is where wrapped presents get placed and are opened on Christmas day. Some families may have their own traditions when it comes to opening presents. Some may open one present on Christmas Eve, others may just spend time with family playing games and watching classic Christmas themed television shows and movies such as:

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Frosty the Snowman

Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer

Santa Claus and Children

Santa Claus is a belief that many children that celebrate Christmas look forward to. He is a fictional man who wears a special red and white suit and delivers gifts to all the good children all around the world on his magic sled. On Christmas Eve some children leave a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa to eat when he gets to their house to deliver the presents. Here is a great family story to read about Santa coming to Toronto:

Santa is Coming to Toronto

A long-standing tradition is to attend the Santa Claus Parade or snuggle up at home with hot chocolate and watch it on the television with loved ones. The Santa Claus Parade is a chance to celebrate love, family and joy. Volunteers dress up in winter- and Christmas-themed costumes and march alongside school bands and large floats on a special route through the city. Children get the opportunity to see enlarged, animated versions of some of their favorite characters, sports teams, stores and toys on the floats. At the end of the Parade route is the most special float of them all. In the final float, Santa Claus appears on his sleigh to wave to everyone and give his famous “Ho Ho Ho” cheer.

Did you know that the Toronto Santa Claus Parade is the oldest and largest parade in the world? It started in 1913 and has grown to having over 25 floats and about 2000 volunteers!

Christmas morning means that it’s time for presents to be open. Family members get together to sit around the Christmas tree and open their presents. The morning is filled with love, gratefulness and then gets followed by decorating a gingerbread house and preparations for the Christmas Dinner feast. The feast traditionally has been a roast turkey with vegetables and mashed potatoes. Many people from different cultures prepare their own variation of a Christmas dinner feast.

For Christmas Dinner ideas, check out these two yummy books:

Home Made Christmas

Taste of Home: Christmas

Celebrating Christmas During the 2020 Pandemic

While each of us are trying to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 there are still ways that families can creatively celebrate Christmas with those in your household such as:

• Attend a Drive Thru Christmas Light Display
• Join a TPL Library Christmas BookClub
• Go skating the safe and socially distanced way
• Try skiing and snowboarding or tobogganing

By the way….did you know?

A special Canadian Christmas tradition is to send one of our biggest Fir or Spruce trees (grown in Nova Scotia) to Boston, Massachusetts in the United States. This is done each year to give great thanks for their assistance in the 1917 Halifax Explosion. 

"Big Boston Christmas Tree" by Lynn Friedman. Used on a CC license.

December 3 is the International Day for People with Disabilities. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people (15% of the world’s population), are living with disability.

Students read in a classroom by World Bank Photo Collection used on a Creative Commons license

According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, more than 6 million Canadians aged 15 and over (22% of the population) have a disability. The International Day of People With Disabilities is more than just an annual day, it is a movement to break down barriers to inclusion and advocate for the rights of people with disability.

'Fun in the Park' by Martin Deutsch used on a Creative Commons license.

Disabilities are diverse. A disability can be visible or invisible, and millions of people live with a disability that cannot be seen right away. The theme for the International Day of Disabilities in 2020 is ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible.’ This reminds us to keep in mind that so many disabilities that are not visible, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and more. 

Disability in Toronto

In Ontario, we have a law called the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This law aims to prevent barriers for people with disabilities and make the province more accessible. The City of Toronto’s initiative Toronto for All also has many resources to support Disability Awareness & Inclusion in the city.

Toronto Public Library offers equipment, collections, and services for people with disabilities.

• Accessibility at Library Branches: find out which libraries have equipment for people with disabilities.
• Services for People with Disability: learn more about services for people with disabilities.
• Collections for People with Disabilities: library material to enjoy in different formats.

Another great resource at Toronto Public Library is the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities. IBBY is the International Board on Books for Young People, and the North York Central Library is home to The This collection includes 4,000 titles in over 40 languages and Specialized formats such as Braille, PCS and Sign Language. Talk to the staff in the Children’s Department at North York Central Library to find out more.

Last year an exhibit called You, Me, Us: Outstanding Books For and About Young People with Disabilities was launched at the TD Gallery at the Toronto Reference Library. You can revisit the exhibit online to see the books from around the world that were celebrated as outstanding books about disability for young people.

Still looking for more? Here are more disability resources to support your child or teen:

• Children’s Books with Positive Disability Representation blog post
• Disability: Read Up On It! kids booklist
• Diverse Abilities: teen booklist

And here are some resources for adults:

• The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) is for library members with print disabilities (a physical, visual, or learning disability that prevents someone from reading regular print). CELA has accessible materials in some languages other than English and French. 
• The Accessible Canada Act was recently passed in Canada. Here's some more info from the government and a plain language explanation from Include Me

I encourage you to think about the ways we make space for other people in our city. I like this thought from Toronto for All: wouldn’t it be great for disability to be just another way of being in Toronto? It’s so important for us to promote the full participation of people with disabilities.

If you learned about a new resource today please share it with someone so we can create a more accessible Toronto!

Welcome to the Library! Bienvenido a la Biblioteca!

Spanish is one of the most popular languages worldwide. It is most commonly spoken in Central and South America in countries like Mexico, Cuba, and Colombia. Like any language, Spanish has many different dialects depending on the country and region.

Toronto Public Library has over 11,000 materials in our Spanish collection for adults, teens and children. You can find our largest (1,500 or more items) collections at Downsview, Toronto Reference Library and York Woods. We also have branches with small (less than 750 items) and medium-sized (750 – 1,500 items) collections that can be found here.

If you're new to the Library, you can read our guide to library information in Spanish to learn more about the free programs and services you can access with your library card.

Fun fact: Did you know that there are two names for Spanish: Español and Castellano?

Resources

Check out our collection of over 11,000 physical and digital Spanish language books, movies, music and audiobooks.

PressReader is an online platform that has Spanish newspapers and magazines. You can create an account to download materials and share articles. 

Dual-language books are available for children and adults. They combine both English and Spanish phrases to help with comprehension.

Mango Languages is a free online tool that offers ESL courses tailored for Spanish speakers. You can'track your progress by creating an account using your library card.

We hope you find something in our Spanish collection to enjoy!

Autumn is a time to celebrate change – the beginning of a new school year, the leaves turning vibrantly colourful, the cooler weather inviting us to break out warm sweaters. This fall, Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) welcomes the return to in-person service at library branches across the city, as part of Toronto Public Library’s Stage 3 reopening.

LSP is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and expands settlement services by offering them in libraries across the city. TPL works with seven local settlement agencies to offer free one-on-one information and referral, as well as relevant programs for newcomers. 

For the past few months, LSP has continued to support newcomers with online settlement services. As part of Stage 3 reopening, LSP is now offering one-on-one appointment-based settlement service in select TPL branches.

Even though we are not able to celebrate the annual LSP Week in person this October, this longstanding partnership will continue to thrive and we would like to thank our settlement agency partners in working with us to bring back LSP safely to TPL.

To keep everyone safe, there will be no drop-in service, and appointments need to be scheduled before visiting the library.  A number of safety measures are in place: settlement workers are equipped with Personal Protective Equipment, acrylic shields are installed at LSP desks, and equipment and furniture are regularly cleaned. Don’t forget your mask or face covering when you visit us. If you are not feeling well, please stay home.

To find out which libraries have in-person LSP service available, visit the Settling in Toronto page. This webpage also lists LSP workers’ contact information, so you can connect with them directly, to make in-person appointments, or register for online programs.

Here are some upcoming LSP programs and these take place via Zoom, which is a third party online platform. The settlement workers can help walk you through the steps of using this platform carefully.

Citizenship Preparation

Online Citizenship Class
Hosted by LSP Partner TNO-The Neighbourhood Office 
Every Wednesday (October 7 to December 2, 2020), 1 – 2 pm
For full details or to register, contact Enas at ehabeeb@tno-toronto.org 

Online Citizenship Test Preparation Sessions (6-session series)
Hosted by LSP Partner Catholic Crosscultural Services
Thursdays, Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26, & Dec. 3, 10, 6 – 8 pm 
For full details or to register, contact Renee at rxu@ccscan.ca

Language Support

Online English Conversation Circle
Hosted by LSP Partner TNO-The Neighbourhood Office 
Every Tuesday, 1 – 2 pm
For full details or to register, contact Enas at ehabeeb@tno-toronto.org

English Conversation Group: Let’s Speak English!
Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre 
October 21, November 4, 18, 3 – 4 pm
For full details or to register, please visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

Online French Conversation Circle 
Hosted by LSP Partner CICS
November 11, 18, 25, 30 & December 2, 9, 16, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
For full details or to register, please contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.ca

A number of other in-person services are now available at TPL. These services have been adapted to ensure a safe experience for everyone. Find out more about:

• registering for a library card
• booking computer time
• reserving a 3D printer at a Digital Innovation Hub
• visiting a Youth Hub to study or use a laptop 

In addition to in-person services, TPL continues to offer free and quality online programs. Please also visit our New to Canada blog to learn more about library resources for newcomers to Canada.

We look forward to seeing you in the library!

With thanks to Stacey, LSP Outreach Librarian.

Edited October 30, 9:30 am: Added program information on Online French Conversation Circle.

As Toronto Public Library (TPL) moves into the next phase of re-opening, we continue to offer service to newcomers through Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP). TPL and seven local settlement agencies work together to offer free one-on-one information and referral, as well as relevant programs for newcomers. LSP is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Settlement workers continue to be reachable by email or phone. Please visit the Settling in Toronto page to connect directly with settlement workers. Reach out to an LSP Worker to keep informed what’s happening in the City of Toronto in response to COVID-19. You can also sign up for an upcoming online LSP program. These are taking place via Zoom, which is a third party online platform. The settlement workers can help walk you through the steps of using this platform carefully. 

Library Settlement Partnerships logo.

Here are some upcoming LSP programs.

Language Support

LSP: Canada My New Home – Steps to Fluency! & Discover Canada, hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 pm
• For full details or to register, visit newcomersincanada.ca

English Conversation Circle, hosted by LSP partner CICS

• July 14, 21, 28 and August 4, 11. 1 – 2 pm (Advanced) and 3 – 4 pm (Beginner)
• For full details or to register, contact Heng-fei at Heng-fei.Kuo@cicscanada.com

Health & Wellness

An Introduction to Parks Canada & Ontario Parks, hosted by LSP partner CultureLink

• July 15, 3 – 5 pm
• For full details or to register, contact Stanley at steo@culturelink.ca

Let's Mask It Together, hosted by LSP partner CICS

• July 16, 11 am – 12 pm
• For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

Job Skills & Small Business

Customer Service and Cashier Training, hosted by LSP partner CCS

• July 16 and 30, 2 – 4 pm
• For full details or to register, contact Wen at wchen@ccscan.ca

Small Business for Newcomers, hosted by LSP partner CCS

• August 20, 6 – 7:30 pm
• For full details or to register, contact Renee at rxu@ccscan.ca

Ways to Use the Library this Summer

Toronto Public Library has now extended its library service to provide in-branch computer access in select branches and will expand the service to other locations over the summer. Changes to our services will be added to our webpage at tpl.ca/reopening.

You can place holds and schedule a time to pick up them up at most of our library branches, through TPL’s scheduled pick-up service. Book drops are open to accept book, CD, DVD and magazine returns at most branches. Visit the full list of library branches for the most up-to-date information on which branches offer which services.

The library is offering many live and online programs for all ages. Check out our storytimes, computer classes, author events, and more.

Children can join the TD Summer Reading Club, which will take place online this year. Read books and get badges, read and write jokes, participate in weekly trivia, print out colouring sheets, and so much more! Learn more about the TD Summer Reading Club in this teaser video.

Looking for more ways to use the library over the summer? Check out this blog post on 38 Ways to Use the Library From Home.

Be sure to keep informed on what TPL and the City of Toronto are doing to help you stay healthy by reading our COVID-19 Information Guide.

Check out our homepage at tpl.ca for other online resources and programs at your fingertips. Stay home and stay safe. We look forward to seeing you online!

Our Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) service is still helping newcomers with their settlement questions through phone or email during our closure. Library Settlement Partnerships is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.        

LSP has been serving newcomers for more than 10 years. TPL and seven local settlement agencies work together to offer year-round helpful one-on-one information and referral and relevant programs for newcomers.

During this time, visit the Settling in Toronto page to connect directly with the settlement agencies. 

In addition to offering one-on-one support, there are online LSP programs. These are taking place via Zoom, which is a third party online platform. The settlement workers can help walk you through the steps of using this platform carefully. Check out these upcoming LSP programs from home: 

Language Support

Let's Talk, hosted by LSP partner Rexdale Women's Centre
May 21, 12:30 – 2:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Faiza at fesho@rexdalewomen.org 

Online French Conversation, hosted by LSP partner CICS 
May 14, 21, 28 and June 4, 11, 28, 25, 9 – 10 am
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

LSP: Canada My New Home-Discover Canada, hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Every Tuesday and Thursday, 4 – 5 pm
For more information or to register, visit:  https://newcomersincanada.ca/calendar/ or https://newcomersincanada.ca

Citizenship Preparation

Online Citizenship Series, hosted by LSP Partner CICS
May 18 and 15 and June 1, 8, 15, 22, 2 – 3 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

Online Library Resources

While you are staying home and staying safe, Toronto Public Library (TPL) continues to offer a variety of services online. If you do not have a library card, you can make use of the OverDrive eBooks & eAudiobooks collection by getting a Temporary Digital Card. You'll find an ebook, eaudiobook or video for everyone in the family. There are small collections in: Chinese, Spanish, Russian and Portuguese.

If you already have a library card, you can use all of TPL's online resources. For full details, check out the blog post, 38 Ways to Use Library from Home. Here are some useful highlights for families: 

Dial-A-Story

Call 416-395-5400 to hear children's stories over the phone in over 16 languages. 

Brainfuse

Get online help from tutors for students from kindergarten to Grade 12. 

Mango Languages

Interactive English as a Second Language courses.

PressReader

Full-page images of current and recent newspapers and magazines from over 100 countries, in over 60 languages. 

Hoopla

Popular movies and music. Since March 21st, Hoopla credits have been increased to 8 plays per library card per month. 

Kanopy

Stream from a great collection of classic films, world cinema, documentaries, and popular movies For each library card, you can get up to 8 plays per month. 

For different children's activities in French, this blog post will give you fun ideas: Online Activities and Resources in French.

Check out tpl.ca for other online resources and programs at your fingertips. Stay home and stay safe. We look forward to seeing you online!

Music is a universal language. When my paren'ts first moved to Canada, one thing that brought them together with their new friends was gathering for a meal and listening to music from their record collection. I remember Michael Jackson’s Bad and Whitney Houston’s debut album were both in heavy rotation.

I still can’t forget the day the mischievous son of one of my paren't’s friends decided the Michael Jackson Bad album would make a great Frisbee and threw it off our balcony! I remember watching wide-eyed as the shiny black disc landed on the roof of someone’s car.  I'm sad to say the record did not survive the fall. 

Thankfully, the library has a large collection of music for borrowing. If your love of music has you itching to try a new instrument, the Toronto Public Library can also help with that!  We have two Musical Instrument Lending Libraries at Downsview Branch and Parkdale Branch. These branches have a collection of instruments (guitars, ukuleles, bongos, violins and more) that can be borrowed for free with a valid library card. 

The Sun Life Musical Instrument Lending Library is the first of its kind in the city, and also the first in public libraries across Canada! With generous support from Sun Life through their Making the Arts More Accessible program, Toronto Public Library can offer families in Toronto an affordable (free!) way to learn a new instrument.

You may borrow one instrument at a time, and the loan period is for three weeks. You are allowed two renewals, which means you can keep the instrument for up to nine weeks in total. Instruments must be returned to the Musical Instrument Lending Library branch that they were borrowed from.

Make sure you watch the video about how to take care your musical instrument and then have a great time learning and practicing with your instrument.

Have you used our Musical Instrument Lending Library?  Share your experiences in the comments section below!

Have you ever wanted to edit a photo using Adobe Photoshop, or print out a 3D figurine? We can help with that! Toronto Public Library offers free access to a wide array of technology, software, and classes and that can help you complete these tasks! From computers equipped with professional software to 3D printers, we have 8 Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) across the system that are ready for you to visit. Here is information about just some of the different services and resources that are available to you! 

Computers & Equipment

Digital Innovation Hubs provide customers with a wide range of specialized software and equipment! Our DIHs have iMacs and Windows PCs equipped with the Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro X, and more! There is also a wide array of equipment that can help you complete your project, including recording equipment and Arduinos. Connect with your local Digital Innovation Hub to find out exactly what they have available!

3D Printing

Did you know that you can use a 3D printer to print objects such as jewelry, home appliance parts, toys, and phone accessories?

Come learn how to print a 3D design with the help of our staff or by attending a class! You can even learn to create a 3D design by attending a 3D design class. Full information about 3D printing, including the cost of materials, can be found on our website.

Fabrication Studio

Have you ever wanted to make a fabric creation, but lacked the necessary equipment? We have you covered! Located inside North York Central Library, our Fabrication Studio has sewing machines (including a serger) and a vinyl printer and cutter, and even a button maker! Join us for a program or class to learn more about what you can do in our Fabrication Lab. Visit our website for more information about what equipment is available, and how much materials cost! 

Pop-Up Learning Labs

Did you know that there are Pop-Up Learning Labs that travel to different branches each month with technology for you to explore? Pop-Up Learning Labs bring Digital Design Technicians to a new branch each month!

They also offer a variety of programs and classes for all age groups! Come explore what you can do with 3D printers, Arduinos, Lego Mindstorms, HTC Vives for virtual reality, Makey Makeys, and more. Be sure to check our website for a full schedule of which branches our Pop-Up Learning Labs will be visiting in 2020!

For a full list of services and resources available through our Digital Innovation Hubs, visit our website! We are excited to help you create!

Welcome to the loooooong weekend of love!

Valentine postcard from our Digital Archive.

Today is February 14, also known as Valentine's Day, a holiday celebrated by couples around the world to commemorate their love for one another. Not everyone looks forward to Valentine's Day, though…so instead of focusing on a romantic holiday for the weekend, let's focus on a more encompassing holiday of love —  Family Day!

What is Family Day?

Family Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February in six provinces across Canada. This year it's celebrated on Monday, February 17.

Over 30 years ago, the first Family Day holiday was celebrated in Alberta. The premier at the time, Don Getty, created the holiday because he believed it was necessary to set aside a day to strengthen the bonds between Canadian families.

Like Valentine's Day, Family Day is a celebration of the people you love in your life — your paren'ts, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparen'ts, friends and even neighbours. You aren't limited to the people you share genes with, family is any kind of community of people who love, support and care for you. They are the people that make you feel most safe and comfortable. Like Vin Diesel says in the popular blockbuster franchise The Fast and the Furious, "I don't have friends. I have family." 

Why is spending time with your loved ones so important? 

Immigrating to a new country can be tough, especially with language barriers that may hinder you from creating important relationships, so take the time to spend it with people who know and understand you the most. 

In Canada, the rates of loneliness are skyrocketing. One in five Canadians identify as lonely. Did you know that loneliness has a direct impact on our mental and physical health? Studies have linked loneliness to an increasing risk of dementia, stroke, obesity and other immune disorders. So grab a family member or a friend and spend the day with them — it isn't just fun, it's good for your health, too!

Image from Pexels.com.

If you're having trouble figuring out what to do over the long weekend, here are some ideas based on how Toronto Public Library staff are planning to spend their Family Day!

How are TPL staff spending Family Day?

"I have a large extended family, and on some family days we all get together (all fifteen of us!) for a meal, and to hang out and play games and spend time with each other. I’ve also gotten together with family members to do an escape room on Family Day. That was a blast!"

— Suzanne, Services Specialist

"My family doesn't really celebrate, but its always the long weekend and around my birthday so I meet up with my friends — who are technically my extended family members!"

— Nishtha, Digital Design Technician

"I try to find special events that are happening in and around Toronto. I’ll find a bunch of ideas and ask my daughter what she wants to do and let her choose. Whatever we end up doing though we make sure to squeeze in some sushi at the end of the day!"

— Hector, Branch Head

"While it's not actually blood relatives, a group of my really close friends has started the tradition of going to a cottage for Family Day. We usually go cross-country skiing, eat huge meals and play games or music in the evening.  The highlight is building a track for the GT Racer and racing down the hill. "

— Andrew, Senior Library Assistant

"My mom makes Biryani and a dessert made of semolina flour, butter and milk. Our neighbours also drop by and we all just eat food, watch hockey or a movie together, and play with our pet budgie!"

— Aisha, Page

Cooking together as a family is a great activity. Toronto Star Photograph Archive, 1998.

More things to do

All of our branches will be closed on Monday, February 17 for Family Day. But you can always come to one of our Mini Makers program on Sunday, February 16 at 16 different branches across the city! This is a great opportunity for families with children ages 4-8 to explore STEM activities.

You could also sign out a Museum and Arts Pass from over 30 branches across the city. All you need is an adult library card to get free admission for you and your family to many of Toronto's museums and cultural attractions.

*Please note that the ROM and Ontario Science Centre MAP passes cannot be used over Family Day weekend.

For more fun ideas, visit the City of Toronto website.

Books you can read with your little ones for Family Day:

How are you planning to celebrate Family Day? Share in the comments below!

Every February, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month events and celebrate Black culture, heritage and achievement in Canada. The theme this year, "Canadians of African Descent: Going forward, guided by the past," was inspired by the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024). 

Government of Canada, Canadian Heritage: Black History Month

Download your poster now!

More than just a time to reflect on the past, Black History Month is a time to learn about the many contributions and accomplishments of African-Canadians. Here are five interesting facts that you may not know:

1. The first recorded Black person to come to Canada was Mathieu Da Costa. He was an African'translator who worked for French and Dutch explorers in the early 1600s. 
2. Harriet Tubman, the famous abolitionist who led runaway slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad, lived in St. Catharines, Ontario from 1851 to 1857.
3. The Honourable Lincoln Alexander, became Canada's first Black cabinet minister, as Minister of Labour in the federal government, in 1979. Alexander went on to became Ontario’s first Black Lieutenant Governor in 1985.
4. In 1993, the Honourable Jean Augustine became the first Black Canadian woman elected to the Parliament of Canada. Augustine championed legislation to recognize February as Black History Month in Canada.
5. The experiences of the fugitive slave, Josiah Henson, who escaped to Dresden, Ontario in 1830, inspired the novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. This cabin is now a historic site.
   

   Uncle Tom's Cabin. Toronto Star Photograph Archive, 1977.

This photograph of Uncle Tom's Cabin and many more rare documents are located in the Baldwin Collection at Toronto Reference Library. 

Programs at the Library

There are many ways to celebrate Black History Month at the Library! Participate in an Interactive Steelpan Drum workshop or attend an Author talk. Families can watch a lively puppet show or break a sweat at a Caribbean Folk & African Dance Style Workshop.

Recommended Reads

Are you interested in reading something new? Check out a book from the Black History Month 2020 recommended reading list for adults and teens and children. Interested in reading more? You can peruse Toronto Public Library's Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection in person. The collection was pioneered by Dr. Rita Cox in 1973 and is one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind in Canada.

Psst…did you know?

While February is a time to celebrate Black History Month in Canada, Toronto Public Library has Black history and cultural programs all year round! Join us on March 17 as Novuyo Rosa Tshuma talks about her debut novel House of Stone or delight in some African Storytelling 'N Music with Sonia Aimy on April 18 at the Palmerston Branch. Our listings are always being updated so check out the programs on our webpage often!

Did you know that Toronto Public Library is the largest library system in North America? With its 100 branches, it offers various programs and services for all ages.

Here is what your Library can offer:

Adult Literacy Services

The Adult Literacy Program offers free one-on-one tutoring to English-speaking adults in basic reading, writing and math. Watch our video and check out our Adult Literacy Collection. Call us at 416-395-5555 or find out more about the hours and locations online.

Borrow Materials

Borrow books, music, movies and more. Toronto Public Library has a large collection of fiction and nonfiction. Are you a fan of mystery, romance, graphic books or science fiction? Do you enjoy reading about history or biographies? Are you studying business and personal finance? Are you interested in cooking or health and wellness? Do you prefer Audiobook CDs, eBooks, eAudiobooks? How about music CDs? Enjoy finding the right materials for you and your family. Toronto Public Library has something special for everyone!

Can't find a book you want at your local branch? Place a hold and reserve materials you need. We will send the requested items to your library branch for pick up.

Don’t have time to visit a library branch? You can download eBooks, digital magazines and newspapers, movies and music online and listen or read on a computer, tablet or mobile device.

Need help with your reports, essays and other school and work projects? Check out our homework help resources and programs or use research databases to access articles, business directories, and practice tests.

Dial-a-Story

Check out our Dial-a-Story service available in 16 languages! Listen to a story by phone any time of day for FREE by calling the library's Dial-A-Story service at 416-395-5400. 

Digital Innovation Hubs

Access cutting-edge technology and training at our Digital Innovation Hubs.

Use computer workstations with creation and design software like Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and much more. Find out more about the software we have.

Attend free hands-on classes on different pieces of technology and software for a wide range of ages and interests.

Print and design objects with our 3D printers and software.

Use our recording studios to create a podcast, record a song, shoot a commercial or work on a video for school.

Home Library Service

Interested in Borrowing materials, but cannot come to the Library due to age, illness or disability? Home Library Services is here to help! We can help you with monthly delivery up to 20 items free of charge. Tell us about your reading interests and which day of the month your deliveries you would like us to send and enjoy. Call us at 416-395-5557 to verify your eligibility and for more details.

Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) program

The Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) program and Settlement Workers provide in person one-on-one assistance to help newcomers with their settlement issues. Come to the library to meet with a settlement worker who can help you get started in Toronto and Canada. Find out more details about our program hours and locations.

Museum + Arts Pass

Enjoy free admission to Toronto museum and cultural attractions! Sign out a MAP Pass with your adult library card and you and your family can get free admission to many Toronto museums and other cultural attractions.

Some passes for some venues are available only through a limited number of library branches. Contact your branch of visit our MAP webpage for full details.

Programs

Toronto Public Library has various programs to offer: storytimes, computer classes, career and job search, author events and more.  Enjoy finding the right program for you and your loved ones. You can even browse our programs by location!

Toronto Public Library Website and Services in your Native Language

Learn more about the services Toronto Public Library offers in your native language.

Interested in browsing Toronto Public Library website, but are having some difficulty reading the content in English? Not a problem anymore. Now you can access the Toronto Public Library website in your native language using Google Translate. Despite the fact that the automatic machine translation has its limitations, it can help you understand the general content of the website. 

Get your Library Card Today

So why wait? Start your New Year off right by getting a Toronto Public Library card and visiting us at any one of our 100 locations!

Holiday season is here! Here are some things to do in Toronto to make your holiday season bright.

Toronto’s official Christmas tree

Bring the holiday spirit to life by visiting Nathan Phillips Square to see the city’s official Christmas tree. The beautiful giant glitters with more than 525,000 lights and 700 individual ornaments. Enjoy Holiday Fair in Nathan Phillips Square.

Toronto Christmas Market

Discover Christmas charm and elegance by visiting the Toronto Christmas Market. Enjoy dance performances, have fun shopping, share a tender moment with your family and loved ones.

Toronto Christmas Market. Image courtesy of Kevin Cabral.

Allan Gardens Winter Flower Show

Tired of white and snow? Visit Allan Gardens to enjoy a Christmas must-see Winter Flower Show.

Allan Gardens Conservatory. Image by author.

Skating, Skiing, snowboarding

When there is snow on the ground, grab your skates and hit the ice at one of Toronto's 54 outdoor ice rinks. Interested in skiing and snowboarding? Discover the City’s ski areas and snowboarding centers. Want a bit more excitement? Try tobogganing!

Toronto Public Library

Visit your local Library branch for a fun memorable program. Enjoy a family game afternoon or a holiday movie night, a holiday craft or a cookie decorating class. Toronto Public Library has a holiday program for everyone.

Too cold to go out? Here are some books to enjoy during the Christmas holidays.

Interested in mystery and romance? You might like the following titles.

Here are some new additions to our children collection.

The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 1948. This was a milestone document proclaiming the rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being regardless of their background. We commemorate the signing of this document on Human Rights Day every December 10. Did you know that the UDHR is available in more than 500 languages? It is the most translated document in the world.

This year's theme for Human Rights Day is Youth Standing up for Human Rights to "spotlight the leadership role of youth in collective movements as a source of inspiration for a better future." Youth have an important role in activism, and it is wonderful to see the United Nations recognize that youth participation is essential to the human rights movement. 

Canada is actually home to the only museum in the world dedicated to Human Rights. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights opened in 2014 and is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is the only museum entirely devoted to human rights for all, and has won many awards since it opened its doors. If you can't make it to the museum, here are some titles from our catalogue to help you explore the topic in the meantime:

The Right to Be Cold by Sheila Watt-Cloutier

Human Rights in the Age of Platforms by Rikke Frank Jørgensen 

Human Rights in an Unequal World by Samuel Moyn

Dear Baba by Maryam Rafiee

Memes to Movements: How the World's Most Viral Media is Changing Social Protest and Power by An Xiao Mina

Learning a new language can be challenging, but it can be easy with Toronto Public Library’s help. 

Did you know that Toronto Public Library has a vast English as a Second Language (ESL) collection?

Every Toronto Public Library branch has some ESL books, but you will find the biggest collections at Research & Reference Libraries and District Branches. 

Toronto Reference Library

Toronto Reference Library has over 5,000 ESL items as of 2019. This collection has many popular topics to choose from. New ESL items arrive daily. You will be pleasantly surprised at the width and depth of vocabulary used in today’s society.

Are you a Toronto District School Board ESL student or an international student from ILAC (International Language Academy Canada) or CES (Centre for English Studies, Toronto)? Are you an ESL teacher or an educator trying to pass your specific language proficiency exam? You are not alone! Toronto Public Library is here to help. With acronyms such…

• CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment)
• CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)
• CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
• FCE (First Certificate in English)
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

…and more, every month there is a different flavor added to the ESL curriculum.

For those very new to ESL there are a variety of picture dictionaries. The bilingual Spanish-English and Arabic-English are currently the most popular.

You can also check out English Conversation Circles at your local library branch. They are a great opportunity to practice English and improve your speaking and communication skills in a friendly environment.

ESL Class at the 519 Church Street by Andrew Stawicki, 1997. Toronto Star Photograph Archive.

Why not try Mango Languages? This online learning tool helps you learn a new language with lessons on vocabulary and grammar accompanied by exercises. You can even create an account to track your progress. It's available for free with a valid Toronto Public Library card.

As students eagerly await the release of IELTS 15, current students must face the complexities of testing and passing the IELTS exam using publications from at least 20 different publishers of IELTS materials for both general and academic admission.

To succeed in IELTS, get into university or college or apply to take the citizenship test it's important to learn more about Canadian history, geography and culture.

Learn more about Canadian raw materials and specialty foods with a Beginning Look at Canada. You could also sign out an advanced listening course and become a better listener and effective communicator by using some of the CD materials in the library or at home.

Have a listen or look at some of the easy readers published by Penguin Canada, graded readers which lists the reading level from 200- 2500 words per text and quick reads from Overdrive.

Check out ESL Writer’s Handbook by Maeve Eberhardt for great tips on grammar and style, punctuation, special types of writing, e-mail guidelines, resumes, cover letters and personal statements. It also contains common correction symbols for editing.

Learn how to create great sentences, great paragraphs and even greater essays. Look up word you thought you knew in the handy glossary.

Marvel at the patterns of essay organization and investigate in-depth how to write a research paper. Learn a myriad of useful expressions and colloquialisms for both every day and official use.

Practical English Usage by Michael Swan is a great guide. You’ll be amazed at the variety of expressions. Keep your dangling participles up to date. Reduce wordiness because it can represent a lack of skill. Do not use more words than necessary. Avoid unnecessary repetition.

Take away a brochure from the latest TDSB offerings available at all Toronto Public Library Branches.

There are many ways to improve your English language skills. Good luck on your tests!

Posted on behalf of Ted, librarian at Toronto Reference Library.

Did you know that Toronto Public Library has Romanian materials available for borrowing? Pick up a book, a CD or a DVD at your local library branch, or access online materials in Romanian. Have a look numerous items available for children and adults. 

If you're new to the Library, you can learn more in this free guide to library information in Romanian. 

To find Romanian materials at the Library, hover over “Books, DVDs, & Music” section on the left upper corner of the Toronto Public Library homepage main menu and select “Material in your Language” option.

Did you know that there are three library branches that carry Romanian materials at the Toronto Public Library? You'll find medium collections (750-1,500 items) at Fairview Branch and Toronto Reference Library and small collection (fewer than 750 items) at Brookbanks Branch.

Toronto Reference Library.

Toronto Public Library has a lot to offer to Romanian Torontonians. Check out some of the great Romanian materials we have!

Other Useful Resources

English Conversation Circle

Interested in improving you English language speaking skills? Check out our English Conversation Circles, free programs offered at various branches. Practice your conversation skills in friendly and relaxing environment.

Mango Languages

For those willing to learn languages so you can start enjoying amazing movies, music and books, try Mango Languages. This online learning tool helps you learn a new language with lessons on vocabulary and grammar accompanied by exercises. You can even create an account to track your progress.

Naxos Music Library

Interested in Romanian music? Check out Naxos Music Library to enjoy hundreds of great Romanian music albums from medieval to modern, classical, jazz, electronic and more for free with your library card.

Library Settlement Partnership Workers

Besides books, music and movies, we also have Library Settlement Partnership workers in some branches who can help newcomers with information on employment, housing, education, immigration, citizenship, health, recreation and much more.

Toronto Public Library Website in Romanian

Are you interested in browsing Toronto Public Library website, but having some difficulty reading the content in English? Not a problem. Now you can access the Toronto Public Library website in Romanian using Google Translate. Despite the fact that the automatic machine translation has its limitations, it can help you understand the general content of the website. 

On behalf of Toronto Public Library, we hope that you enjoy our Romanian Collection. 

Welcome to the Library!

In 1992, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly designated October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This day recognizes that people living in poverty experience many interrelated deprivations that prevent them from realizing their rights and perpetuate their poverty, including:

• dangerous work conditions
• unsafe housing
• lack of nutritious food
• unequal access to justice
• lack of political power
• limited access to health care

(Source: United Nations)

The UN recognizes that poverty is not solely an economic issue, but a multilayered phenomenon that encompasses both a lack of income and the basic capabilities to live in dignity.  

The 2019 theme for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is "Acting Together to Empower Children, their Families and Communities to End Poverty." This is to recognize that 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention recognizes the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development. You may be interested to read the 2019 edition of the State of the World’s Children for more information.  You may also use this day as an opportunity to start this conversation with a child. 

If you're looking for a way to broach the topic of poverty with a child, here are some books that can help you get the conversation started.

Home in the Woods by Eliza Wheeler

On Our Street: Our First Talk About Poverty by Jillian Roberts

Poverty and Hunger by Louise Spilsbury

This week, Toronto Public Library (TPL) celebrates Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP), a service offered at 14 library locations through partnership with seven local settlement agencies. This program expands TPL’s newcomer services by providing a dedicated space for multilingual settlement workers to connect with newcomers in our libraries. And every October, we celebrate with LSP Week programs and activities!

We invite you to come celebrate LSP Week with us October 15-26, 2019 by attending special programs offered at nine library branches. Last year’s LSP Week celebrations brought over a thousand people together at 12 events across the city. Events are scheduled to coincide with Canadian Citizenship Week (October 13 to 19, 2019) and Ontario Public Library Week (October 20 to 26, 2019).

Each year, LSP Week programming is centered around a theme. This year’s theme, “Thankfulness,” acknowledges Thanksgiving Day (October 14) which marks the start of LSP Week. The theme of thankfulness gives us an opportunity to reflect upon the things for which we are grateful in Canada and how we can give back to our communities.

This year, with nine libraries offering a variety of activities for all ages, LSP Week 2019 will provide memorable experiences that engage, with cultural music and dance performances, special guest speakers, and much more. Some of the events include:

• Indigenous Hand Drum Circle with Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone at Toronto Reference Library, Thursday October 17, 2 – 3:30 pm
• LSP Week Celebration at Centennial Branch, Friday October 18, 2:30 – 4 pm
• LSP Celebration Day at Agincourt Branch, Friday October 18, 3:30 – 5:30 pm
• Award-winning film Kayak to Klemtu, REEL CANADA film screening and presentation at Fairview Branch, Tuesday October 22, 12:30 – 2:30 pm
• A meditation session led by a Tibetan monk at Parkdale Branch, Saturday October 26, 11 am – 12 pm

LSP provides access to settlement services at Toronto Public Library branches across the city. Meet a settlement worker one on one, or attend a library program. In 2018, over 23,900 newcomers accessed LSP, and over 900 programs were offered. There are currently 14 LSP branches:

• Agincourt Branch
• Albion Branch
• Bridlewood Branch
• Centennial Branch
• Eatonville Branch
• Fairview Branch
• Flemingdon Park Branch
• Lillian H. Smith Branch
• Mimico Centennial Branch
• Parkdale Branch
• Parliament Street Branch
• Richview Branch
• Thorncliffe Branch
• Toronto Reference Library

Toronto Public Library partners with seven local settlement agencies for LSP:

• Catholic Crosscultural Services
• Centre for Immigrant and Community Services
• CultureLink Settlement and Community Services
• Kababayan Multicultural Centre
• Rexdale Women's Centre
• TNO–The Neighbourhood Organization
• YMCA Newcomer Information Centre

Be sure to check our Settling in Toronto page to find more information about LSP and visit our New to Canada blog to learn about library resources for newcomers to Canada. We look forward to seeing you this LSP Week!

Read more about previous years’ LSP celebrations:

• 2018: LSP’s 10th anniversary
• 2017: Celebration 150+
• 2016: Dance from Around the World
• 2015: Music from Around the World
• 2014: Food from Around the World

International Day of Sign Language (IDSL) is celebrated each year on September 23. This year's theme is "‘Sign Language Rights for All!’.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 5% of the world's population are deaf or hard of hearing. That number equals to just over 460 million people. 

Photo courtesy of the United Nations.

Hundreds of sign languages exist around the world. One of the most commonly used sign languages in North America is American Sign Language or ASL.

Although there are many sign languages, it remains difficult to get sign language recognized as an official form of communication. Often times, members of the deaf community feel marginalized or even discriminated against because of this.

The purpose of this UN-designated holiday is two-fold: to raise awareness for those that are deaf or hard of hearing and to emphasize sign language as a legitimate language.

With the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD), the UN identified the need for governments to "support specific cultural and linguistic identity, including sign languages and deaf culture."

If you'd like to learn how to sign, Malvern Branch is holding a series of American Sign Language meet-ups. Their next series will take place every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m. from Oct. 16-Nov. 13. This is the perfect place to learn the basics of ASL, brush up on your existing skills and learn more about deaf culture. Beginners are welcome! 

Consider watching online story videos presented in sign language with your children available via OverDrive. All you need is to sign-in with your library card to access them. We also offer Discover Sign Language, a free, 6-week online course accessible with your library card through Gale Courses.

Here are some materials to get you started on signing and learning about deaf culture:

More resources

• Visit our Accessible Collections page for more information about our collections in various formats
• My colleagues Myrna and Melanie L. wrote this fantastic blog post about Learning ASL at Home

Edited July 10, 2020: Added More resources section with links to our Accessible Collections page and a blog post about learning ASL at home.

Do you know any more resources for learning sign language? Comment down below!

Toronto Public Library has books, movies, music, and digital content in over 40 different languages. One of those languages is Somali. If you would like to browse our Somali material in person, please visit one of the following five branches that host the collection:

• Albion Branch
• Barbara Frum Branch
• Parliament Street Branch
• Richview Branch
• Toronto Reference Library

Alternatively, you can browse the Somali collection on our website and place a hold on a book, a DVD, or a CD. You can choose which one of our 100 branches you would like to pick up your holds at.

If you are new to Toronto, or new to the Toronto Public Library, visit one of our branches and sign up for a library card! You will need to bring valid and current name and address identification. Visit our Your Library Card page for more information about eligibility and what you can do with your library card. 

You can also learn more information about the library by reading this guide in Somali.

In 1965, UNESCO declared September 8 to be International Literacy Day. During this time people and organizations world wide highlight and celebrate the importance of literacy. While literacy rates have been improving, there is still much work to be done globally. 

Image from Kwame Manu. Used with permission.

This year's theme is Literacy and Multilingualism.

How will you be spending International Literacy Day? Toronto Public Library offers a wide variety of programs and there is something for everyone! Perhaps you are interested in improving your health and wellness or attending an author talk.

For those who are interested in money matters, there are several personal finance programs at our branches across the city, covering a variety of topics from protecting yourself from scams to getting out of debt.

Would you like to enjoy some free family time at the library? There are many fun and informative programs for kids and teens available that will interest youngsters of all ages.

Whether you read in English, Urdu, Chinese or another language, Toronto Public Library has many resources to choose from. Our language collection is available at many branches throughout the city. You can also check out eBooks in a variety of languages through our OverDrive database or enjoy reading magazines and newspapers online through PressReader. Find out more and get started.

If you would like to brush up on your speaking skills, you can attend ESL programs at the library or borrow one of our many books, CDs and DVDs. Interested in improving your reading or writing skills? Check out the library's Adult Literacy program for free tutoring to English-speaking adults who are interested in improving their basic reading, writing or math skills.

Aligning with UNESCO's focus on literacy, learners from adult literacy programs across Toronto, wrote stories that were showcased in Line By Line Sharing Ourselves & Our Stories. You can borrow a copy from the library or download the PDF version today!

Related posts:

• International Literacy Day – A Focus on Skills Development (2018)
• Sept 8 is International Literacy Day (2017)

In 2008, the UN General Assembly designated August 19th as World Humanitarian Day.  This day recognizes humanitarian workers who have risked and lost their lives in humanitarian service. Every year, World Humanitarian Day focuses on bringing together people from across the world to advocate for the survival, well-being, and dignity of people affected by crises.

World Humanitarian Day 2019 celebrates Women Humanitarians and their contribution in making the world a better place. The goal of World Humanitarian Day this year is to recognize the strength, power and perseverance of women in humanitarian efforts.  The UN would like to recognize women who have acted as first responders in times of crisis.

Here are our picks for books we hope can give you a little insight into the humanitarian efforts of women in the field.

Chasing Chaos: My Decade in and out of Humanitarian Aid by Jessica Alexander

A Rebel in Gaza: Behind the Lines of the Arab Spring: One Woman's Story by Asmaa al-Ghoul

Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies and Aid by Samantha Nutt

The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and my fight against the Islamic State by Nadia Murad

Why not read one of these books and make it count towards the 2019 Toronto Public Library Reading Challenge?  Let us know if you have read any of these in the comments below.  

Summer is a great time for you and your kids to explore your local library and participate in exciting Summer Wonder programs.

Each library hosts a variety of programs and activities between June 28 and August 31 that are fun and free for your family to enjoy. Kids can find a program that interests them using our TPL Kids webpage! Summer Wonder is an excellent way for kids to discover new interests, build their skills, and meet new friends. Encourage your kids to come out and add their questions about the world to a wonder wall, or participate in a creative challenge each week at the branch!

To keep kids reading all summer long, visit a library branch near you and register them for the TD Summer Reading Club! When kids register, they will receive a kit that includes a notebook and a web access code. Once your kids have registered, here are the next steps:

Step 1: Pick a book to read

Your kids can read any book that interests them, whether it is fiction or nonfiction. If your kids need some recommendations, be sure to ask staff at your local library branch! You can also take a look at our Recommended Books page. Kids can also read an ebook using Overdrive for Kids! 

Step 2: Visit a library and tell us about the book

Once your kids have finished reading their chosen book, come in and tell us about it! Be sure to have them write down the title and author of the book in their notebook. Once they have finished their book report, we will give them a sticker! Book reporting times can differ by branch, so be sure to contact your local branch and ask them when you can come in! 

Step 3: Repeat steps 1 & 2 until the notebook is full

We have 12 stickers that kids can collect by completing book reports. Once the notebook is full, they can still keep reading for fun! 

Kids can also explore the TD Summer Reading Club website using their unique web access code. They can read jokes written by other kids, share their thoughts with comments, print fun colouring pages, and track the books they have read! If you are away for the summer, you can also use this website to report on the books your kids read. 

For more information on how the club works, take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions for Paren'ts.

If you’re new to Toronto, a welcoming place to visit is your local library. During your visit, you can sign up for a free library card, find books, movies, and music in your language, attend free library programs, and even access settlement services. To learn more about the library, check out the welcome document, translated into over 40 languages, for more information.

This July and August, settlement workers will be located in Toronto Public Library (TPL) branches across the city as part of Settlement and Education Partnerships in Toronto (SEPT). This program, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is made available during the summer months. TPL works with various settlement agencies to coordinate the service, and SEPT workers offer one-on-one service and programs in libraries to support newcomers as they adjust to living in their new communities.

There are 14 library branches where you can visit a SEPT settlement worker this summer:

• Barbara Frum
• Black Creek
• Burrows Hall
• Cedarbrae
• Downsview
• Goldhawk Park
• Humber Summit
• Jane/Sheppard
• Malvern
• Maria A. Shchuka
• North York Central Library
• Steeles
• Weston
• York Woods

SEPT workers facilitate access to library resources, such as online tools for learning English, and the Museum + Arts Pass (MAP), which allows library users to visit a number of Toronto museums and other cultural attractions for free. SEPT workers also provide assistance in locating services and resources in the city, to support newcomers with:

• Seeking a place to live
• Getting a job and upgrading skills
• Finding a family doctor and access to health care
• Registering in schools
• Signing up for sports and recreation programs
• Preparing for a citizenship test

Toronto Public Library also offers settlement services year-round with Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP), funded by IRCC. Through LSP, newcomers can access one-on-one information referrals and programs at branches across the city. At this time, there are 14 library branches with LSP:

• Agincourt
  
• Albion
• Bridlewood
• Centennial
• Eatonville
• Fairview
• Flemingdon Park
• Lillian H. Smith
• Mimico Centennial
• Parkdale
• Parliament Street
• Richview
• Thorncliffe
• Toronto Reference Library

It’s vital for every newcomer to feel a sense of belonging and civic engagement. Please come visit a settlement worker at a library this summer! We are here to help. And check out our New to Canada blog for more information about library programs and services.

Tansi (Cree)! Boozoo (Ojibway)! Alo (Michif)! Sago (Mohawk)! Ullaqut (Inuktitut)! Hello!

For thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples have lived in the land that is known as Canada. Each group has its own distinct culture and history that is interwoven into this country. They include the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (and there are many more bands within those groups).

To commemorate the rich history, unique culture and diverse contributions of Indigenous Peoples, National Aboriginal Day was created in 1996 by then Governor General Roméo LeBlanc after a push from several Indigenous groups. It was later renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) in 2017 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The holiday is celebrated each year on June 21.

Here are a few ways you can celebrate NIPD:

Attend an Event

Fort York National Historic Site will be holding an Indigenous Arts Festival from June 18-23. The festival will feature Indigenous storytelling, theatre performances, live music, dance, craft-making and food. Admission is free.

The City of Toronto has an annual Sunrise Ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square at 5:30 am on June 21.

Na-Me-Res will also be holding their Annual Traditional Pow Wow on June 22, with the grand entry at 12 pm and a free concert at 6 pm. Come meet crafters and vendors, learn more about Indigenous culture and dance your heart away! If this is your first time attending a powwow, this guide written by the CBC might be helpful.

Appreciate

A great way of celebrating NIPD is to appreciate the efforts and achievements of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Here are a few notable figures.

Photo courtesy of Province of BC/Flickr CC.

Jody Wilson-Raybould was Canada's first Indigenous Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Before that, she was a crown prosecutor in British Columbia and a Treaty Commissioner of the Assembly of First Nations. She sat on several boards, councils, and commissions to help protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. She was the 2017 recipient of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business's Indigenous Women in Leadership Award.

Photo courtesy of 2017 Canada Summer Games/Flickr CC.

Buffy Sainte-Marie is an award-winning singer/songwriter. She first rose to fame for her song Universal Soldier which symbolized the anti-Vietnam War movement. Since then, she has released over a dozen albums and continues to use her music to advocate for Indigenous Peoples. She was inducted to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1995 and is an Officer in the Order of Canada.

Alanis Obomsawin is an Indigenous filmmaker, singer, and activist. She began her career as a singer in the 60s and moved on to become a filmmaker, capturing the realities of Indigenous communities. Obomsawin has created more than 50 documentaries, her most well known being Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance.

Learn More

2019 is the International Year of Indigenous Languages. Through the colonization of Indigenous Peoples, many have lost their ability to speak their cultural language. There is a movement to restore the languages that have been lost. Here is an education tool that lists some common phrases in some Indigenous languages (PDF).

Toronto is situated on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. Through the Dish With One Spoon treaty that was signed in the 1700s, an agreement was made to share and protect the land. If you'd like to know more about the land you are situated on visit Whose Land.

Library Materials By and About Indigenous Peoples

Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese.

Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese.

Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq.

Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga.

Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice.

The Reason You Walk by Wab Kinew.

The Secret Path by Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire.

Tunirrusiangit by Kenojuak Ashevak and Tim Pitsiulak.

Medicine Songs (CD) by Buffy Sainte-Marie.

Mamaqtuq! by The Jerry Cans and Eric Kim.

Further Reading

• Toronto Public Library's Read Indigenous list 
• Spadina Road's Native People's Collection 
• CBC Book's list of Indigenous reads recommended by Indigenous writers
• The Canadian government's #IndigenousReads list 

How will you be spending NIPD? Comment down below!

Mikwec (Cree)! Miigwech (Ojibway)! Marsi (Michif)! Nia:wen (Mohawk)! Naqumik (Inuktitut)! Thank you!

Armenian Materials at your Library | Հայերեն Նյութեր Ձեր Գրադարանում

Did you know that Toronto Public Library has Armenian materials available for borrowing? Pick up a book, a CD, or a DVD at your local library, or access online materials in Armenian. Have a look at the thousands of items available for children and adults at Toronto Public Library. 

If you're new to the library, you can learn more in this free guide to library information in Armenian. 

To find Armenian materials at the library, hover over “Books, Videos and more” section on the left upper corner of the Toronto Public Library homepage main menu and select “Material in your Language” option.

Did you know that there are three library branches that carry Armenian materials at the Toronto Public Library? You'll find medium collection (750-1,500 items) at Fairview Branch and small collections (fewer than 750 items) at Bridlewood Branch and Toronto Reference Library.

Fairview Branch.

Toronto Public Library has a lot to offer to Armenian Torontonians. Check out some of the great Armenian materials we have at the library.

Other Useful Resources

Mango Languages

For those willing to learn Armenian language so you can start enjoying amazing movies, music and books, try Mango Languages.  This online learning tool helps you learn a new language with lessons on vocabulary and grammar accompanied by exercises. You can even create an account to track your progress.

Naxos Music Library

Interested in Armenian music? Check out Naxos Music Library to enjoy hundreds of Armenian great music albums spanning medieval to modern – classical, jazz, electronic, etc. for free with your library card.

Library Settlement Partnership workers

Besides books, music, and movies, we also have Library Settlement Partnership workers in some branches who can help newcomers with information on employment, housing, education, immigration, citizenship, health, recreation, and much more.

Toronto Public Library website in Armenian (Հայերեն)

Interested in browsing Toronto Public Library website, but are having some difficulty reading the content in English? Not a problem anymore. Now you can access the Toronto Public Library website in Armenian (Հայերեն) using Google Translate. Despite the fact that the automatic machine translation has its limitations, it can help you understand the general content of the website. 

On behalf of Toronto Public Library, we hope that you enjoy our Armenian Collection. 

Welcome to the library!

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada! While Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated since the 1990s, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration in May 2002. This month continues to be a time to celebrate the contributions that Canadians of Asian origin have made, and continue to make, to the prosperity and growth of our country.

Toronto Public Library is joining the celebration by offering a variety of programs and events in May for all age groups:

• Learn the art of Chinese Brush Painting at Albert Campbell Branch
• Enjoy a movie screening of The Man Who Knew Infinity at Malvern Branch
• Take a Sushi Workshop at Albion Branch
• Witness a Japanese Swordsmanship Demonstration at Deer Park Branch
• Create Enchanting Henna designs at S. Walter Stewart Branch
• Participate in the 1000 Paper Crane Challenge at North York Central Library

Visit our website for a full list of Asian Heritage Month programs and events. If you have already attended an Asian Heritage Month program, please let us know how it was in the comments below!

In addition to the wonderful programs listed above, we have also curated a list of recommended reads for all ages!

For children:

For teens:

For adults:

For more recommended books, take a look at the Asian Heritage Month Reading List! Have you already read one of these books? Do you have a book you would recommend? Let us know!

On April 23, 57 new Canadians from 23 countries took the oath as part of a community citizenship ceremony at Toronto Reference Library. This event was made possible thanks to the partnership with Institute of Canadian Citizenship (ICC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

This memorable milestone began with a special heartwarming message from Elder Laureen "Blu" Waters Gaudio, who welcomed everyone as Treaty People and to Canada. She asked the new Canadians to share their ideas and stories and highlighted how their presence contributes to the diversity of Canada. New Canadians also had meaningful conversations about their journey and active citizenship with community leaders and members at the roundtables before the ceremony. City Librarian, Vickery Bowles, was one of the roundtable hosts, sharing her story and experiences with the new Canadians and their families.

At the ceremony, Vickery encouraged everyone present to be active and engaged citizens. She also spoke about the strong values of public libraries including diversity, intellectual freedom, equity and innovation. Dr. Neda Maghbouleh, an author and Assistant Professor of Sociology, participated in the roundtable discussions and spoke at the ceremony as well. Presiding Citizenship Judge Albert Wong closed the ceremony by encouraging the children and youth to study well and practice hard.

The journey from being a newcomer to becoming a citizen may not always be smooth and Toronto Public Library (TPL) is here to help! We welcome newcomers to visit our branches for the helpful collections and programs or visit our New to Canada page to learn more about what we have to offer. ICC's Chief Executive Officer, Yasir Naqvi, shared that he and his family got their library cards shortly after they arrived 30 years ago and they have always appreciate the Library's resources.

One essential service for newcomers to Toronto is the Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP). It is funded by IRCC and features knowledgeable and multilingual settlement workers who offer one-on-one information referrals and programs for newcomers at several TPL branches. LSP's goal is to help newcomers settle in Toronto over the long term. 

To celebrate and welcome newcomers, TPL participates in the annual Toronto Newcomer Day that takes place at Nathan Phillips Square. The first Toronto Newcomer Day took place in 2015 and this  year marks its 5th anniversary. Some of the activities for this year are: 

The Welcome Gesture, led by Dreamwalk Dance Company and starting at 12:15 pm. It will feature hundreds of ESL and LINC students. Part of the gesture is a dance and movement experience that supports and celebrates the Canadian values of diversity,  mutual respect and freedom of self-expression. Learn more about the Welcome Gesture. 

The Kuné (which means "together" in Esperanto) is Canada's Global Orchestra and they will be performing as part of the stage show starting at 12:30 pm. The orchestra consists of 11 musicians from Peru, Burkina Faso, Cuba, Ukraine and beyond. This is one show not to be missed. 

In addition, TPL is pleased to work with Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone in hosting Indigenous hand drumming circles. TPL will also be part of the information fair. Be sure to come by and talk to our staff about our programs and services for newcomers. 

If you don't already have a library card, you can come sign up for one on Toronto Newcomer Day. 

No matter which stage of the settlement journey you are at, TPL and the City are here to lend a helping hand and celebrate big and small successes. 

April 21st is the United Nation's World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID). It is a day designated to encourage creative thought and expression, as well as remembering innovations throughout our lifetime.

Creativity is an important aspect of our society. It keeps us moving forward through new ideas and inventions that solve problems in our society. The capacity for what the human brain can imagine is astonishing. We have created some of the most life-changing inventions like self-driving cars and 3D printed prosthetic limbs.

At Toronto Public Library (TPL), we are champions of innovation. We encourage creativity, experimentation and the generation of ideas.

We are proud to offer free access to services, materials, and programs that encourage creativity and innovation. Here are some of them:

Library Services

Toronto Poetry Map

With the help of Toronto’s fourth poet laureate George Elliott Clarke, TPL has created a new way to explore the city through poetry. Browse over various iconic spots in Toronto and read the words written by others to describe their glorious existence. Maybe it'll inspire you too!

Digital Innovation Hubs

Located at 8 different branches across the city, our Digital Innovation Hubs are free to use and offer equipment, workstations, and classes on how to use new technology and software. 3D printers, Arduino kits and Adobe Creative Suite software are just a few of the things offered. These are great tools to expand your creative mind, and all you need is your library card!

Ever wanted to become a fashion designer? Our Fabrication Studio at North York Central offers access to sewing machines and a vinyl cutter/printer to create projects using textiles. Our audio and video studio spaces provide users with the equipment and software required to work on recording songs, making podcasts, or even shooting a commercial. 

Music Lending Library

Have an ear for music but don't have an instrument? Or maybe you've always wanted to try the guitar but didn't want to commit just yet? With the scan of your library card, you can borrow an instrument for up to 9 weeks from Parkdale branch. While this location is closed for renovation, the music lending library has temporarily been moved to High Park branch. 

Art Galleries

Along with our MAP passes, TPL has a variety of art exhibits featuring local artists at 14 library branches throughout the city. If you'd like to be featured, the deadline to apply is April 26. Learn about submitting your own art for display in one of our gallery spaces.

Books Showcasing Canadian Innovation

Canadians are responsible for creating the telephone, basketball, the Blackberry phone, and the garbage bag to name a few. Learn more about the amazing inventions created by Canadians in the following books:

How are you celebrating World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID)? Let us know in the comments down below.

So, you have an exhibition coming up? That’s great! Have you given some thought on where you are going to exhibit it? Not yet? Well, you are invited to submit your work for the next Art Exhibits season, which runs from September 2019 – August 2020.

The deadline for submission is April 26, 2019.

Toronto Public Library provides space for art exhibits at 16 locations across the city with the objective to provide access to a wide range of expressions of imagination, knowledge, creativity, and intellectual activity and thought, all in a welcoming and supportive environment. It provides space for art exhibits which reflect the diverse cultural interests of Toronto and its neighbourhoods.

Each year, artists are invited to submit their work for possible exhibition. For a fee of $20 + HST artists receive a one-month showing in one of the exhibit locations.

Secure a temporary space, showcase your work, enhance your creative goals, follow your dreams, and forge new opportunities in the art world!

The deadline for submission is April 26, 2019.

Ready to apply? Follow the steps below:

1. Read the following information about Art Exhibits in the library:

    Use of Library Space for Art Exhibits Policy

    General Guidelines for Art Exhibits

    Insurance Coverage

2. Review the list of locations. Make sure you select branches with dimensions suitable for your exhibits and locations that meet your transportation needs.

3. Complete and return the Art Exhibits Application Form (PDF).

The Art Selection Committee considers works in all media, including photography, but not sculptures.  Preference will be given to exhibitors who live or work in the City of Toronto. Artists selected to exhibit will be notified by June 21, 2019.

Need ideas and inspiration? Check out current and upcoming Art Exhibits.

Questions? Contact the Art Exhibits Office at 416-393-7224, or by email at artexhibits@torontopubliclibrary.ca.

March 21 is a day designated by the United Nations (UN) as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was established in 1966, six years after an event known as the Sharpeville tragedy or Sharpeville massacre. Police opened fire, killing 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid “pass laws” in Sharpeville, South Africa on March 21, 1960.

Apartheid – A Crime Against Humanity (March 1985). Photo courtesy of United Nations, on a Creative Commons license.

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed with a series of events and activities worldwide on March 21 each year. Previous activities included a webcast from the UN headquarters on March 21 featuring special appearances of UN leaders. Other activities included walks, demonstrations, essays, webcasts, photo projects, and much more promoting awareness and the fight against racial discrimination.

Young people also have the option of sharing their opinions and thoughts on human rights and racial discrimination at Voices of Youth, an online bulletin board for young people. Contributors to Voices of Youth come from different parts of the world including Jamaica, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines.

Racial and ethnic discrimination occur everywhere in various forms. They hinder progress for millions of people around the world, destroy lives, and fracture communities.

The UN General Assembly called on the international community to increase its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination when it proclaimed the day as a UN Day of observance in 1966 (resolution 2142 (XXI)). They also called on all world states and organizations to participate in a program of action to combat racism and racial discrimination in 1983. UN held the World Conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in 2001 and produced the most authoritative and comprehensive program for combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance: the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (PDF).

Further Reading

Interested in finding out more? Here are some items from our collection on racial discrimination and the elimination of racial discrimination. A few titles are highlighted below. Some of these books are only available at the Toronto Reference Library and cannot be borrowed.

March 8th is International Women’s Day! This day is a global celebration of the accomplishments of women in social, economic, political and cultural spheres. It is dedicated to recognizing women's achievements and acknowledging the challenges they continue to face in the quest for gender equality.

This past year, we’ve seen women continue to make an incredible impact on the world through politics. In 2018, a new class of US lawmakers, containing a record breaking number of women, was sworn in. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman elected to US Congress at 29 years old.

As we discuss the role of women in politics, Women Win Toronto will be hosting two workshops in March; this organization is dedicated to training prepare women from diverse backgrounds on how to run winning campaigns. Join us for a discussion and find out more about how women can get more involved in municipal politics in Toronto, and the important impact it makes! Sessions will be taking place on March 28th from 6:30-7:30pm at Lillian H. Smith branch and on March 30th from 2:00-3:00pm at Deer Park branch.

We continue to witness women across Canada, and around the world, coming together in solidarity through movements like #MeToo, and mobilizing through organized marches. Join us for “It’s Time: Addressing Sexual Violence in Political Institutions” at Runnymede branch, a workshop that will be lead by the Young Women’s Leadership Network.

Women continue to breakthrough and make strides in the literary world. Learn how female cartoonists have played a role in the phenomenal success of graphic novels at the Graphic Girls: Female Cartoonists Remake the World of Comics presentation on Wednesday, March 20th at 6:30pm, by Associate Professor Eva Karpinski at Northern District branch. Eva Karpinski will also be discussing Dystopian novels at the Bloor/Gladstone branch on Thursday, March 14th at 7pm.

For other great programs taking place in recognition of International Women’s Day, check out our event listing! If you’d like a great suggestion for a fiction book that dives into the complex lives of female characters in historical and contemporary setting, check out our She Reads book list or this blog post, Happy Women's History Month 2019.

February 20th is a day designated by the United Nations (UN) as the Day of Social Justice. The UN is an international organization that unites countries in the shared purpose of promoting human rights through social justice, economic development and peacekeeping. 

This day was created to raise awareness about the importance of equality, peace, and human dignity. To quote the UN Day of Social Justice website, "We advance social justice when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability." If you're interested to know more about what the United Nations is doing to help people around the world, read up on their current projects.

The Toronto Public Library's mission is to "provide free and equitable access to services which meet the changing needs of Torontonians".  Our values include equity, diversity and inclusion.

Books

One way to help support social justice is to learn more by reading about it. Here are some books about social justice in Canada:

The Toronto Public Library also offers free programs that cover topics related to social and political issues in Canada.

The On Civil Society series explores current social and political issues through the lenses of democracy, the media, wellness, urbanism, equality, security and more.

Upcoming Events

Women in Politics – How to Get Involved in Toronto: Women Win Toronto will discuss why more women should get involved in politics and how to get involved.

• Thursday March 28, 6:30 pm at Lillian H. Smith Branch.
• Saturday March 30, 2:00 pm at Deer Park Branch.

Sustainable Living: Affordable Housing presentation by The Dream Team: The Dream Team will give a talk on their vision of a more equitable society where people who experience mental health and addiction issues are able to live dignified lives by having access to supportive housing.

• Wednesday, March 6, 2:00 pm at Humber Bay Branch.

What's social justice without the knowledge of the law? The law is a very important aspect of living in a fair and just society. Check out our Law at the Library program series that features Toronto lawyers speaking on common legal problems.

Hon. Justice Lloyd Budzinski Speaks: Judge Lloyd Budzinski of the Ontario Court of Justice will discuss our Criminal Justice System and the Administration of Justice in Ontario.

• Wednesday, March 6, 6:30 pm at Toronto Reference Library, Hinton Learning Theatre.

How are you spending Day of Social Justice? Comment down below!

If you are new to Canada, you may be wondering…what is Black History Month all about?

Well, here is some history for you! Black History Month actually began as Black History Week back in 1926 when an American historian, Carter G. Woodson, and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced that the second week of February would be celebrated as Negro History Week. In February 1970, through the urging of the Black United Students at Kent State University, Black History Week expanded to become a month long celebration in the United States. 

In 1995, Canada began to celebrate Black History Month as well, thanks to the initiative of the Honourable Jean Augustine, Canada’s first Black Member of Parliament.

You may also be wondering…why February? Well, it turns out that the second week in February coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln, on February 12th, and Frederick Douglass, on February 14th. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, worked to end slavery. Frederick Douglass, himself once a slave, was a prominent abolitionist. Black communities have been celebrating both those dates since the late 19th century. 

Here is a quick overview of Black History in Canada, courtesy Historica Canada.

Programs at the Library

There are many ways to celebrate Black History Month this year and a program at the Library is a perfect place to start! There is something for everyone. You can attend a drumming workshop, enjoy the melodies of Black Opera, or stimulate your mind at an author talk or lecture. 

Recommended Reading

If staying in is more your style, curl up with one of the books on our recommended reading list (2019) for all ages or check out the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection, where you will find thousands of wonderful items. Recognized as one of the most significant Black and Caribbean heritage collections in Canada, it is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning more about Black and Caribbean culture.

Have a look at this video series produced by Canadian Heritage. Learn about Elijah "The Real" McCoy, William Hall, Harriet Tubman and the Canadian Black Battalion through short clips or transcripts.  

Today, Black History Month is much more than looking at our past. It's also about celebrating our current successes and looking forward to a bright future. Why should you celebrate Black history? Because it is Canadian history and we all make up this beautiful country.

Related Blog Posts

You may also enjoy reading some of these blog posts written by library staff.

Canadian Children’s Books for Black History Month, February 2019

Celebrate Black History Month with Music by Black Composers on Naxos

I Have Been to the Mountaintop: The Speeches and Writings of Martin Luther King

January 27th is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is an international memorial day that commemorates the tragedy of the Holocaust from the Second World War. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005.  It designates January 27th as an annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust – observed with ceremonies and activities at United Nations Headquarters in New York and at UN offices around the world.

Attendees of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Photo Credit: Toronto Star Archives 

If you would like to learn more about the Holocaust or Jewish History and Culture, you might be interested in visiting the Barbara Frum Library.  This library branch houses the Jewish Mosaic Collection.  This collection consists of English-language books (fiction, non-fiction, children's and teen), magazines and audio-visual material on the topic of Judaism and Jewish culture. Subjects such as anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, Jewish biographies, music, Kosher cooking and literature are covered. If you are interested in learning more about Judaism and Jewish culture, I encourage you to visit the Barbara Frum Library to explore this collection.

Here are some titles that may be of interest if you’d like to read more on this topic:

They Were Just People by Bill Tammeus and Rabbi Jacques Cukierkorn.

Holocaust Memory Reframed by Jennifer Hansen-Glucklich.

A World Erased by Noah Lederman.

Former UN Secretary-General Bai Ki-Moon gave an inspiring message about this day back in 2008:

"The International Day in memory of the victims of the Holocaust is thus a day on which we must reassert our commitment to human rights. […]

We must also go beyond remembrance, and make sure that new generations know this history. We must apply the lessons of the Holocaust to today’s world. And we must do our utmost so that all peoples may enjoy the protection and rights for which the United Nations stands."

Canada is a cultural mosaic; our citizens come from all over the world. You might have made the journey yourself from another country, or maybe one of your family members did long ago. Regardless of how we got here, our diversity strengthens our identities as Canadians.

This week we're taking a look at the history of Canada's Jewish community that spans more than 250 years. Jewish Canadians were, and still are, an integral part of our society; they are contributors of business, literature, music, entertainment, art and politics.

Here are the photos of a few notable Jewish Canadians. There are many others; this is just a small few.

Joseph Shuster

Co-creator of the DC comic book character Superman.

Jerry Siegel (right) Joseph Shuster (left), co-creators of DC comic book character Superman. Photo by

Celia Franca

Founder of The National Ballet of Canada.

Photo courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.

Joey Jacobson

An Airman in the Second World War.

Aubrey Drake Graham, a.k.a. Drake

Toronto-born Aubrey Drake Graham is a three-time award-winning Grammy hip-hop artist.

Photo courtesy of The Come Up Show.

Some History

The history of Jewish Canadians starts off with the Great Migration of Canada between 1815-1850. Thousands of settlers arrived in Canada in search of financial success. Among those groups were Jews from Europe.

Most of the early Jewish Canadians were either fur traders, merchants or landowners. They built their lives in a new country with little to their names. Many of our families can relate to this story of coming to Canada with the hope for a brighter future.

Jewish immigrants on board the General Sturgis, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 6 February 1948. Photo courtesy of The Canadian Encyclopedia.

After World War II and growing anti-Semitism, many Jews from Europe, Africa and the Middle East immigrated to Canada. Since then, the Jewish population in Canada has grown immensely. Toronto holds the largest number of Jewish Canadians with more than 100,000. 

Are you interested to learn more about what it's like to be a Jewish Canadian? From January to March 2019, Barbara Frum is hosting a series that is part of our Thought Exchange programs, called Many Lives, One People.

Recommended Resources

Here are some of the resources used in writing this article, for further reading:

• Library and Archives Canada
• The Canadian Encyclopedia
• Jewish Virtual Library
• The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)

Tuesday December 18th is International Migrants Day. Throughout human history, people have migrated to new places to overcome adversity and live a better life. Advances in communication and transportation have greatly increased the number of people who have a desire to move to other places.

The Toronto Public Library would like to recognize the courage of migrants by sharing ways you can learn more about the experience of migrants all over the world.

Library staff have curated a booklist of memoirs about migration. Here are six books that reveal, from different angles, what happens when people can no longer stay at home.

We also have titles for children on the topic of migration. Here are some titles to explore the topic with preschool and school-age children. 

In reading these titles, children can begin to understand who refugees and migrants are, why they've left their homes, where they live and what readers can do to help those in need.

For adults, there are some interesting resources available to learn more about global migration history and patterns. The World Migration Report from the International Organization for Migration produces an annual document with key information on migration and migration issues. 

There is also a fascinating tool called the Global Migration Stock, an interactive app that tracks migrants around the world. It is an interactive world map that shows global migration patterns. 

For example, Canada consists of 7.8 million people who are migrants. And in 2017, the immigrant population of Canada was 21.44% of the total resident population. Canada's percentage of immigrants is higher than the US, whose immigrant population is at 15.34% of the resident population. There is lots of fascinating data to explore here!

Have you read any of the books on our list of stories about migration? Do you have any stories about migration you would like to share? Please share in the comments below!

Welcome to Toronto!  ٹورانٹو میں خوش آمدید!

Toronto Public Library offers many services, all free, to help you get settled in Toronto. If you're new to the library, you can learn more in this free guide to library information in Urdu. 

Malvern Library

Library Branches with Urdu Items

Did you know that quite a few Toronto Public Library branches have Urdu materials? 

Large Collection (1,500 or more items)

• Malvern
• Toronto Reference Library

Medium Collection (750-1,500 items)

• Cedarbrae
• Gerrard/Ashdale
• Thorncliffe

Small Collection (fewer than 750 items)

• Agincourt
• Albert Campbell
• Albion
• Bridlewood
• Burrows Hall
• Dawes Road
• Fairview
• Flemingdon Park
• Humber Summit
• Richview
• St. James Town
• York Woods

With thousands of books, CDs, DVDs and magazines to choose from, make Toronto Public Library the first place you visit if you want to read Urdu books, watch Urdu movies, or learn Urdu. 

Don't have a library card yet? Don’t worry! Get your free library card by visiting any Toronto Public Library branch with valid and current name and address identification.

The video below is a helpful introduction to your library card in Urdu:

Newspapers in Urdu

With PressReader and your library card, you can get free online access to newspapers and magazines from over 100 countries in over 60 languages, including 2 Urdu publications: The Miracle and Maarif.

Films in Urdu

Your library card also lets you access classic films, world cinema, documentaries and popular movies available for on-demand streaming with Kanopy. There are 12 films you can watch in Urdu, including: 

Learn Urdu

If you don't speak Urdu, or have a friend or family member who wants to learn Urdu, Mango Languages has free interactive courses in 71 different languages, including English as a second language.

On behalf of Toronto Public Library, we hope that you enjoy our Urdu collection. 

Welcome to the library!

From books to classes to online tools, the Toronto Public Library has plenty of resources that can help you learn or improve your English. The Toronto Public Library also offers many online tools that you can'take advantage of using your library card. Here are just a few of the tools that are available for you:

Books & Classes

Toronto Public Library has a collection of ESL books for adults and children. To browse our collection, or place an item on hold, take a look at our online catalogue.

Currently, nine of our branches offer free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes that you can register for! To find more information and a class near you, visit our Learn English webpage.

Mango Languages

With your library card, you get full access to Mango Languages. This tool offers online lessons that you can complete at your own pace! There are 71 languages that you can use Mango Languages to learn. One of these is English; there are lessons tailored for different mother tongues.

Learning Express Library

Learning Express Library offers practice tests and answers that will help you prepare for many different assessments including TOEIC, TOEFL, and the Canadian Citizenship Test.

Road to IELTS

If you are preparing for the IELTS, be sure to access the Road to IELTS – General Training Module and the Road to IELTS – Academic Training Module that are available using your library card.

Both of these tools offer online interactive activities, practice tests and answers, aimed at learners who are pursuing post-secondary education, work experience or professional registration in an English speaking environment.

For more information on how the Toronto Public Library can support your goal to learn English, also check out our recent blog post, "Learn English in 5 Easy Steps". 

November 11th is Remembrance Day.  This is a day we recognize the men and women who have served during times of war and conflict. We recognize our veterans as the ones who came before us to fight for our freedom so we may live peacefully. We wear a poppy as a symbol of Remembrance Day.  The significance of the poppy can be traced all the way back to the 19th century. Records from that time indicate that poppies grew over the graves of soldiers in the area of Flanders, France.

Photo by wazimuO, used under a Creative Commons license.

In 1915, Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae wrote the poem "In Flander's Field" in memory of his friend who died in the World War I.  It has become one of the most quoted war poems ever.

In Flander's Field

This month, the library has a number of events happening to recognize Remembrance Day.

On Tuesday November 6th visit the Riverdale Branch for a presentation by Jay Young  commemorating this year's centennial of the First World War. The Archives of Ontario's "Dear Sadie" exhibit is based on a series of letters between Harry Mason, a Canadian soldier fighting overseas, and Sadie Arbuckle, his sweetheart back home, highlighting the personal stories underlying the war. Registration is required.

At the Toronto Reference Library, author Janet Land will be discussing her book Landed: The WWII Journal and Family History of William Douglas Land. Based on the wartime memoirs of her father, the book includes a first-hand account of a British Army officer in India, Ceylon and Italy. The author will explore the historical events that influenced her father's life and also discuss the challenges and rewards of researching and writing a family history.

On Friday November 9th join Spadina Road library staff for a Remembrance Day Storytime for Children.

Above all, take a moment on November 11th to recognize what the veterans did for us. They fought for our freedom so we may enjoy life in a country that is safe and free.

Hello! བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས།!

There are over 6,000 languages spoken in the world. We have more than 200 in Toronto alone! Tibetan is spoken by people from Tibet, which is a small autonomous region within China. The region is known for its breathtaking scenery and religious sanctuaries.

Fun fact: Did you know that along Tibet's border with Nepal, you can find the towering Mount Everest – the world's highest mountain above sea level?

Parkdale, an area in the south part of Toronto, is home to the largest Tibetan population in Canada, and the Parkdale library is the only branch that has a small collection in the Tibetan language. Browse through our books, DVDs, and CDs. You can even access them online as eBooks and eVideos!

Make sure you sign up for a library card at any of our 100 branches to get access to these materials. Can't reach any of these branches? No problem! You can place your select items on hold to come to a branch near you.

If you don't know how to read Tibetan, you can always brush up on the country itself. Here are some great ways of experiencing the culture. 

Read about the history of Tibet:

Explore its natural beauty through travel books:

Listen to the music of the country in English or in Tibetan:

We offer materials in over 40 different languages. See what's available in other languages at the Toronto Public Library!

Goodbye! ག་ལེར་ཕེབས་།!

For over a decade, Toronto Public Library has served newcomers through Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP), partnering with local settlement agencies and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. This October, we invite you to join us in celebrating LSP Week’s 10th anniversary with a variety of activities at locations across the city.

The annual LSP Week celebration coincides with Canadian Citizenship Week (October 8 to 14, 2018) and Ontario Public Library Week (October 14 to 20, 2018). Last year’s LSP Week brought over 1,100 people together at 12 events across the city. Each year, the events are centered around a common theme. Last year’s theme was Celebration 150+, and previous years have focused on dance, music, and food. This year’s theme, "LSP: 10th anniversary," celebrates the longstanding successful partnership.

Here are a few of the events taking place at Toronto Public Library branches:

• Citizenship Ceremony at Toronto Reference Library, Thursday October 11, 2018, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
• LSP Celebration Week at Agincourt, Friday October 12, 2018, 3:30-6:00 p.m.
• The Whale, REEL CANADA film screening and WWF-Canada presentation at Fairview, Wednesday October 17, 2018, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
• LSP Celebration Week at Centennial, Friday October 19, 2018, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
• LSP Celebration Week at Flemingdon Park, Saturday October 20, 2018, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

With 11 events offering a variety of activities—a citizenship ceremony, cultural dance performances, film screenings, citizenship judges and other guest speakers, and much more—LSP Week 2018 promises to be memorable, and we look forward to celebrating with all of you!

LSP makes settlement services available to newcomers by offering both one-on-one information referrals and programs at Toronto Public Library branches across the city. In 2017, over 23,300 newcomers accessed LSP, and over 950 programs were delivered.

There are currently 14 LSP branches:

Agincourt                                        Lillian H. Smith

Albion                                              Mimico Centennial   

Bridlewood                                     Parkdale

Centennial                                      Parliament Street   

Eatonville                                       Richview   

Fairview                                          Thorncliffe   

Flemingdon Park                          Toronto Reference Library             

Toronto Public Library partners with seven local settlement agencies for LSP:

Catholic Crosscultural Services

Centre for Immigrant and Community Services

CultureLink Settlement and Community Services

Kababayan Multicultural Centre

Rexdale Women's Centre

TNO—The Neighbourhood Organization

YMCA Newcomer Information Centre

Be sure to check our Settling in Toronto page to find more information about LSP and visit our New to Canada blog to learn about library resources for newcomers to Canada.

Did you know that Toronto Public Library has Polish materials that you can borrow as well as materials you can access online? Pick up a book, a CD or a DVD at one of our 12 locations that house Polish collections. You can also browse all of the materials online and place a hold. This lets you pick them up at the branch of your choice.

A program that remains popular to this day is Polish Story Time. With its first program taking place in 1989, this program was developed from the hearts of Polish-speaking staff members who wanted to share the cultural traditions and holiday celebrations with their communities. At these programs families are able to gather together and create new connections.

Polish Story Time is still offered at Long Branch location by Kathy, pictured on the left, who has been running the program since 2000! This fall, you can join Kathy for this program on Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm. A full list of dates and times is available here. This program offers stories, songs and crafts for children aged 3-6. In the meantime, you can check out some of Kathy's favourite Polish story time books!

Be sure to visit any one of our 100 branches to sign up for a library card! You will need to bring valid and current name and address identification. Visit our Your Library Card page for more information about eligibility and what you can do with your library card. Learn more information about the library by reading this guide in Polish.

Fifty-one years ago, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially declared September 8 to be International Literacy Day. On this day, all around the world, many organizations actively promote literacy for everyone. The theme this year is Literacy and Skills Development. These are the skills that you need to succeed at work. The Government of Canada has identified nine important workplace skills: 

Reading
 
Reading or reading comprehension is being able to understand information written in sentences and paragraphs. 

Document Use

Courtesy canvasjs.com

Document Use is the ability to understand information in different formats such as charts, lists, drawings, labels, tables and graphs. These documents communicate information quickly or "at a glance."

Numeracy 

Numeracy is the ability to use numbers in terms of quantity to complete tasks. We use this skill when estimating, budgeting, or for basic money math, like calculating change.

Writing 

Writing  is the ability to communicate ideas by writing text, filling out forms or typing on a computer. 

Oral Communication

Oral Communication is the use of speech to give and exchange thoughts and information. You can practice your English in conversation circles and other ESL programs.

Thinking

Thinking or critical thinking is evaluating ideas or information to reach a rational decision.

Digital Technology

Digital Technology is using computer applications or technical tools such as word processing, e-mails, or spreadsheets. 

Working with Others

Courtesy of http://www.socialmoms.com

Working with Others is being able to get along with co-workers in order to carry out tasks. This also includes being able to work out conflicts. While it may seem like a hard thing to do, you really don't need a referee or boxing gloves to work through disagreements in the workplace. Sometimes being a good listener can go a long way. Become familiar with some conflict resolution strategies before going to your next job interview or have a look at the online course Conflict Resolution Foundations through Lynda.com and add it to your resume. You will need your library card to login.

Continuous Learning

Continuous Learning is ongoing learning as a part of work. This can be through on the job training, library courses, online programs or from co-workers. We also have basic adult literacy programs at ten library branches across the city. 

In celebration of International Literacy Day 2018, Adult Literacy Services put together a collection of stories written by learners in the literacy program. The booklet is filled with stories of strength, renewal and hope. You can borrow a copy of Our Stories, Our Voices: A Collection of Writing by Adult Literacy or download the PDF. 

Happy International Literacy Day! 

Welcome to the library! లైబ్రరీకి స్వాగతం!

Did you know that the Toronto Public Library carries over 700 materials in the Telugu language?  With a variety of materials available, let us help you find your next favourite book or movie in Telugu! You can find materials in Telugu at the Albion Branch and the Toronto Reference Library. If you cannot get to one of those branches – fear not! We can have your item sent to any location of the Toronto Public Library. You can place a hold at any of our 100 branches or right here on our website.

Do you have a library card?  Get your free library card today to start borrowing materials in Telugu.

We can also make it easier for you to learn Telugu.  We have dual-language dictionaries that can be very useful whether you are translating or using them to learn Telugu.

Have you tried Mango Languages?  You can use it to learn Telugu and many other languages from India!

Are you new to Canada?  Here is a page with information about the library in Telugu.

We hope you find what you are looking for if you are interested in learning Telugu. If you speak Telugu and are looking for Telugu books and movies, we hope you find those too!

Visit the Toronto Public Library today!  |  నేడు టోరోంటో పబ్లిక్ లైబ్రరీని సందర్శించండి!

Whether it’s your first year of high school in Canada or your last year of high school, the Toronto Public Library has lots of resources to help!

Borrowing materials

From English ISU books to math guides to the latest popular fiction, you’ll find plenty of books (and DVDs!) in your local library. We have 100 library branches across Toronto! All you need to borrow books, movies, and access all of our online resources, is a library card.

Attend a program!

We have amazing youth programs all across the city! These are great opportunities to meet new friends and have new experiences. Click here to see all of the youth programs available and to find one that sparks your interest!

There are also many youth hubs that offer drop-in space, programs, and activities for youth aged 13-19. Youth hubs provide youth with a safe space, technology loans, homework help, and healthy snacks! Click here to find out where the nearest youth hub to you is.

Homework help

The Toronto Public Library offers many different online resources for homework help! Click here for a full list.

One of these great resources is Brainfuse, which is an online service that offers online homework help for students in grades K-12 daily from 2:00pm to 11:00pm. All you need is your library card!

Volunteer hours

Every high school student in Ontario must complete 40 volunteer hours as a graduation requirement. Volunteering is also a wonderful way to meet new people and build a network of connections.There are a number of different opportunities for you to volunteer for the Toronto Public Library.

One of these opportunities is Youth Advisory Groups (YAG) at your local library! When you become a YAG member, you attend regular meetings to discuss the creation, development and promotion of library programs, collections, publications, and spaces for you and your fellow teens.

There are also many volunteer opportunities beyond Toronto Public Library that you can explore!

Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP)

As part of our Library Settlement Partnerships, many libraries have a Library Settlement Worker that can help you and your family get started in Toronto and Canada! Whether you’re hoping to look for a job, get help preparing for the citizenship test, or to find English classes, our Settlement Workers are happy to help! Our recent blog post highlights all of the other settlement services that are available for you!

ഹലോ! Hello! 

The Toronto Public Library offers materials in over 40 different languages to cater to Toronto's diverse population. In this post, we will be highlighting our small but diverse Malayalam collection. Malayalam is a South-Indian language spoken in Kerala by the Malayali people and is one of the 22 official state languages of India.

Fun fact: Did you know that Malayalam is spelled the same backwards? It's one of the longest palindromes in the English language! 

You can pick up a Malayalam book, CD, or movie at Don Mills and Toronto Reference libraries. You can even check out online newspapers in Malayalam using Press Reader! Don't live close to these two branches? Not a problem! Browse our catalogue, and if you see something you like, place it on hold using your library card, and it'll come right to your home branch.

If you're looking to learn how to speak Malayalam, why not try out Mango Languages? It's completely free to use with a Toronto Public Library card, and gives you access to over 70 different languages! By the end of it, you'll know how to have a basic conversation in Malayalam. 

Welcome to the Toronto Public Library! | ടൊറോണ്ടോ പബ്ലിക് ലൈബ്രറിയിലേക്ക് സ്വാഗതം!

Moving to a new country is a big task: it can be an exciting time, but involves much work and preparation. It's also a personal journey. I remember how my family spent a lot of time getting ready and a few weeks before we left, my late grandmother made sure I got my fill of delicious dim-sum. Every day, she took me out for dim-sum and ordered BBQ pork buns because that was my favourite. This is one of my beloved memories of my home country. What are your cherished memories?

When you move to a big city like Toronto, it is easy to feel a bit lost. To help newcomers get to know their library better, Toronto Public Library offers library information in 40 languages, which sums up the resources and services for newcomers. One of the services offered is the Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) program.

LSP is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Helpful settlement workers from seven local settlement agencies provide information referrals and programs for newcomers at 14 library branches:

Agincourt

Albion

Bridlewood

Centennial

Eatonville

Fairview

Flemingdon Park

Lillian H. Smith

Mimico Centennial

Parkdale

Parliament Street

Richview

Thorncliffe

Toronto Reference Library 

To learn more about LSP, check out the Settling in Toronto page and the New to Canada Blog. 

While visiting a LSP location, newcomers can have their settlement questions answered and also register for a free library card. Toronto Public Library offers free resources and services, including materials in 40 languages, ESL information, online tools and more. Check out the New to Canada page for more details. 

This summer, additional settlement help will be provided by 15 branch locations through the Settlement and Education Partnerships in Toronto (SEPT). The SEPT locations this year are: 

Barbara Frum

Black Creek

Burrows Hall

Cedarbrae

Danforth/Coxwell

Deer Park

Fairview

Goldhawk Park

Humber Summit

Jane/Sheppard

Malvern

Maria A. Shchuka

Pleasant View

Weston

York Woods

A total of 29 library branches will be offering settlement services this summer. Please stop by any of the LSP and SEPT locations for settlement support. We are here, happy to help! 

Many events are taking place throughout the city to mark the 151st Canada Day. How will you be spending your Canada Day weekend? With so much to do, it is hard to decide!

But what comes to mind when you think of Canada? Great Canadian symbols or a great land? The Maple Leafs or maple syrup? Whether you are a newcomer or have always called Canada home, enjoying the festivities of Canada Day is open to all.  

Are you preparing for your citizenship test? To learn more, check out this short video produced by the Government of Canada .

The Discover Canada The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship study guide is available as a download (PDF), audio file or you can pick up a print copy from the library.  

Toronto Reference Library has a free "Discover Canada" Citizenship Education Mentoring Circle – Summer Session. This 10-week program is for landed immigrants and convention refugees, 19 years and older with LINC Level 4 and higher. There are many more citizenship and ESL classes occurring at libraries across the city. 

You can also learn so much about Canada through these two databases. Both are free to use right from home with your Toronto Public Library card. Canada in Context has full-text articles, videos, audio files and vetted websites on a broad range of topics, people, places and events. Learning Express Library provides access to many practice tests including Canadian citizenship, TOEIC, TOEFL iBT, math, grammar and writing.

Reading quick facts and trivia is a fun way to learn. Here are a few books that are sure to entertain and inform you about Canada. 

This title says it all. Weird but True!: Canada: 300 Outrageous Facts About the True North, is full of interesting information about Canada's wildlife, cuisine, history, sports, and culture.

150 Fascinating Facts about Canadian Women, showcases women from many diverse communities in Canada who have been part of our history.

Canadian Geographic Canada for Kids: 1000 Awesome Facts is a patriotic look at Canada featuring cool facts and figures for each province and territory.

 HAPPY CANADA DAY!

1. Register for an ESL Class

Toronto Public Library has free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes with teachers who can help you learn English. There are different levels of ESL classes: basic, beginner, intermediate, and advanced. We offer classes on different days and at different times. Call your local library branch to find out if there is an ESL class at a library near you. Be sure to ask what documents you need to bring so you can register for the class. 

If you can't find an ESL class at your local library, here are a few other places you can look:

• Toronto District School Board ESL Programs
• Toronto Catholic District School Board Course Finder
• Settlement.org English Classes
• Jewish Immigrant Aid Services Toronto English Classes

2. Join an English Conversation Circle

An English Conversation Circle is different from an ESL class. An ESL class has a teacher who will help you learn English. An English Conversation Circle is a group where you can practise speaking in English. It's also a great place to make new friends.

There is a list of English Conversation Circles on the Library website. We also list English Conversation Circles and other ESL programs in the What's On – Programs and Events at your Library. To find out more, call your local library branch.

Some programs for newcomers, such as English Conversation Circles, are run by Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP). You can meet with an LSP settlement worker for free and get help getting started in Toronto and Canada. LSP can also help you find other places where you can learn English for free. LSP is funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.

3. Borrow ESL Books with CDs and DVDs

The Library has many ESL books with CDs and DVDs that can help you learn English. They are free to borrow and take home if you have a library card. Every library branch has some ESL books, but you will find the biggest collections at Research & Reference Libraries and District Branches. They are the largest and medium-sized libraries on the Toronto Public Library locations map.

On the fourth floor of the Toronto Reference Library, there are almost 4,000 ESL items as of 2018. This collection has many popular topics to choose from, including IELTS and TOEFL.

4. Learn with Online ESL Books and AudioBooks

You can read books and listen to audiobooks online with OverDrive eBooks & eAudiobooks. 

ESL books

There are many ESL books that teach English. 

Rapid Reads

Rapid Reads on OverDrive is a series of short novels that are perfect for ESL.  

Grass Roots Press

You can also search for Grass Roots Press on OverDrive. This publisher has ESL books for adults, and they are a great, fun way to practise your English. 

5. Learn English and Read About Canada

Have you ever thought about learning English and learning about Canada at the same time?

When you read books about Canada in English, you can discover new and exciting things about this beautiful country while you practise your reading skills. At the Library, you can borrow books about Canadian history, learn about Canadian indigenous peoples, discover famous Canadians, or find out more about Canadian social life and customs. If you need help finding books about Canada at your reading level, the librarians at your local library branch are always happy to help.

Conclusion

Yes, learning a new language can be hard, but you can do it. You can learn English… one day — and one step — at a time. These first five steps should help you get started, but stay tuned for my next blog post, "Learn English in 5 More Easy Steps," coming soon to the New to Canada blog. In the meantime, you can also browse Toronto Public Library's Learn English – ESL page for many more language learning tools and resources. 

What are your favourite ways to learn English? Let me know in the comments, and I will be sure to include them in future "Learn English" posts.

Did you know that Toronto Public Library has Serbian materials available for borrowing? Pick up a book, a DVD, or even look through an ejournal. Have a look at the thousands of items available for children and adults on the website. 

If you'd like to browse the materials in person, visit one of our five branches that host collections:

• Eatonville
• North York Central       
• Northern District       
• S. Walter Stewart       
• Toronto Reference Library

You can also place holds on the items you'd like to borrow and pick them up at the branch of your choice!

If you are new to Toronto, or new to the Toronto Public Library, visit one of our branches and sign up for a library card! You will need to bring valid and current name and address identification. Visit our Your Library Card page for more information about eligibility and what you can do with your library card. 

You can also learn more information about the library by reading this guide in Serbian.

In 2002, the Canadian government declared May as Asian Heritage Month. During this month, Canadians are encouraged to learn about the history and accomplishments of Asian Canadians. From the likes of award-winning actress Sandra Oh, to world renowned environmentalist David Suzuki, to critically acclaimed author Shyam Selvadurai, Asian Canadians have played an integral role in shaping Canadian history.

Come celebrate Asian Heritage Month with the Toronto Public Library by checking out our programs happening all across the city.

Sit back and enjoy the Japanese Nagata Shachu band drumming presentation at Fairview or Maria A. Shchuka's Peking Opera performance that brings together riveting song and dance.

This year, the Government of Canada’s theme for Asian Heritage Month is “Passing it forward: Culture through the generations.” The theme emphasizes the importance of maintaining the rich history of Asian Canadians, in particular the contributions made by women of Asian descent.

Following with this year's theme, I've come up with a list of materials from the library catalogue by and about Asian Canadian women.

As a Senator, Vivienne Poy was the catalyst that helped start Asian Heritage Month. She wrote Passage to Promise Land: Voices of Chinese Immigrant Women to Canada, detailing the history of Chinese women immigrating to Canada, and how immigration laws have shaped the Chinese Canadian community over the years.  

Ru, by Kim Thùy is based on her real-life experience as a young girl escaping from Vietnam to Quebec with her family in the 1970s. 

Window Horses: The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming by Ann Marie Fleming is a graphic novel about a young Japanese-Iranian girl who travels to Iran for a poetry festival, only to learn that the story of her father's abandonment might not be true.

The Hero's Walk, also available as an ebook, follows Sripathi Rao who travels to Canada from South Asia with his orphaned granddaughter in search of a better life.

The Boat People by Sharon Bala tells the story of Mahindan, a Sri Lankan refugee boarding a boat destined for Canada with his young son; only to be accused of belonging to a terrorist group upon arrival and having to fight to clear his name.

Know any more interesting titles by Asian Canadians? Let us know in the comments!

Chag Sameach!

This Saturday marks the celebration of Tikkun Leil Shavuot, a Jewish cultural festival celebrating the festival of Shauvot. The springtime holiday of Shavuot commemorates the moment that the ancient Israelites received the Torah at Mount Sinai.

In anticipation of the revelation, members of the Jewish community who observe this festival stay up all night. The organizers of Tikkun Leil Shavuot in downtown Toronto call it an all-night learning festival where people stay up to study, sing, snack and mingle.

Did you know the Toronto Public Library has a variety of resources to support Jewish communities in Toronto?  We have over 700 materials in Yiddish, and over 2,800 materials in Hebrew. This includes books, eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music and magazines!

Here are some titles for children you might enjoy in preparation for the holiday:

 And here are some for adults:

If you are celebrating, we hope it is a time of learning and growing! Chag Sameach!

On May 29, the fourth annual Toronto Newcomer Day will take place at Nathan Phillips Square. This annual celebration started in 2015 and Toronto Public Library has been participating since then. Each year, more and more Torontonians join in the celebration and there were about 8,000 participants in 2017. Here's a video showing how much fun everyone had last year. 

The day is about newcomers! It only makes sense that newcomers are actively involved in the celebration. This year, we are pleased to have two newcomer hosts for the main stage show. Richard Villavicencio and Beulah Esuk came from Mexico and Nigeria respectively, and they have both served as members of the Toronto Newcomer Council. 

When you come out for Toronto Newcomer Day, you will always find yummy foods. Different food trucks have delighted everyone with their delicious creations. For this year's food fair, along with the food trucks, the Regent Park Catering Collective will be offering tasty and healthy goodies prepared by newcomer women from various heritages. I'm feeling hungry just thinking about the food fair! 

The Newcomer Art Exhibit will also return to Toronto Newcomer Day. This time, the exhibit will feature newcomer artists from: Airsa Art & Thought Association, the Canadian Language Museum and Toronto Employment & Social Services program. Their beautiful pieces will be on display near the City Hall front doors throughout the day. I'm sure this year's Toronto Newcomer Day will be memorable. 

Toronto Public Library will be hosting an information table. Be sure to come by and talk to our staff about our programs and services for newcomers. One helpful service is Library Settlement Partnerships; there are several library branches where settlement workers can help newcomers with their settlement needs. This is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

If you don't already have a library card, come sign up for one on Toronto Newcomer Day. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Toronto Newcomer Day!

Hello! 안녕하세요!  Did you know that there are ten branches that carry Korean materials at the Toronto Public Library?

With over 4,000 books, CDs, DVDs and magazines to choose from, make the Toronto Public Library the first place you visit if you want to read Korean books, learn Korean or watch a Korean movie. Welcome to Korean at your library!

Have you used Mango Languages? Mango Languages is a language learning tool offering many languages to choose from, including Korean. It is helpful for learning English, too. Why not give it a try? There are other ways the library can help you learn English. Browse the New to Canada section of our website for more information. Here are some books you can use to help you learn Korean:

Have you heard of KPop? KPop refers to Korean Pop Music, which has fans all over the world. Remember when the song “Gangnam Style” came out a few years ago? The song became a huge global hit, but “KPop” as it’s affectionately called was being enjoyed by people everywhere even before that song blew up on Canadian music charts. As of February 2018, Gangnam Style had over 3.1 billion views on YouTube! You can listen to the song on Hoopla. Hoopla is the library's online service for borrowing digital music, video and comics to stream in your web browser or enjoy offline on your smartphone or tablet. 

Speaking of Canadian content, our recent blog post highlighted Kim’s Convenience, a Canadian show about a Korean-Canadian family in Toronto. Mr. Kim is a first-generation Korean Canadian and the proud owner of Kim's Convenience, a variety store located in the Regent Park neighbourhood. The show is an engaging portrayal of a Toronto family and the relationships between paren'ts and children growing up as second-generation Canadians.

There are many ways to enjoy Korean books, movies, music and more at the Toronto Public Library!  Please comment below on any Korean titles you have enjoyed from our collection. Welcome to Korean at your library! 도서관에서 다양한 한국 자료들은 만나보세요!

April 17th, 2018 marked the passing of Barbara Bush (1925-2018). The former First Lady of the United States was many things to many people. She was a wife, a mother and remarkable person. She was a fierce advocate for adult literacy and family literacy, publicly supporting the need for more literacy programs. She believed that paren'ts are a child's first teacher and that literacy is a right for all. She launched the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy in 1989. Many people were reached through the Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE. This competition challenges teams of technological developers, educators, engineers and innovators to create mobile literacy learning applications for adult learners. 

Images Courtesy of George Bush Presidential Library and Museum (https://adultliteracy.xprize.org)

Adult Literacy programs are available at 10 library branches across the city. For more information, contact the Adult Literacy Department at 416-395-5555 or email us at adultliteracy@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Kim’s Convenience is a show that has delighted Canadian audiences since it started in October 2016. If you haven’t had the chance to tune in, the show follows a Korean Canadian family based right here in Toronto! Mr. Kim is a first-generation Canadian and the proud owner of Kim's Convenience, a variety store located in the heart of downtown Toronto's Regent Park neighbourhood.

Did you know the television show began as a screenplay written by Ins Choi? If you want to read the story that started it all, why not order a copy from the Toronto Public Library? The library’s edition includes an eight-page photo insert of the original Fringe Festival and Soulpepper Theatre Company production.

It is so exciting to see a Korean Canadian family in leading roles on a National television series. Since 2017, the show has won six Canadian Screen Awards for everything from Best Comedy Series to Best Actor for Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, who plays Mr. Kim.

I love this quote from Paul after he won his 2018 Canadian Screen Award:

“Representation matters because when communities and people see themselves reflected up on the screen, it is an inspiring and very powerful moment for them.”

I couldn’t agree more! It is an exciting time for Canadian film and television, as TV shows and movies are starting to become more representative of our communities.

Want to catch a season you’ve missed? The library has copies available for you to borrow:

I have enjoyed the show so much that I’ve done a little detective work on the actors too. My super sleuthing led me to discover that Jean Yoon, who plays Umma, is also a published writer, poet and playwright!

If you’re a super fan you may already know this, but I was very excited to find two of Jean’s publications in the Toronto Public Library catalogue! You’ll have to visit the Toronto Reference Library’s closed stacks to get a glimpse of her works: The Yoko Ono Project and The Kyopo Trilogy: Part 1 & 2: Sliding for Home & Borders.

Last month, the cast of Kim's Convenience took to social media to announce the exciting news that there would be a Season 3 of the show. I can’t wait, and in the meantime I’ll be re-watching the show, reading the screenplay, and getting the popcorn ready!

Welcome to Toronto! Üdvözöljük Torontóban!

Toronto Public Library offers many services, all free, to help you get settled in Toronto. If you’re new to the library, you can learn more in this free guide to library information in Hungarian. 

Barbara Frum Branch, Toronto Public Library

Did you know that there are two library branches that carry Hungarian materials at the Toronto Public Library? You’ll find large collections (1,500 or more items) at Toronto Reference Library and Barbara Frum.

With thousands of books, CDs, DVDs and magazines to choose from, make Toronto Public Library the first place you visit if you want to read Hungarian books, watch Hungarian movies, or learn Hungarian.

You can also use your library card to watch Hungarian movies from home by logging onto Hoopla. Here are some of the available titles:

Don’t have a library card yet? Don’t worry! Get your free library card by visiting any Toronto Public Library branch with valid and current name and address identification.

Library Card | olvasójegyet

If you or someone you know wants to learn Hungarian, the library also has instructional books, audiobooks, and DVDs that can help. Mango Languages has a Hungarian online course, which is free to use with a Toronto Public Library card.

The library also has a Digital Archive, which includes historical photos of Hungarians, like this one: 

Young Hungarians gather at The Canadian Hungarian Youth Federation founding conference in Toronto. Photography: Barkley, Harold (1974)

On behalf of Toronto Public Library, we hope that you enjoy our Hungarian collection.

Welcome to the library!

With the deadline quickly approaching, it’s time to get the ball rolling on filing your income taxes for 2017! If you’re like most Canadians, you are gathering together everything you need to file your taxes by the April deadline. This differs if you have your own business or are self-employed, but for most of us, the deadline is Monday, April 30.

Did you know the Toronto Public Library has many free income tax clinics located at branches throughout the city? Many of them require you to register or have a particular income level, so please read carefully and contact the branch for more information.

Many libraries also have Settlement Workers who can give you more information about filing your taxes. If you are new to Canada, it can be especially helpful to discuss any questions you might have about how it all works.

I like these helpful tax tips for newcomers shared from a recent article in the Huffington Post:

• Find out when you’re considered to be an official resident. It may be even before you arrive in Canada if you already own property or have a bank account here.
• Apply for the GTS/HST credit, a tax-free quarterly payment.
• If you are a new resident and have children under 18, you may qualify to receive the Canada Child Benefit.
• Find out if your income from another country is tax exempt. Canada has tax treaties with almost 100 countries.
• You can claim your moving expenses if you are relocating for a new job.
• If you are buying a home for the first time, you may be eligible for the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit.                                                               

The Canadian government also has a section of their website dedicated to helping newcomers file their taxes and a handy pamphlet that introduces you to the Canadian tax system. Are you filing your taxes online? Find out about which certified software you can use to complete your tax return.  

Still want more? Please visit this blog post from 2017 for a helpful and comprehensive guide to filing your tax return for the first time:

Filing Your First Tax Return in Canada: Free Resources for Newcomers

Good luck filing your taxes this tax season. 

If you’re lucky, you’ll be as happy as this guy by the end of it! 

Welcome to Toronto! ਟੋਰ ਟੋ ਵ ਚ ਸੁਆਗਤ ਹੈ!

Toronto Public Library offers many services, all free, to help you get settled in Toronto. If you're new to the library, you can learn more in this free guide to library information in Panjabi. 

Did you know that there are six library branches that carry Panjabi materials at the Toronto Public Library? You'll find a large collection (1,500 or more items) at Toronto Reference Library; medium collections (750-1,500 items) at Albion, Humberwood, Malvern and York Woods; and a small collection (fewer than 750 items) at Humber Summit. 

With thousands of books, CDs, DVDs and magazines to choose from, make Toronto Public Library the first place you visit whenever you want to read Panjabi books, watch Panjabi movies, or learn Panjabi.

If you or someone you know wants to learn Panjabi, the library has instructional books, audiobooks, and DVDs that can help. Mango Languages also has a Punjabi (Pakistani) online course which is free to use with a Toronto Public Library card.

Don't have a library card yet? Don’t worry! Get your free library card by visiting any Toronto Public Library branch with valid and current name and address identification.

Library Card | ਲਾਇਬ੍ਰੇਰੀ ਕਾਰਡ

The video below is a helpful introduction to your library card in Panjabi:

On behalf of Toronto Public Library, we hope that you enjoy our Panjabi collection.

Welcome to the library!

Happy new year to all those in our communities celebrating Lunar New Year this Friday, February 16. We're saying goodbye to the year of the Rooster, and hello to the year of the Dog. According to the Chinese Zodiac, those born in the year of the Dog have a strong sense of loyalty, and are always ready to help others!  

With Friday being a school PA day, it's a great opportunity to come visit us for a fun Chinese New Year activity! Join us at Steeles Branch for a lesson in Chinese calligraphy, at Cedarbrae Branch for a fun craft program, or at Spadina Road Branch for a storytime. Here's a  full list of Chinese New Year programs happening on February 16.

While you're visiting your local library, you can also browse a variety of materials in both simplified and traditional Chinese for all age groups. Pick up a storybook that explains the festivities that Chinese New Year brings, or check out the latest feature films in Cantonese or Mandarin. 

Wishing you and your family a joyous and prosperous new year. 恭喜发财!

https://www.vecteezy.com/vector-art/172881-chinese-new-year-2018-banner-illustration-vector

In the 1850s and 1860s many people escaped from slavery to what is now known as Canada. The secret network of routes that they used was called the Underground Railroad. 

Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad by Paul Collins – http://www.collinsart.org

Free blacks, white sympathizers and abolitionists helped guide, shelter and support fugitives as they sought freedom in a new land. Some historians estimate that as many as 30,000 fugitives used the "railroad" to escape their harsh reality in bondage. The short video below, created by Historica Canada, depicts the anguish that many freedom seekers experienced.

To keep these routes as safe as possible, many hidden terms and slave songs were used. Most of these terms were based on "railroad" metaphors, for example, guides were "conductors" and hiding places were "stations". These routes are shown below in the "Underground" Routes to Canada. This map and many more rare documents are located in the Baldwin Collection at Toronto Reference Library. 

There are many programs taking place at the library to celebrate Black History Month including a unique experience on the "railroad". You can "travel" along the Underground Railroad with Down To Earth Education. By assuming the role of a freedom seeker, participants will see what it might have been like to travel along the secret network of routes. Learn about life on a plantation and the life and times of one of the most well known conductors of all, Harriet Tubman.

The Underground Railroad
Hillcrest Branch
Friday, Feb. 9, 1-2:30 pm

With Black History Month in full swing, there are so many events that you can attend for free at the library.

Check out a book on the Black History Month 2018 recommended reading list or peruse the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection. With over 16,000 print and audiovisual materials, this collection has something for readers of all ages.

Staying in for the night? Then why not stream a new video for free through Kanopy? This new platform has thousands of videos to choose from including many about black history and culture. To learn more, check out our Getting Started Guide. 

All families always have stories to tell – some funny ones, some sad ones. All stories bring back memories of one's personal and family history. I like stories because they help bring about understanding and they are a celebration of who we are.

Families, big and small, are invited to the CultureLink Family Storytelling Festival this upcoming Family Day long weekend! The two-day free festival will take place at Lillian H. Smith Branch on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm and on Sunday, Feb. 18 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Captivating stories from around the world will be shared, celebrating our diversity. Part of the festival will also be broadcast to Malvern Branch.

The festival is funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and in partnership with CultureLink Settlement and Community Services, Passages Canada and the Reading Line.

Featured storytellers at the festival include:

Saturday, Feb. 17: Bernice Hune, Maya-waasige (aka John Keeshig), Itah Sadu and Lynn Torrie
Sunday, Feb. 18: Rubena Sinha, Sarah Abusarar, Dawne McFarlane and Donna Dudinsky

We look forward to seeing you there! As part of the festival, there will also be Toronto Public Library (TPL) family storytime sessions and a tour too. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Newcomer families can'take advantage of free children’s programs and services throughout the year. Ready for Reading programs, for children 0-5 years with a paren't or caregiver, take place at libraries across the city and help develop early literacy skills.

TPL also offers After-School Clubs for children 6-12 years. The After-School programs invite children to take part in a variety of fun activities including arts and crafts, robotics and circuitry, board games and much more.

For families not able to attend programs during the work week, TPL offers the Sunday afternoon Mini Makers program at 18 libraries. Mini Makers invites children 4- 8 years with a paren't or caregiver, to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through fun activities that spark wonder, creativity and discovery!

What are the regulations related to starting a new business in Canada? Are there government assistance programs to help me get started? If you are asking these questions, don't worry there is a place to get answers! Attend the free one-day Immigrant Business Expo on November 18 to get all the information you need to start, grow or manage your own small business. Small business owners attend workshops on business topics, meet with business experts and coaches and learn how to navigate the requirements of starting a business in Canada. The Expo is organized by New Canadians TV in collaboration with the City of Toronto, including the Toronto Public Library.

Still have questions and or want to get a head start? Check out the what the library has in store to help you with your small business needs!

Library Books and Online Resources

The library's vast collection of business books available in print and online covers topics such as marketing, business plans and financing to name just a few. You can also take a look at some suggested small business related books to help you get started. If you prefer to get your business information online, access our online tools and databases using your library card.

Entrepreneur in Residence

Get one-on-one help from Donovan Dill, our newest Entrepreneur In Residence on topics such as market research, promotion and finance. Donovan has over 20 years of experience in management and is the owner of event marketing company S.E.E. Promotions. Find out about Donovan's upcoming workshops.

Small Business Network

Join our ongoing networking events to connect and share experiences with other small business people or those thinking of starting their own businesses. 

Meeting Spaces and Expert Staff Help

Looking for a place to meet and work? Find out about our meeting spaces available in different branches where you can access free wifi. You can also meet with librarians who specialize in business resources at our reference libraries to get assistance finding information on market research, taxes and more. Don't forget to stay up to date with  what's happening at the Library by signing up for our monthly newsletter by sending us an email at smallbiznews@torontopubliclibrary.ca.

Hope to see you at the Immigrant Business Expo on  November 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Metro Hall.

Welcome to Toronto (به تورنتو خوش آمدید)! 

Toronto Public Library offers many services, all free, to help you get settled in Toronto. If you're new to the library, you can learn more in this free guide to library information in Persian. 

Did you know that there are nine library branches that carry Persian materials at Toronto Public Library? You'll find large collections (1,500 or more items) at Fairview, North York Central Library, and Toronto Reference Library; medium collections (750-1,500 items) at Albert Campbell, Albion, and Don Mills; and small collections (fewer than 750 items) at Cedarbrae, Flemingdon Park, and Thorncliffe. With thousands of books, movies, and other items to choose from, make Toronto Public Library the first place you visit!

To get your free library card, visit any Toronto Public Library branch with valid and current name and address identification.

On behalf of Toronto Public Library (کتابخانه ھای عمومی تورونتو), we hope that you enjoy our Persian collection! Welcome to the library (به کتابخانه خوش آمديد)! 

Toronto Public Library and eight local settlement agencies celebrate the ninth anniversary of Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) from October 10-21, coinciding with Canadian Citizenship Week (October 9-15) and Ontario Public Library Week (October 15-21).

This year’s theme is Celebration 150, celebrating Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation. We will feature programs and activities that combine Canada’s 150th, multiculturalism, and what newcomers love about Canada and Toronto. Celebrations will include visits by Citizenship Judges and a variety of events at LSP branch locations. Here is a taste of what some branches will be doing to celebrate:

• Agincourt Branch on Friday, October 13, 3:30-6 p.m.
• Toronto Reference Library on Friday, October 20, 1-3 p.m.  
• Parkdale Branch on Friday, October 20, 6-7:30 p.m.

With cultural dances, film screenings, speakers, storytelling, musical  performances, author visits and more, this year’s LSP celebrations promise to be exciting! We look forward to seeing you there!

Toronto Public Library currently has 16 LSP branches, Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), where settlement workers offer direct settlement-related help and programs to assist newcomers as they transition in Toronto:

Toronto Public Library partners with eight local Settlement Agencies:

Toronto Public Library has books, movies, music and digital content in more than 40 different languages. There are study guides for standardized tests (TOEFL, TOEIC), and ESL classes, as well as online tools for English learning and IELTS practice – and more. For more information about these resources and the LSP program, visit the New to Canada and Settling in Toronto pages on the Toronto Public Library.

What does citizenship #MyCitizenship mean to you and how are you celebrating Canada's 150th #Canada150?

Happy International Literacy Day! It's such a wonderful time to celebrate literacy and the love of reading! With a desire to highlight the importance of literacy, UNESCO  first declared September 8 to be International Literacy Day back in 1965. Today, because having the skills to use technology to find, create or communicate information is so important, this year's theme is Literacy in a Digital World.

To celebrate this day, I've come up with five literacy tips called the Five Es. 

Tip 1: Read Everyday
Experts say that reading aloud to your child for just 15 minutes a day improves their literacy skills. But what about you? Most of us read throughout the day, whether it be a menu, sign or an advertisement, but when was the last time you sank into a great book? What's good for children is also good for you! Reading every day for your own reasons can help develop your own literacy skills and it is a great habit to start today.

Tip 2: Explore
We all have our favourites. Just like our favourite dessert or colour, we all have a genre that we love to read. Some people enjoy a great mystery novel, while others prefer romance. But have you ever wondered what else is out there? How about trying a mix of genres like mystery-romance or reading something totally new? The possibilities are endless. Whatever your pleasure, try reading a different genre this month. I never read science fiction until a certain show became my addiction (cue Game of Thrones theme music please). Now, I've not only ventured into sci-fi but into fantasy novels as well.

Tip 3: Expand
UNESCO has seen the importance of being literate in a digital world and Toronto Public Library has as well. Our ebook collection has grown incredibly over the last few years and can be accessed through Overdrive. We've also boosted STEM programs for children and added programs for library users of all ages in our Digital Innovation Hubs and Pop Up Learning Labs. In addition to digital literacy, why not expand your understanding of financial literacy and health literacy. Reading, writing and math provide a solid foundation, now it's time to build other literacy pillars!

Tip 4: Educate
Your Toronto Public Library card gives you access to thousands of online courses for free. That's right! Learn from your home, laptop or anywhere that you can connect online. Choose from one of our many digital learning platforms; Lynda.com, Safari, Mango Languages and Gale Courses. 

 

If you would like to brush up on your speaking skills, you can attend ESL programs at the library or borrow one of our many books, CDs and DVDs. Perhaps you would simply like to improve your reading or writing skills. You may be eligible for one-on-one tutoring in the library's Adult Literacy program. The program provides free tutoring to English-speaking adults in basic reading, writing or math. 

To observe International Literacy Day, the learners in the library's Adult Literacy program provided words that they felt best describes them. Together, these words formed this wonderful word cloud. Download the poster (PDF) and be inspired!

Tip 5: Enjoy
Even though this should go without saying, it is worth a reminder. Reading for pleasure is a key motivator for readers of all ages. So what do you do if you aren't enjoying the book that you so carefully picked out or that your best friend recommended? Do you quit after reading a few chapters? Do you plow through as though reading this was a school assignment? Should you start skimming and skipping sections? That is entirely up to you! Reading for pleasure should be enjoyable. Besides, unless the author is your best friend…who is going to know?

The 42nd Toronto International Film Festival is finally here and there is something for everyone. From drama to comedy to romance, TIFF is sure to entertain. But what if you are unable to attend? Fear not! There are still several ways to enjoy great films. Sam, my colleague, has once again put together a great list of international films that are available at the library. Download the two-page PDF, A Film Watcher's Guide to World Cinema 5, and place holds on films that you would like to see. Now in its fifth edition, the list includes titles that have been screened at TIFF as well as additional world cinema titles that the library owns.

Links to past guides are listed below:
First Edition, 2012; Second Edition, 2013; Third Edition, 2015; and Fourth Edition, 2016 

Toronto Public Library also has a large assortment of new DVDs that you can borrow. Videos and TV shows can be streamed right on your web browser or viewed offline on your smartphone or tablet through Hoopla, Criterion and Overdrive. Our collection is growing every day, with films in many languages, so go ahead, relax, and enjoy!

The Toronto International Film Festival is scheduled from September 7 to 17. The festival will showcase a variety of new films from around the world in many languages, including Russian, Tagalog, Spanish and Mandarin. TIFF also screens films in several indigenous languages. Films can be viewed at many locations across the city and tickets cost as little as $10.

This year, two movies are being adapted from great novels. My personal favourite is Indian Horse, adapted from the novel of the same title by Richard Wagamese. This movie sheds a light on the dark history of residential schools in Canada. I was fortunate enough to meet the late Wagamese, who passed away earlier this year. I will always treasure my autographed copy of his novel.

The second movie is adapted from Margaret Atwood's novel, Alias Grace. It has been quite a year for Atwood, whose masterpiece, The Handmaid's Tale, became a television sensation in 2017. Now another one of her books is getting a well-deserved Hollywood treatment and being screened at TIFF. 

Looking for some last minute back to school advice? The Toronto Public Library’s got you covered.

In this post, I’ve put together a guide filled with librarian hacks: tips and ideas I've come across at the library that will make going back to school this September a breeze. As a librarian, I have a unique take on back-to-school because I spend my entire day surrounded by books (and DVDs, online resources and library programs too). Whenever I have a problem to solve, or I'm not sure how to tackle something new, they're my go-to resources.

When it comes to back to school, most people don't even realize (or they forget) how many hidden gems we have at the library. If you're new to Canada and unsure of what to expect at Canadian schools, you can come to the library and talk to a settlement worker or librarian who can help you prepare. The library also has a collection that can help you get excited about school and combat those first day jitters. It can also help you get a head start before the first day. Plus, the library's a great place to make friends your age from the neighbourhood, which can really help if you won't know anyone at your new school. If you need inspiration (or money saving tips) to ace back to school shopping, the library's got you covered too.

Get Excited About School

Nervous about starting school? Not sure what to expect? Don’t worry! There’s tons of information out there (and here at the library) that can help you get you ready and excited for back to school.

I don't mean research about schools in Toronto, or your school’s or school board’s website—although those are great places to start. I'm talking about novels (and movies and TV shows) that will get you excited about going back to school. If you're new to Canada or starting at a new school, novels are also a great way to find out what school life in Canada is like. Fiction isn’t always realistic—in Generation Dead by Daniel Waters, some of the kids are zombies—but many books, TV shows and movies do a great job or representing school experiences. 

Below, you'll find some recommendations, divided by school type (Preschool and Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and Different Types of Schools). They are not necessarily set at Canadian or Toronto schools, and they're only a small sample of all the recommendations I wanted to include, but they're a great place to start. If you're looking for more (or more specific) back to school reads, stop by your local library and ask a librarian. We love to recommend books (and movies and TV shows too)! 

Preschool and Elementary School

Paren'ts, one of the best ways you can prepare your little ones for school is through stories. Going to school for the first time can be scary for both you and your child, but it doesn’t have to be. If you need some tips on how to deal with your child’s separation anxiety, I highly recommend the blog Back to School Anxiety by fellow librarian Jeannette. There are also many picture books about school, which can show your child what to expect and get them excited about their first day.

There are some great TV shows about going to school too: 

Your local library's children's librarian can help you find many more school-themed books for preschool or elementary school kids. 

Middle School

School-themed books are also a great way to get older kids excited about going back to school. They can help kids look forward to the first day of school instead of dreading it or feeling sad about the end of summer vacation.

Charlie Joe Jackson's guide to not reading by Tom Greenwald (pictured above) is a great choice for reluctant readers, and there are also many TV shows and movies about going back to school: 

There are many more books, movies, and TV shows about middle school; ask for some more recommendations at your local library.

High School

Starting high school can be intimidating, so it helps to know what to expect. The great thing about books is that they can draw you in so you actually feel like you're experiencing what you're reading; so if you read about high school, books can'trick your mind into thinking you’ve already been there, even though you haven’t… and by the time you start school, high school classrooms, teachers, hallways, lockers, classmates and cafeterias all feel so familiar there's nothing left to be nervous about.

TV shows and movies are also a great way to get ready and excited about going to high school: 

Stop by your local library for more recommendations. 

Different Types of Schools

The books I've recommended so far represent the public school experience, but there are many different types of schools. There are faith-based schools (e.g., Catholic School, Jewish School, etc.), Montessori schools, all-girl and all-boy schools, boarding schools, gifted schools, art schools, sports schools… you get the picture. I've included a few sample reads below, but you can always ask a librarian for more specific recommendations. 

Get a Head Start

To do well in school, it's a good idea to get ahead before the first day. If you're new to Canada, start by talking to staff at your local library. They can recommend books and programs that can help you prepare and even get ahead.

Becoming familiar with Brainfuse is a great way to get a head start. It's a free online service available from the library website, that provides online homework help for students in grades K-12 daily between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. It also includes practice tests, writing assistance, skills building and more. Try Brainfuse on your own, or visit Joanne's blog post, Summer School Students – Get Online Homework Help with Brainfuse, for more information.

Did you know the library also carries many different types of school textbooks? Many of these are marked as "reference" and cannot be borrowed, which means you can come in and use them in the library at any time. You can review last year's textbooks to make sure you're ready for back to school; or if you know what books the school will be using this year, you can get ahead.

If you'd like to get a head start by developing some new tech skills, the library has some great maker programs for children and maker programs for teens. Kids and teens can learn to 3D print, design websites, make and edit videos, use an Arduino and more. If you're not sure where to start, contact one of our Digital Innovation Hubs for more information. 

For High School students who need volunteer hours to graduate, it's always a good idea to apply early. Some great places to volunteer include your local library or at one of the locations listed in our library guide to volunteer opportunities in the community.

Make Friends

If you're new to Canada, or you've moved to a new neighbourhood, you may not know anyone at your new school—and going to a school full of strangers can be scary. Luckily, the library has some great ways to make friends. 

If your local library is throwing an End of Summer Party or Summer Reading Club Party, that's a great place to meet other kids from the neighbourhood who may be starting at the same school. Call or stop by your nearest branch and find out if there's something fun scheduled. 

If you’re a teen (ages 13-19), a great way to make friends in your area before the first day of school is at your local library’s youth hub. The library currently has six locations (Cedarbrae, Centennial, Fairview, Maria A. Shchuka, Sanderson and York Woods), with three more launching in September (Albion, Barbara Frum and Malvern). If your library doesn't have a youth hub, they may still have other teen programs coming up. 

Ace Back to School Shopping

Back to school shopping can get expensive, and it's not easy finding good stuff on a budget. This is especially true if you're new to Canada and don't know where to look. You can search online (or ask friends, family and neighbours) for good sales, promotions and deals on back to school outfits and supplies; and you can save money by going the DIY (do-it-yourself) route.

Before you start, I recommend going through current issues of magazines for ideas. The library offers two free emagazine subscription services that allow you to access current issues of popular magazines on your computer, tablet or phone: RBdigital Magazines (formerly Zinio) and Flipster eMagazines. Many September issues of children's, teen and paren'ting magazines contain back to school articles and lots of great back to school shopping ideas.

If you’re fashion conscious, magazines are a great way to find out what’s in style. You can look at different outfits (unless you’re lucky, or unlucky, enough to have school uniforms), and you can learn about hairstyles and makeup. Plus, magazines are a great place to look for lunch ideas. As you flip through them, I recommend making a list of the things you'll need for back to school, or to take pictures of items you love.

Once you have a list of everything you’ll need, you can hit the stores or do it yourself. Even if you’re not crafty or creative, there are many simple DIY instructions in books and on the internet. It doesn’t necessarily mean making backpacks or clothes from scratch; you can get creative with items you already own and repurpose old school outfits and supplies to make them look new.

Have a great school year! 

I hope you have a great first day of school and a wonderful school year.

If you have any questions, comments, or tips for back to school, post them below. 

More Back to School Blogs From Our Librarians:

Your Child's First Day of School: Prepping Your Child for Kindergarten and Beyond

        Back to School at Any Age                                                                                    

          Back to School Anxiety                                                                                          

"Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?" Back to School with Movies at Toronto Public Library

Learning a new language is not always easy but Toronto Public Library can make learning fun and free with Mango Languages!

Mango Languages is an online language-learning resource that can help you learn over 70 languages, including English, French, Japanese, German, Greek, Italian, Arabic, Korean and more. You can use Mango for free with your valid Toronto Public Library card on any computer or mobile device with access to Internet. 

Mango Languages uses real-life situations, everyday conversations and audio from native speakers to teach a new language. The lessons are easy to follow with clear instructions and a narrator to help you practice vocabulary, grammar, reading and pronunciation. Cultural notes are included in each lesson.

This digital learning resource is very useful for practical verbal skills in another language for any conversation you might want to have. What makes Mango fun is the interactive films. You can watch and learn anytime. There are even ones for kids!

Mango also includes customized ESL courses for speakers of more than 20 languages! There are ESL courses for speakers of Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish (Latin America), Turkish, Vietnamese and more.

There is also an app for Mango Languages that you can use on your mobile devices. Create a Mango profile trough Mango Languages and then download the app through Google Play or iTunes. Use the same name and Toronto Public Library card number that were used to create an account when logging in.    

Learn about Mango Languages in 60 seconds!

Get started today with Mango at Toronto Public Library! Arigato. Efharisto. Danke. Grazie. Merci. Shukran. Thank you!

Canada and the Province of Ontario have been celebrating the 150th anniversary of Confederation this year and newcomers' contributions have been highlighted throughout. Multiculturalism is one of the most well-known features of Canada. Everyone "is welcome to Canada" as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in his Canada Day message. There are many different services and programs readily available, supporting newcomers as they build a new life in Canada. These supports help newcomers "to stand" and "to grow" in their new home.

Toronto is a big city. To welcome newcomers, Toronto Public Library offers library information in 40 languages that sums up the resources and services. One of the services is the Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) program and it is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). By working with 7 local settlement agencies, there are helpful settlement workers providing information referrals and programs for newcomers year-round at 14 library branches:

To learn more about LSP, check out the Settling in Toronto page and the New to Canada blog. 

While visiting an LSP location, newcomers can have their settlement questions answered and also register for a free library card. There are free resources and services at Toronto Public Library like materials in 40 languages, ESL information, online tools and more. Check out the New to Canada page for details.

This summer, additional settlement help will be provided at 13 branches through the Settlement and Education Partnerships in Toronto (SEPT). The SEPT locations this year are:

A total of 27 library branches will be offering settlement services this summer. Please stop by at any of the LSP and SEPT locations for settlement support. We are here to help!

Running until July 30, the Destination Canada exhibit shares newcomers' personal stories throughout Canadian history and touches on their reasons for coming, their journeys and their impressions upon arrival. The exhibit is free and it is on display in the Toronto Reference Library's TD Gallery during regular library hours. As part of the exhibit, you can leave a friendly welcome note to newcomers who recently arrived. 

Are you new to Canada? Wondering what Canada 150 (or even Canada Day) are? Or maybe just want to know where to celebrate Canada Day (and Canada 150) this year? Well, you've come to the right place.

Over the last few months, I've started noticing "Canada 150" everywhere. Stores are selling Canada 150 merchandise, venues all over the city are planning events and celebrations, and people are getting excited. Toronto Public Library has hundreds of events planned for Canada 150, spread out over our 100 branches… and it's practically all my librarian colleagues talk about. Plus, wonderful new books published especially for Canada 150 have started arriving at library branches all over the city. How can anyone not get excited?

In this blog post, I've shared with you some of my favourite ways to celebrate Canada Day 2017 and Canada 150. Even if you know all the best places to watch fireworks on July 1, or you think you know everything there is to know about Canada 150, I bet some of the events and books I've included in my blog will surprise you.

Celebrating Canada

On July 1, 1867, Canada's provinces joined together to form one country: Canada! Which is why every year, on July 1st, we celebrate Canada Day. 

O Canada
Our National Anthem (English version)

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.[1]

If you're new to Canada (or aren't familiar with our national anthem) you can listen to it online at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Canada Mosaic. The anthem is available in the 12 languages most commonly spoken in Canada: English, French, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, German, Italian, Arabic, Tagalog, Cree, ASL (American Sign Language), and Tamil. The video below is a mix of all 12.  

Canadians celebrate Canada Day with fireworks, concerts, picnics, parades, and events throughout the country. It's always a much-anticipated celebration, but this year it's even more special. On July 1, 2017, Canada turns 150 years old. You might have heard people talking about this momentous occasion, otherwise known as "Canada 150." 

The colourful maple leaf is a special Canada 150 logo. It has 13 multicoloured diamonds, one for each of Canada's provinces and territories.^[2] 

Celebrate Canada 150… at the library

At Toronto Public Library, we're celebrating Canada 150 all year long, with hundreds of programs across the city. Check with your local library to see what they have planned and come see how librarians are celebrating Canada 150. Canada day is next Saturday (on July 1, or course), but the library is starting the celebration early. Here's what we'll be doing in the week leading up to Canada Day: 

 Sunday, June 25, 2-3 p.m.

All About 1867 – Canada's Great Lakes Ships and Shipwrecks

Fort York Branch

Discover the exciting stories of several Canadian ships from the year 1867, the year Canada became a country!

 
Monday, June 26, 2-4 p.m.

Writers Group: Canada 150 Celebration

Albert Campbell Branch

Celebrate Canada's 150th birthday with the Scarborough Scribblers, Albert Campbell Library's writers' group. Experience an authentic writers group meeting with Canadian-themed writing prompts, readings, inspiration, and more. Writers of all genres are welcome!

 
Tuesday, June 27, 2-3 p.m.

Adult Crafternoon: Canada Day Bunting

Agincourt Branch

Celebrate Canada 150 with a beautiful Canada Day themed bunting/banner to hang up and liven any space! All materials will be provided. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please register in branch or call 416-396-8951.

Wednesday, June 28, 6-8:15 p.m.

National Film Board of Canada – Canada 150 Shorts Compiliation

Brentwood Branch

Celebrate Canada Day by watching some great shorts from the National Film Board of Canada. These are the shorts: Big Drive, Blackfly, Log Driver's Waltz, I Can Make Art…Like Emily Carr, I Can Make Art…Like Marcelle Ferron, Momentum, Paddle to the Sea, Postcards from Canada, and The Sweater.

Thursday, June 29 6-7 p.m.

Canada 150 – Maple Leaf Cross Stitch for Kids

Thorncliffe Branch

Celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday! Learn how to make your own Maple Leaf cross stitch at the library. All materials will be provided. Suitable for children ages 6 and up; paren'ts and caregivers welcome. Space is limited. Call 416-396-3865 to register.

Friday, June 30 4-5 p.m.

Happy Birthday Canada

York Woods Branch

Come celebrate Canada's 150th birthday with us. There will be cake, games and more. Get ready to party!

Celebrate Canada 150… on July 1

All Toronto Public Library branches are closed on July 1 for Canada Day, so be sure to check out your Canada Day reads early. On Canada Day, there will be plenty of free events in the community for you to enjoy. 

You can celebrate Canada 150 at Canada Days!, a citywide celebration that is happening at four locations across Toronto. The City of Toronto (in partnership with the Province of Ontario’s Ontario150 Program and the Government of Canada) has one-day events planned at Mel Lastman Square, Humber Bay Park West and Scarborough Civic Centre on July 1, and a four-day festival at Nathan Phillips Square from June 30 to July 3. These events are free.

You can also find a list of other Canada Day events, as well as Canada Day firework times and locations, on Toronto.com. 

Image courtesy of Tourism Toronto.

Celebrate Canada 150… with books

If you'd rather pass on the Canada 150 festivities, or need a little extra something, you can also celebrate Canada 150 with books. Reading is one of my favourite ways to celebrate anything and everything (it's no wonder I'm a librarian). I've included a selection of Canadian reads below, starting with books published especially for Canada's 150th birthday… followed by books about Canada Day in general. Of course, you might also want to learn more about our beloved Canada, its rich history, beautiful landscape, and diverse population. Luckily, I've included some books about those topics too. If they don't get you in a Canada 150 mood, I don't know what will… except for fireworks, of course!  

For Adults

Now You Know Canada by Doug Lennox

Celebrating Canada. Volume 1.

Canada : 150 Panoramas by George Fischer

Chicken Soup for the Soul: O Canada

Canada's Odyssey by Peter H. Russell

Surviving Canada

For Kids 

Canada's 150th Birthday by Kathy Middleton

Why I Love Canada, illustrated by Daniel Howarth

Who Runs This Country, Anyway? by Joanne Stanbridge

The Big Book of Canada by Christopher Moore

Discover Canada

And let's not forget Discover Canada! If you immigrated here, this is the book that helps you study for your Canadian Citizenship Test. It's full facts about Canada: our history, government, justice system, economy, and provinces and territories. Why not brush up on your Canada trivia in time for the first of July?  You can borrow it from the library, read it online, or listen to it online. 

Discover Canada

Just For Laughs

While I was writing this blog, I also came across some hilarious books about Canada… and this "just for laughs" section was born. Celebrate living in a country you can laugh about (and love for all its quirks) with these hilarious reads. 

150 Years of Stats Canada! 

Fakin' Eh! by Dan de Figueiredo

Is Canada Even Real? by J. C. Villamere

The Canadaland Guide to Canada by Jesse Brown

In the History Books

Canada 150 will be remembered for years to come, just like Canada's 100th anniversary: the Canadian Centennial. If you were in Canada in 1967 for that celebration, do you remember what you were doing on July 1, 1967? Share your story in the comments section! And please come back after July 1 and share how you celebrated Canada 150. Who knows… maybe one day, your photo from July 1, 2017 will join archived photos of Canada 100 like the one below. 

"It was young 'CAH- NAH- DAH-' Day at the Ex. Wearing his famed pied piper costume and carrying his special centennial trumpet, Bobby Gimby, composer of Canada's centennial song, leads a parade of his singers and hundreds of other children from the grandstand show to the bandshell yesterday afternoon at the Exhibition."[3]

Happy Canada Day and Happy Canada 150!

I hope you have a wonderful Canada Day and enjoy some of the Canada 150 festivities Toronto has to offer. Don't forget to come back to share your stories! How did you celebrate? Did you attend any of our library programs? Did you enjoy any of the recommended reads? I'd love to hear from you. 

References

1. "O Canada : OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM" (PDF). Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
2. Middleton, Kathy (2017). Canada's 150th Birthday. Crabtree Publishing Company. p.4. ISBN 978-0-7787-4108-4.
3. Feeny, Edwin (1967). "It was young 'CAH- NAH- DAH-' Day at Ex." From the Toronto Star Archives. Call Number/Accession Number tspa_0111822f. Retrieved June 20, 2017.

Hello! こんにちは！ Did you know that there are four branches that carry Japanese materials at the Toronto Public Library? With thousands of books, CDs, DVDs and magazines to choose from, make the Toronto Public Library the first place you visit if you want to read Japanese books, learn Japanese or watch a Japanese movie. Welcome to Japanese at your library!

Did you know the Toronto Japanese Film Festival is happening this month?  It runs from June 8 to 28 and will be a great showcase of Japanese talent in film. Why not start with some Japanese films from the library?

Have you used Mango Languages? Mango Languages is a language learning tool that has many languages to choose from, including Japanese. It is helpful for learning English, too. Why not give it a try?  なぜそれを試してみませんか?  There are other ways the library can help you learn English. Browse the New to Canada section of our website for more information. Here are some books you can use to help you learn Japanese:

Don't have a library card yet? Don’t worry, it’s easy! Simply bring a piece of valid and current name and address identification to your local branch and we can help you get a card.

From programs, to books, movies and more, the Toronto Public Library's Japanese Collection is here waiting for you. Come and check it out! 是非チェックしてください！

It was an honor to invite artist Pingxin Xu and his wife to perform on the dulcimer at Maria A. Shchuka Branch on the afternoon of Saturday, May 20.  The audience enjoyed various types of music from different regions in China, including Jiangnan (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai and Anhui provinces), Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangdong (Canton), Manchuria, and from Taiwan, as well as famous music from outside those regions.

I was particularly impressed and moved when they played Teresa Deng's song and Dance of the Yao People composed collaboratively by Liu Tieshan and Mao Yuan, as I used to listen to the latter as performed by the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, although not incorporating the Chinese dulcimer.

Before each piece of music, Xu always provided a brief introduction to the piece, which helped the audience understand it better. The audience was very excited to listen to the music; they asked a lot of questions and Xu answered them all. I was surprised Xu's English was so fluent.

After the performance, some audience members offered to buy CDs, and asked for individual tutoring. TPL owns some of Xu's music CD collection. We can also listen to his music through Naxos Music Online. Xu can be reached by email: pingxin@aol.com. 

Here is one segment of the Dance of the Yao People, which I taped during the event.

上星期六，五月二十日下午， 著名扬琴艺术家徐平心夫妇来我馆演奏中外名曲，受到观众的良好评价。徐平心夫妇演奏的中国名曲选自中国不同的地方，包括江南，广东，四川，云南，东北等地区，再加上台湾的邓丽君的“月亮代表我的心”， 和外国名曲。我特别喜欢他们演奏的瑶族舞曲，以前我一直是听上海交响乐队演奏的，这次第一次听由扬琴来演奏。对了，他还专门介绍了扬琴的历史，以及在世界各地的传播发展情况。

活动解说以后，许多观众留下来，继续提问题，索要CD， 询问家教培训的事宜。

May is Asian Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their diverse and vital contributions to our nation and culture. The Toronto Public Library has many Asian Heritage Month programs happening all month long to celebrate.

On Wednesday, May 24,  world famous Chinese-Canadian writer Xue YiWei will present a talk entitled Life and Love in Capitalist China about his first book in English, Shenzheners, at the Don Mills Branch.  The book is inspired by the young city of Shenzhen, a town that became an experiment in introducing capitalism to Communist China. At S. Walter Stewart Branch, Leslie Shimotakahara will talk about her book After the Bloom, the story of a daughter's search for her missing mother, which in turn reveals her family's past in a Japanese internment camp during the Second World War.

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of attending Catherine Hernandez's talk on her debut novel, Scarborough. Catherine candidly shared her experience of writing the novel, read from the novel, and got all of us engaged in a lively discussion afterwards. It was exciting and inspiring to meet someone who captured the stories of this community in such an authentic way. Catherine's novel tells character-driven stories – about people in Scarborough, from newcomers, to those struggling through poverty, to people navigating institutions – that are at times shocking, at times sad, but always extremely real and poignant. It was great to meet her and hear her share these stories. 

Showing off our copies of Scaborough at the McGregor Park Library. Myself and Catherine Hernandez [right]

In addition to Asian Heritage Month celebrations, the library has a wide range of books by Asians authors that you can access year-round. Here are some of my personal favourites. Some are serious, some a bit more light hearted. Have you read any of these? Any other books by Asian authors you'd like to recommend? Please share them in the comments below!

This May, there are two events for newcomers in Toronto that you won't want to miss!  

On Monday, May 15, the third annual Toronto Newcomer Day will take place at Nathan Phillips Square. Between 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, there will be family-friendly activities, showcasing Toronto's diverse communities. Be sure to mark this date on your calendar and come celebrate Toronto Newcomer Day! Everyone is welcome!

Toronto Public Library will be there! Come by and visit our table at the Information Fair or stop by City Hall Branch to register for a library card if you do not have one. 

I really like this Toronto Newcomer Day video from last year, everyone shared what they love about Toronto.  What do you love about Toronto?

Just shortly after Toronto Newcomer Day, come and visit the TD Gallery at Toronto Reference Library for the new and interesting exhibit called "Destination Canada."

Presented in partnership with Passages Canada, the exhibit explores our diverse experiences of migration, arrival and finding a place of belonging in Canada from early settlement to present day. This exhibit will run from May 20 to July 30.

Toronto Public Library also offers a variety of newcomer services. Check out our New to Canada page for more information. 

Library Settlement Partnerships is offered at several library branches where settlement workers can help newcomers with their settlement needs. This is funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.

 Be sure to come out for these events!

According to a 2014 study called Preceived life stress, 23 percent of Canadians report high levels of stress in their daily lives. Stress is caused by many factors, including workplace, family or health. This can be especially true for newcomers as they try to adapt to a new country and culture. It is common for many newcomers to feel frustration, helplessness, fear and stress as they try to find employment, learn a new language or find a place to live. Stress levels increase when you cannot find employment comparable to what you had in your previous country; or the kind of  home you expect. These challenges increase when you have no relatives or friends to turn to for support and guidance. To help newcomers better adjust to the country, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has published a booklet, Welcome to Canada: What You Should Know, that has important information, including explanations about legal and tax systems in Canada. The CIC website also provides information and access to citizenship forms and Permanent Residence forms. 

For newcomers looking for more personal guidance, there are many local settlement services to turn to for help. You can get information on finding a job, schools for your children, and more. Try the CIC's website to look up organizations near home. The Ontario's Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration website also provides a list of settlement agencies by their locations. Some of these agencies even specialize in helping people from a particular cultural background so newcomers can feel more at home.  

Newcomers can also find settlement services offered at the library. Many of our settlement workers are multilingual so you are sure to find someone who can speak your native language. For students, many school boards also offer settlement services. Just ask your local school for information. 

To help cope with stress:

• Talk to friends or co-workers. Language classes and clubs are a great way to meet people. 
• Take deep breaths and breathe slowly.
• Be flexible as there are some things you cannot change.
• Handle your problems one at a time instead of all at once.
• Read a good book or magazine to take your mind off the problems.

If stress becomes too much to handle, don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. Having another person for support is always better than facing problems on your own. Talk to someone from mental health services and see how they can help you.

Try some of these good or funny books to ease your mind for an hour or so a day!

Today is World Health Day and it got me thinking. How many of us sacrifice our health for things that are less precious? Whether your New Year's resolution to get fit or eat healthy has waned or disappeared altogether, now is the time to be reinvigorated. The time is right to spring into action. Take a deep breath and examine the many ways that you can improve your health. 

Your Health Matters is a new workshop series, presented by Toronto Public Heath, at the library. Why not attend one of these special health related programs? Please join us at York Woods library for an informative workshop on Physical Active Living on Friday, April 21, 1-2 pm.

Here are some books from the Your Health Matters Recommended Reading list!

           
Living in the here and now, or mindfulness, is a simple action that is not quite so simple. To be fully attentive to what you are doing when you are doing it is not as easy as it seems. Sometimes we worry about the future or replay decisions we've made in the past while we are working on something in the present. Although we can still finish the task at hand, being mindful of what we are doing improves concentration and mental clarity. The Lillian H. Smith library is hosting a mindfulness program about Benjue Mindfulness Meditation on Saturdays, April 8 and 15.

http://floweringheart.org/meditation.htm

Another health vulture is stress. It can deplete our energy, make it hard to focus and cause many ailments, like headaches and nausea, to name a few! There are several ways to reduce stress, including listening to relaxing music, reading a good book, or dancing to music from the 80's (oops!…that may be just me). Nowadays, adults are turning to a new relaxing activity that has worked for children for decades. Colouring! Yes, colouring is a great way for adults to relax and unwind. Would you like to try it out? There are many library branches across the city that have Adult Colouring Clubs, so sharpen your pencil crayons and join us for a moment to relax, socialize and get creative. 

Adult Colouring Clubs are located at the
following library branches:
Brentwood, Burrows Hall, Eatonville,
Evelyn Gregory, Humber Bay, Leaside, 
Locke, Long Branch, New Toronto,
Richview and Riverdale

On a more serious note, the theme for World Health Day is Depression. The first step towards getting help is to talk to someone. Let's help each other. Today, tomorrow, and each day after that, let your health be a top priority.  

Hello! হ্যালো! Did you know that there are eight branches that have Bengali materials at the Toronto Public Library? With thousands of books, CDs, DVDs and magazines to choose from, make the Toronto Public Library the first place you visit if you want to read or learn Bengali. Welcome to Bengali at your library!

I got the chance to chat with our Bengali language selector, Samiya Syeda, to ask her more about the process of selecting Bengali books for the Toronto Public Library.  

Suzanne: Can you tell me about how you choose Bengali books for the library?

Samiya: I pick fiction, nonfiction and childrens books. I look at famous authors and titles, and look up the latest titles that are out and order them through the library’s various vendors that offer titles in Bengali. Things I consider are the publisher, year, price, if our database already has it, and how it circulates.

Suzanne: Wow! What else can you tell me about the collections?

Samiya: Cedarbrae and Dawes Road have the largest collections of Bengali materials. Some locations have sent their Bengali children's collections to a branch that has more use for it. So check with your local branch! 

Suzanne: What are some popular authors or titles?

  Samiya: Humayun Ahmed is a very popular Bangladeshi author, and people are always looking for his books. Actually, last year it was very hard to find his books, so I had to make a special request to numerous vendors as people were demanding his books! They created a special list of his titles for me so I can order them the next time I place an order. 

Suzanne: Wow, there is so much to do and consider when choosing Bengali materials for the library. Thank you, Samiya!

Pssst! If you would like to read Humayun Ahmed's books, here’s a list of his titles available at the Toronto Public Library!

Did you know the library also has resources to help you learn Bengali?  Have you used Mango Languages? It is a free language learning tool available on our website. Mango Languages has many languages to choose from, including Bengali.  Mango Languages is helpful for learning English, too. Why not give it a try? চেষ্টা করুন! 

There are other ways the library can help you learn English. Browse the New to Canada section of our website for more information. Don't have a library card yet? Don’t worry, it’s easy! Simply bring a piece of valid and current name and address identification to your local branch and we can help you get a card.

We hope you find your favourite books and movies in the Toronto Public Library's Bengali Collection! Come and check it out!  এসে দেখে যান.

One of the early signs of spring in Canada is tax season! Most Canadian income tax and benefit returns for 2016 are due on April 30, 2017.

Newcomers, including refugees, are required to file a tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) even if they have only been in the country for a few months and may not have worked yet.

"At your service: Tax preparation services complete returns for millions of confused Canadians each year." 1981 Toronto Star Photograph Archive, Toronto Public Library

Many of the benefits we enjoy in Canada are funded through our taxes. Canada's tax system pays for roads, schools, health care, social security, public safety and immigration services for newcomers etc.

Taxes can be complicated for most Canadians. And while filing your first tax return is an important step in your newcomer's life in Canada, there are so many new terms and procedures to understand – T1, T4, payroll, SIN, RRSP, GST/HST credit, child tax benefit, notice of assessment, etc…

I still remember the day I prepared my first tax return in Canada a few years ago. I had only earned a very small income in my early days in Toronto, so I wasn't sure whether I should still file a tax return. I found all the new terminology and the paper form overwhelming. Luckily, I was able to make an appointment with a volunteer accountant at one of the free tax clinics (see more below) that Toronto Public Library offers every year around this time of the year – March-April. So I was relieved when I got help and was able to get my tax credits very soon!

cra.gc.ca/newcomers

"Many taxpayers need assistance with their 1972 tax returns". 1973 Toronto Star Photograph Archive, Toronto Public Library.

You can file your tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency by Internet or by mail. As of February 1, 2017, you can pick up a paper tax package from any post office or find it online. Millions of Canadians file their tax returns electronically. To file online, you need your social insurance number (SIN), birth date, income tax information and access to certified software. The CRA provides a list of software options at www.cra.gc.ca/netfilesoftware including some that are free for everyone.

Below are some helpful videos, articles and free services that you can use to learn more about the Canadian tax system and your responsibilities and to help you file your first tax return:

• Video guide for newcomers by the Canadian Revenue Agency: Newcomers to Canada and the Canadian Tax System. There are eight episodes, each one is only several minutes long. It is best to watch them in sequence. The program explains the basics and the steps for filing a tax return for the first time. "It applies only for the first tax year that you are a new resident of Canada for income tax purposes. After your first tax year in Canada, you are no longer considered a newcomer for income tax purposes."

 Episode 6 "Your first income tax and benefit return"

• Download brochure T4055 Newcomers to Canada: If you left another country to settle in Canada in 2016, this pamphlet will introduce you to the Canadian tax system and help you to complete your first income tax and benefit return as a resident of Canada.
• Free tax clinics: If you cannot afford to pay for tax preparation services, you may be eligible for a free tax clinic as part of the CRA community volunteer income tax program all across Canada. These clinics are for people who have a low income and simple tax situation. To find a volunteer tax preparation clinic near you, go to www.cra-arc.gc.ca/volunteer.

Free Income Tax Clinics at Toronto Public Library 2017 – check out this library blog for detailed information on the numerous free tax clinics hosted at library branches every year. In March-April 2017,  all these library branches below offer free tax clinics for eligible low-income residents. These Income Tax Clinics are available by appointment if you are eligible. A valid Social Insurance Number is required. 

Albert Campbell, Barbara Frum, Cedarbrae, Dawes Road, Eatonville, Evelyn Gregory, Fairview, Flemingdon Park, Highland Creek, Jane/Dundas, Kennedy/Eglinton, Main Street, Malvern, Maryvale, Parliament Street, Sanderson, Scarborough Civic Centre, Toronto Reference Library, York Woods.

You can also check with your nearest Toronto Public Library Library Settlement Partnership worker for assistance. There are 13 library branches that offer this free settlement information service. 

• Frequently Asked Questions for Individuals from the Canadian Revenue Agency – information and answers about tax rates and how to file your return. From the CRA.
• Ontario Tax Credits and Benefits – Learn about the different tax credits and benefits you can get to help you with living costs when you file your income tax return. From the Ministry of Finance.
• Stay organized all year: It is not that difficult. I start a new tax return file every calendar year and store there all the receipts that I would need for my next year's tax return – charitable donations, daycare expenses, memberships etc. Keep all receipts and documents for at least six years after you file your return. If the CRA chooses to review your return, you will need to submit your receipts to support your claims.

Canadian Tax Checklist by H&R Block, November 2016.

Filing your first tax return as a new resident may seem complicated. But there is support and resources to help you out. Happy spring in Canada!

Family Day weekend is around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with some fun, free activities in the city?  If you will be spending it with your family, you might be looking for some family-friendly things to do. Toronto Public Library will have lots of family-friendly programming all weekend long. Check out our Programs for Kids and Families and Movie Programs happening at different library branches in the city. 

There will also be lots of free outdoor and indoor activities provided by the City of Toronto. Select community centres, skating rinks and pools will have family-friendly programming for Family Day. Or how about visiting a local park for some good ol' winter fun! Tobogganing, anyone?

So what is Family Day anyway?

In 2007, the provincial government established this February holiday.  Premier Dalton McGuinty promised that, if elected, he would establish a provincial holiday in February.  A decade later, families across Canada enjoy Family Day weekend as a welcome break during the cold winter months. It has different names in other provinces such as Louis Riel Day (Manitoba), Islander Day (PEI) and Nova Scotia Heritage Day (Nova Scotia).  I myself am going to try going technology-free this weekend. Taking my dog for a brisk winter walk, and spending some time playing board games with my family, will be a few of my activities, along with curling up with a good book of course!

Here are some great titles if you are looking for activities to do with your family:

Once you’ve tired yourself out with those, here's a few more titles with great activities for kids and adults. Or how about some of the activities on this list of 50 essential winter activities?  Try and see how many you can do!

Happy Family Day!

Last December, I heard the strangest thing. Could my ears have been playing tricks on me or did the radio announcer just say that Viola Desmond would be replacing Sir John A. MacDonald on a series of $10 bills in 2018? As it turns out, I was not daydreaming. My shock turned into joy and my eyes misted over as the ramification of this decision soaked in. What stood out was not that she would be the first Canadian woman to grace our currency, but that Desmond was a black rights activist. Nine years before Rosa Parks became a name synonymous with American Civil Rights, Viola Desmond opposed racial segregation in Canada by standing up to the imposing authorities of her day. Her refusal to sit in the all black section of the theatre got her thrown in jail and her court case was one of the first of its kind in Canada. Desmond's story was recently depicted in a Heritage Minutes short film created by Historica Canada.

Of all the women nominated to be featured on Canada's $10 bill, 461 met the eligibility requirements. The short list included:

• E. Pauline Johnson (1861-1913): Johnson, a Mohawk woman, was an acclaimed writer, poet and performer, whose work often examined Indigenous culture and traditions.
• Elizabeth (Elsie) MacGill (1905-1980): MacGill, the first woman in the world to work as an aircraft designer, is known for her work on the Hawker Hurricane fighter planes used in the Second World War.
• Fanny (Bobbie) Rosenfeld (1905-1969): Rosenfeld won gold and silver on the track at the 1928 summer Olympics in Amsterdam.
• Idola Saint-Jean (1880-1945): Saint-Jean, an educator and journalist, fought for women's right to vote in Quebec.

(Courtesy http://www.cbc.ca)

Much more than a "reason" to attend Black History Month events at the library and across the city, Desmond forces us all to look at our history and ourselves. She will remind us of this when we shop or purchase services with cash or go to the bank. Ironically, back in 1946, when Viola Desmond was dragged from that theatre, she was convicted of defrauding the province of a one penny tax. She was fined $20 for the trumped up offense and charged $6 in court costs. Now her image will be on Canadian currency. If you'd like to know more about this influential individual, check out what the library has available and learn more about Desmond's courage and her triumph that changed the course of history. A book about Desmond is highlighted in the library's Black History Month Recommended Reading list. It includes great titles for readers of all ages. 

Viola Desmond's Canada: A History of Blacks and Racial Segregation in the Promised Land by Graham Reynolds
A black Halifax businesswoman, Viola Desmond, was wrongfully arrested for sitting in a white's-only section of a movie theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. In 2010, 64 years later, the Nova Scotia government recognized this gross miscarriage of justice and posthumously granted her a free pardon.

Viola Desmond Won't be Budged by Jody Warner
In 1946, unsung hero Viola Desmond stood up to racial segregation by refusing to give up her seat on the main floor of a movie theatre in Nova Scotia. Her struggle for equality is exemplified in this simple picture book. 

While Desmond is known for her courageous stand, her other achievements are often overshadowed. Before she became an activist, she was an incredibly successful entrepreneur. She opened the Desmond School of Beauty Culture, a beautician school, and created a line of beauty products. For Desmond, entrepreneurship was her forte. Perhaps this may be a road for you as well? With over 250 books and hundreds of articles on how to start your own business, maybe it is time to channel your "inner Viola" and explore your opportunities. Courage, gumption and tenacity…we can all step up and step forward. 

On Thursday, January 19, 2017, Maria A. Shchuka Branch hosted a program on Chinese paper-cutting, a very distinctive visual art. Artist Li Xiqin (李西秦女士) gave the audience a wonderful demonstration and coaching on this unique Chinese art form.

Xiqin has worked with Chinese paper-cuts for 50 years. Trained and practicing as a traditional Chinese medical doctor, she employs some medical and psychological concepts into her paper-cuts work. She showed the audience how make paper-cuts to demonstrate emotions and feelings such as joy, anger, worry, thought, distress, fear and nervousness.

The images above are from her presentation. In addition, Xiqin made paper-cuts based on traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions.

Here are the some pictures taken from our event: 

 .

Local Chinese TV station Fairchild interviewed Xiqin during the event. You can also view her video on Youtube. 

Bridlewood Branch has the similar papercutting program. At least two other branches (Sanderson and McGregor Park) were interested in the program and planed to have one during May Asian Heritage Month 2017. 

Library users may be interested in borrowing this book ("The art of paper cutting") at TPL.   

Many people have come to Canada as refugees throughout the 20th century and more and more in recent years, in times that reflect the global waves of wars, violence and conflicts, poverty and distress. The refugee story is the story of humanity, our neighbours, friends, elders, communities at large – they have all experienced and told stories of displacement and suffering and also of helpers, love and kindness.

There has been a lot of media coverage about the Syrian Refugee Crisis and the arrival of refugee families in Canada. As of January 2, 2017 Canada has welcomed 39,671 Syrian refugees in just over 13 months (source: Government of Canada: Canada resettled Syrian refuges).

Discussing global issues with children can be challenging. When we take the time to talk to children in age-appropriate ways, we help them feel safe and teach them compassion. They become more informed, educated and empowered as well. If you aren't sure how to talk to kids about the current refugee crisis, start with a book. Public libraries have many wonderful children's books about refugees from various times and parts of the world.

Nizar Ali Badr – Syrian artist, illustrator of the book Stepping stones': A Refugee Family's Journey [Photo credit: Syriaartasso.com]

There is one Canadian picture book that I found to be very moving and poignant – Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey, a story told in stones, illustrated by Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr. You can see a sample of the artist's artwork above. A young girl and her family are forced to flee their village to escape the civil war in Syria and make their way to Europe. The book is bilingual, in English and Arabic, and the story of the book itself is even more fascinating. Canadian author Margriet Ruurs saw the artwork on Facebook and was very moved by it. After months of searching, she connected online with the artist Nizar Ali Badr who still lives in his home town Latakia, Syria. Nizar Ali Badr is an established Syrian sculptor, whose stone sculptures tell complex stories. His art captures the tragic and hopeful moments many Syrian families endure after fleeing the country's ongoing violence. Here is the full CBC story on this most extraordinary Canadian picture book. 

Wordless Picture Books to Share with Refugee Children

Check out a wide selection of outstanding wordless or "silent" picture books on the library's website: stories without words. In another TPL blog post: Silence is Golden: The Astonishing Power of Wordless Books to Inspire, Delight and Unite Us, you can learn about the Island of Lampedusa off the coast of Italy, a transit point for many migrants and refugees, and Lampedusa's first children's library of "silent books", established by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) in response to the waves of refugees from Africa and the Middle East. Wordless books are a great choice for any young reader and book lovers of any age, but even more so suitable to share with young refugee children, who come from a variety of cultural backgrounds and speak different languages. Find out more about IBBY's Silent Books project and feel free to use this pdf booklet created by IBBY Sweden which gives you ideas about how to use "silent books" with children. Wordless books bridge over barriers of language, culture, age and intellectual ability with the power of their artwork and narration – and help bring more tolerance and understanding among people of the world. Toronto Public Library was honoured to host the travelling IBBY Silent Books exhibition in the fall of 2015. 

Picture Books About Refugees

Below is a list of several excellent picture books about refugee children to share with your family. Some will also be helpful to read in class and among newcomer friends. You can place a hold on them and borrow them from Toronto Public Library.

Four Feet, Two Sandals, by Karen l. Williams, 2007: Two young Afghani girls living in a refugee camp in Pakistan share a precious pair of sandals brought by relief workers.

How I Learned Geography, by Uri Shulevitz, 2008: As he spends hours studying his father's world map, a young boy escapes the hunger and misery of refugee life. Based on the author's childhood in Kazakhstan, where he lived as a Polish refugee during World War II.

Journey Home, by Lawrence McKay, 1998: Mai returns to Vietnam, the land of her mother's birth, to discover both a new country and something about herself.

The Journey is an exceptional recent book that deals with the heartbreaking topic of refugee families. Published in Great Britain in 2016, this debut picture book by Francesca Sanna, an Italian illustrator and graphic designer based in Switzerland, tells a very moving story in a loving fairy-tale style with striking illustrations. This book will stay with you for a long time. The story of a widowed mother fleeing a war-torn homeland with her two children clearly reflects, without naming places and time, the harrowing and very real experiences of today's Syrian refugees and others crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe.

Brothers in Hope, by Mary Williams, 2005: Eight-year-old Garang, orphaned by a civil war in Sudan, finds the inner strength to help lead other boys as they trek hundreds of miles seeking safety in Ethiopia, then Kenya, and finally in the United States.

Oskar and the Eight Blessings, by Richard Simon 2015: A young Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany arrives in New York City on the seventh night of Hanukkah and receives small acts of kindness while exploring the city.

The Long Road, by Luis Garay, 1997: Jose and his mother flee their home in a Latin American village when civil war breaks out. They travel on foot, always at night, seeking shelter "with friends, in a church, even in a shack full of feathery chickens." At last they cross the border to safety. Based on Garay's personal experiences after leaving Nicaragua; in 1988 he emigrated to Toronto, Canada.

Anna's Goat, by Janice Kulyk Keefer, 2001: The plight of a refugee family forced into the European countryside during World War II and the unique way their adoptive village helps them cope with their desperate circumstances. The story ends with a grown-up Anna, now living in Canada, creating clay sculptures of animals, and especially of nanny goats.

The Roses in My Carpet, by local Toronto author Rukhsana Khan, 1988: This very mature realistic story follows a day in the life of a young Afghani boy in a refugee camp who takes solace in the beautiful carpets he weaves.

How Many Days to America: A Thanksgiving Story, by Eve Bunting, 1988: After the soldiers come, Papa tells his family that they must leave everything behind and set sail for America. The journey across the Caribbean is dangerous and long, and our narrator and his little sister keep asking, "Just how many days is it to America?". Well-known children's author Eve Bunting, herself an immigrant from Ireland, shares the story of a new generation of pilgrims who are willing to risk their lives to look for freedom in America.

The Color of Home, by Mary Hoffman, 2002: a moving picture book follows first-grader Hassan through his first few days at school. Hassan has only recently arrived in the United States after he and his family were forced to flee Somalia, and he deeply misses the colourful landscape of his former home in Africa.

And my other favourite book in this selection is "My Two Blankets" by Irena Kobald, 2015. This multicultural story of friendship is about leaving home, moving to a foreign and strange place, and finding a new friend. Kobald is an Australian illustrator and a multilingual Austrian immigrant to Australia, who teaches aboriginal children in Australian outback communities.

Refuge by British author Anne Booth (2016) is a moving retelling of the nativity story from a perspective emphasizing the struggle of Mary and Joseph as refugees relying on the kindness of strangers. Booth wrote Refuge to raise money for children fleeing war and conflict today.

If you are also curious about books for older school-aged children and teens, here is a list to start with, compiled by American youth librarian, writer and blogger Kelly Bjensen: Stories about Refugees: A YA Reading List.

From free library cards, welcoming safe library spaces and books in many languages to ESL classes, settlement workers, employment workshops, Toronto Public Library welcomes everyone and partners with many community agencies to assist newcomers.

• How Libraries Are Helping Newcomers Adjust to Life in Toronto, by Nikhil Sharma, Torontoist, November 16, 2016.

For more information on library services for refugees in Toronto, please visit three previous library blog posts on New to Canada:

• Welcome to Our Friends From Syria, Dec 2015
•  Library Resources for our Friends from Syria, January 2016
•  Arabic and English Together on One Page: Dual Language Books at Toronto Public Library, April 2016

Syrian refugees settle down in Canada with the help of organizations including COSTI Immigrant Services, funded by the Government of Canada. March 21, 2016.

Holocaust survivor and Nobel peace prize winner Elie Wiesel once said: "No human being is illegal".

Seeking asylum is a human right. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights that was signed in Paris in 1948 was drafted as a result of the tragedies of the Second World War. Human Right No. 14 is about refugees: "Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution."

We hope that you find the recommended picture books helpful in better understanding the refugee experience.

There are two city-sponsored food festivals that are held in Toronto each year: Summerlicious and Winterlicious. 

Winterlicious is coming up starting January 27, 2017 and ending on February 9, 2017. Over 220 restaurants in Toronto are participating by offering three-course meals at set prices. Depending on the restaurant, lunch costs $18, $23, or $28 per person and dinner costs $28, $38, or $48 per person. There are also Winterlicious Culinary Events with tickets ranging from $55 to $105 per person. 

Winterlicious is a foodie (a person with a particular interest in food) favourite and provides a great opportunity to sample delicious cuisine prepared by top chefs. It's a very popular event and many Torontonians participate every year.

The downside of Winterlicious is that even with the discounted restaurant prices, it may not fit in everyone's budget. You might not have money set aside for restaurant dining, have a hard time justifying the expense, or simply not be able to afford it. As a result, you could end up skipping Winterlicious altogether. 

But what if there was a more affordable way to join in the Winterlicious fun? A way to sample delicious cuisine on a budget? I bring you "Winterlicious: DIY (Do It Yourself) Style".

Winterlicious: DIY Style

If Winterlicious does not fit into your budget — or you find DIY fun — why not just do it yourself and host your own Winterlicious-style dinner? You can dine alone, make a meal for the entire family, cook a romantic dinner for two, or even plan a fun Winterlicious-themed party for a group of friends. The only cost to you is the price of groceries, with the result of some very lucky guests who can enjoy a delicious meal without spending a dime. 

All you need to do is to pick out some new recipes that you (or your guests) haven't tried before and there you have it… Winterlicious: DIY style.

The Food

Let's start with the most important part of Winterlicious: DIY Style… the food. Winterlicious is known for its three-course-meals.  If you look through the Winterlicious Prix Fixe Restaurant List and click on any restaurant, you can see the Winterlicious menu. Menus typically consist of three courses — starters, entrées and desserts — with multiple options to choose from. Many restaurants offer at least some choices that are vegetarian.

When you host your own Winterlicious: DIY Style dinner, you may want to pick one starter, entrée and dessert to serve. Make sure you find out if your guests have any allergies or dietary restrictions beforehand.

Winterlicious provides a great opportunity to sample food from other cultures. If you're new to Canada, you can prepare some recipes from back home. Invite friends who haven't tried your culture's food to your Winterlicious: DIY Style dinner. They can enjoy authentic cuisine from across the world; plus, next time, they might host and you can try some of their favourite recipes. 

If you're cooking for family, or friends from your own culture, this can be a great opportunity to make food from another part of the world. You can borrow a cookbook from the library and try making cuisine from a country of your choice. Try cooking Iranian, Italian or Mexican, for example, or even give cooking Canadian a shot.  

If you're comfortable in the kitchen and have the time, you can'try preparing dishes from one of the Winterlicious menus on the Prix Fixe Restaurant List. You can find recipes for those (or similar) dishes online, or in a cookbook from the library.

You can also try making something completely unique. There's a Pokémon cookbook with Pikachu ramen or mashed Meowth potatoes that are sure to wow your guests!

If you prefer a cookbook in a language other than English, the library also has cookbooks in Chinese, French, Italian, Gujarati, Greek, Russian and Spanish (among others).

And if you don't like to fuss in the kitchen, "The Minimalist Entertains" by Mark Bittman has recipes for simple, yet elegant, dinners divided by season. Winter has some wonderful options, from 'A Cocktail Party' on page 194, to 'An Informal Italian Dinner' on Page 214, to a 'A Leisurely Midwinter Dinner' on page 226. 

Ambiance 

There is so much more to a perfect meal than just food, which is why ambiance is a big part of Winterlicious too.

If you want your Winterlicious: DIY Style dinner to feel special, look great and be 'insta-worthy' (when a picture is good enough to be posted on Instagram), you have to set the right atmosphere.

You can get tons of ideas from books at the library. I looked through a few and here are some basic suggestions. 

Simple Stunning Parties at Home by Karen Bussen has a section on ambiance that talks about how to transform everyday spaces. A centerpiece such as a tray of glowing gold candles, can'transform a table. Plus, the author suggests music and decor to go with each themed menu to help transform your Winterlicious: DIY Style and take it to the next level.