Growing a Reader: Kids' Books, Tips and More

Pokémon GO at Toronto Public Library!

July 18, 2016 | RayL | Comments (73)

Poké-What??

So your child has convinced you to give them your smartphone and to take them to the library. Puzzled by their sudden desire to explore the library, you agree. Your child starts rhyming off Pokémon characters, wanting to visit PokéStops, going to Gyms, and building XP. You are completely baffled and begin yearning for the simpler days of Care Bears, Whiz Kids, and View-Masters.

PokeSpot- North York Central Library  PokeSpot- Bloor Gladstone Library  Bayview Library- PokeSpot

 

What is Pokémon GO?

Officially released yesterday afternoon in Canada, this augmented reality game requires players to use their smartphones to capture Pokémon. To do so, you will need to explore your real-world surroundings. Since your child will be exploring the real world, this is an activity for both paren't/caregiver and child. In the simplest terms, Pokémon GO is a scavenger hunt with a basic battle element. Like many smartphone games, there are in-app purchases. This means users can purchase items with real money to quickly get them further along on their quest. If you don’t want to be surprised by a credit card or debit card bill for in-app purchases, turn off in-app purchases and monitor your child’s usage. 

 

 

Are there Pokémon at the Library?

Probably. If you see one during branch hours, please inform our staff and safely capture it, as we’re not quite sure how to handle a Pokémon infestation. It’s quite possible that you won’t see a Pokémon at your branch today, but you might see one the next time you visit! Visit our branches often! 

Pokemon- Bloor Gladstone Library  Pokemon- Barbara Frum  Pokemon- Toronto Reference Library

Is the Library a PokéStop?

We have received a handful of reports. If you happen to notice one of our branches is a PokéStop, please inform our staff. 

 

Is the Library a Gym?

We have received several reports that some of our library branches are Gyms. If you happen to notice one of our branches is a Gym, please inform our staff. Please remember that although a library branch might be a Pokemon GO gym, it is not a real gym. Please visit Toronto Parks & Recreation for your gym needs. 

 

Toronto Public Library x Pokémon GO

Here is a list of what has been reported to library staff at various branches. This list will be updated as reports trickle in. 

Toronto Public Library Branch Pokémon PokéStop Gym
Agincourt Branch     Yes- July 18/16
Albert Campbell Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
Albion Branch     Yes- July 20/16
Amesbury Park Branch Yes- July 21/16 Yes- July 21/16  
Barbara Frum Branch Yes- July 18/16   Yes- July 18/16
Bayview Branch   Yes- July 18/16  
Beaches Branch   Yes- July 21/16  
Bendale Branch   Yes- July 22/16  
Bloor/Gladstone Branch Yes- July 18/16 Yes- July 18/16  
Brentwood Branch Yes- July 19/16 Yes- July 19/16  
Bridlewood Branch   Yes- July 18/16  
Burrows Hall Branch Yes- July 18/16;   Yes- July 18/16
Cedarbrae Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
Centennial Branch Yes- July 21/16   Yes- July 21/16
City Hall Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
Cliffcrest Branch     Yes- July 22/16
College/Shaw Branch   Yes- July 27/16  
Danforth/Coxwell Branch Yes- July 20/16 Yes- July 20/16  
Davenport Branch   Yes- July 20/16  
Don Mills Branch Yes- July 19/16 Yes- July 19/16  
Downsview Branch   Yes- July 18/16  
Dufferin/St. Clair Branch   Yes- July 27/16  
Eatonville Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
Elmbrook Park Branch   Yes- July 20/16  
Evelyn Gregory Branch     Yes- July 24/16
Fairview Branch   Yes- July 18/16  
Flemingdon Park Branch Yes- Aug 2/16 Yes- Aug 2/16  
Forest Hill Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
Fort York Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
Gerrard/Ashdale Branch   Yes- August 8/16  
Goldhawk Park Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
Guildwood Branch   Yes- July 20/16  
Hillcrest Branch     Yes- July 19/16
Humber Summit Branch   Yes- July 22/16  
Jane/Dundas Branch     Yes- July 19/16
Jane/Sheppard Branch Yes- July 18/16    
Jones Branch   Yes- Aug 2/16  
Leaside Branch   Yes- July 20/16  
Lillian H. Smith Branch     Yes- July 22/16
Locke Branch Yes- July 24/16 Yes- July 24/16  
Main Street Branch Yes- July 19/16 Yes- July 19/16  
Malvern Branch   Yes- July 22/16  
Maria A. Shchuka Branch Yes- July 21/16   Yes- July 21/16
Maryvale Branch     Yes- July 19/16
Mimico Centennial Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
Morningside Branch   Yes- July 25/16  
Mount Dennis Branch   Yes- July 29/16  
New Toronto Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
North York Central Library Yes- July 18/16 Yes- July 18/16  
Northern District Branch     Yes- July 19/16
Oakwood Village Branch     Yes- July 20/16
Pape/Danforth Branch Yes- July 19/16 Yes- July 19/16  
Parkdale Branch Yes- July 19/16 Yes- July 19/16  
Perth/Dupont Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
Pleasant View Branch Yes- July 24/16 Yes- July 24/16  
Port Union Branch   Yes- July 20/16  
Queen/Saulter Branch Yes- July 27/16   Yes- July 27/16
Richview Branch Yes- July 20/16 Yes- July 19/16 Yes- July 19/16
Riverdale Branch Yes- July 20/16 Yes- July 20/16  
Runnymede Branch Yes- July 24/16 Yes- July 24/16  
S. Walter Stewart Branch     Yes- July 20/16
Sanderson Branch Yes- July 25/16 Yes- July 25/16  
Scarborough Civic Centre Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
St. James Town Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
St. Lawrence Branch   Yes- July 22/16  
Steeles Branch   Yes- July 22/16  
Spadina Branch   Yes- July 27/16  
Thorncliffe Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
Toronto Reference Library Yes- July 19/16 Yes- July 19/16  
Woodside Square Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
Wychwood Branch   Yes- July 19/16  
York Woods Branch   Yes- July 19/16  

Updated: August 8/16

 

Poké-Safety!

There have been multiple reports in the media of some real world dangers playing Pokémon Go, so this is an activity for both paren't/caregivers to do with their child. NSPCC has tips and advice for keeping your children safe on Pokemon Go. Consider this as an opportunity to teach your child about safety, using technology, and common sense. Here are some books about safety and internet safety. 

Internet Safety  Safety in Your Neighbourhood  Stranger Safety- Never Go Anywhere With A Stranger  Safety in Public Places

  1. Internet Safety by Lisa M Herrington (Ages: 6-12)
  2. Safety in Your Neighbourhood by Lucia Raatma (Ages: 6-12)
  3. Stranger Safety by Lisa M Herrington (Ages: 6-12)
  4. Safety in Public Places by Lucia Raatma (Ages: 6-12)

 

Pokémon Books and Movies

Here are some titles that’ll catch your little Ash’s interest. While literature purists may view these popular titles with disdain, we believe it’s important that you let your child select titles based on what they are interested in. This will help foster their love of reading. Library cards are free for Pokémon GO players (and non players) who live in Toronto, go to school in Toronto, work in Toronto, or own property in Toronto!

Pokemon Adventures 1  Pokemon X-Y Volume 1  Pokémon - deluxe essential handbook - the need-to-know stats and facts on over 700 Pokémon.  Pokemon Visual Companion- Second Edition

  1. Pokémon Adventures 1 by Hidenori Lusaka (Ages: 9-12)
  2. Pokémon X-Y 1 by Hidenori Lusaka (Ages: 9-12)
  3. Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook by Scholastic Inc. (Ages: 9-12)
  4. Pokémon Visual Companion by Simcha Whitehall (Ages: 9-12)

 

Tweet @torontolibrary or share a photo with us on Facebook or Instagram if you caught a Pokémon in one of our spaces or have won ownership of a TPL PokeGym!

Safe and Happy Hunting!

 

 

Comments

73 thoughts on “Pokémon GO at Toronto Public Library!”

  4. Jane/Sheppard branch had a few Pokemon wandering about. The Reading Sprouts Garden, adjacent to it, is a Pokestop and a Pokegym! Lots of activity here! 🙂

    Reply

  5. Thanks Christie. I’ve updated the blog post to reflect the Pokemon wandering about at Jane/Sheppard Branch. I didn’t add the Reading Sprouts Garden as it’s not tagged to the library. It’ll be a pleasant surprise for Pokemon fans if they can access that PokeStop and PokeGym from Jane/Sheppard Branch.

    Reply

  6. Mimico Centennial is a poke stop. There’s another one in the park across the street as well.
    The library on 11th street in Etobicoke is either a gym or a stop; I’m not sure.

    Reply

  21. Leaside Library is a Pokestop. The community center next door is a gym that has been dominated by team Valor so far. (American game = American spelling of valour) There is also a pretty good mix of pokemon in the area.

    Reply

  23. Excellent blog as always. Now I know what the hype is all about, but that will not encourage me to download it though. I will stay in the real for now and leave the virtual for the younger generation.

    Reply

  37. Maria A. Shchuka library has a Pokegym. I’ve found four Pokemon in the staff areas so far-kitchen, behind the reference desk and at a staff workstation.
    There are Pokestops 50 metres to the east and west of us on Eglinton.

    Reply

  41. Hi TPL,
    I just wanted to highlight something. Your article makes mention of a scenario where children are the target audience. I would argue, and i think Niantic as well that children are not really the target audience here.
    First off, the only Pokemon that have so far been implemented are the original 151 from Pokemon’s inception. Right now there are technically 721 Pokemon.
    Furthermore, children are not in a position to pay for microsanctions as your article mentions as a warning and therefore would make a terrible target audience for a business. Ultimately Millennials make up the VAST bulk of players at the moment. These are the people who grew up with Pokemon (the original 151) and now have the freedom, the money, but not the general responsibility of older adults. I would argue that your article portrays Pokemon Go as a childish endeavor, where it actually is aimed at the 20-30 age range.

    Reply

  53. Just decided to download the app for Pokémon Go and discovered that Pleasant View Branch is a PokeStop! I have captured two Pokémon’s already this afternoon. And an FYI, not a tech person at all, but managed to figure this out.

    Reply

  56. Flemingdon Park library branch (Dennis R. Timbrell Resource Centre) is a PokeStop and Gym. Yes, there are also Pokemon lurking around the area.

    Reply

  57. Why does TPL want us to report if their branches are being used as hotspots?? Are they trying to get the Pokemon developers to remove their branches off their servers? :/
    For the first time in a long time, libraries across the GTA are seeing a higher volume of patrons.

    Reply

  59. More than likely it is the opposite.
    Most branches will likely utilize the Pokemon Go app as an opportunity to attract the younger generations into the branch.
    I would expect to see a lot of these branches hosting “Pokemon Go Meetups” in the near future. This is an excellent tool to draw in the preteen to young adult age groups, and if we’re lucky, draw out some interest in the library as well. (teens especially, being the hardest age group to attract)

    Reply

  67. Eglinton Square Library is a Pokestop…but it’s closed for renovations. If you’re in the mall, however, you can still access the stop close to the library’s entrance.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Ray Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About this Blog

Recent Posts in Growing a Reader: Kids' Books, Tips and More

Categories

Archives