Strategic Plan 2012-2015

Growing up in the Jane and Finch community was one of the best things that could have happened to me. The opportunities at my doorstep were just waiting for me to wake up, and go and  get them.

Every Wednesday evening, my brothers, sisters, and the whole community and I could not wait until the Bookmobile came around the corner of Jane and Firgrove so that we could borrow free books, magazines and movies to enjoy.

I discovered that I could use the library to borrow free books, attend free workshops, use the computers for research, or simply find a nice, quiet place to read and work. Toronto Public Library has been my secret little hideout that encouraged me to read and helped open up my imagination and led me to different opportunities.   

Do you remember when you were a child and you said to yourself, “When I grow up I wanna be…” and then you picked your favourite profession, whether it was a fireman, a basketball player or a teacher.

Everyone has dreams, but not everyone takes the right steps to achieve them. We all know that education holds most of the keys to succeeding in life. We need to examine the traits of successful individuals around us and see what lessons we can learn from them in order to get to the top of the mountain.

Whether you are a new immigrant to Toronto, or an older individual who wants to go back and get that college diploma or university degree that you never finished, you must utilize the tools available in our society to guide you and make your path as easy as possible.

You might ask, “What are some of these tools?” The answer first and foremost is the library. The world at your fingertips, the web on your screen, all of the answers available for us, can be accessed from your library.

Toronto is the backbone of the Canadian economy and Torontonians make up the heart of this city. As a city, we must make the most of our potential and help one another so we can reach our goals and continue to prosper. The labour force of Toronto was 1.395MM in 2012 based on an economic survey.

With all of these opportunities, why not try and get the best occupation you can? Through the use of educational tools found at the library, we can go above and beyond our wildest dreams.

If you’re a new graduate coming out of university or college, don’t fret about the daunting prospect of landing a full-time job in your field of choice. Think about how you can use your local library to study for your professional course (CFA, MCAT, LSAT, MBA), read material related to your field, and develop new skills that will have your prospective employer eagerly awaiting your services.

Nowadays, almost everyone uses the internet. What makes learning and education any different from your favourite I-phone app? You can harness the power of technology and the internet at the library to make seemingly insurmountable tasks fun and incredibly rewarding.

For example, immigrants who are new to Canada, as well as other ethnic and minority groups such as women, can utilize some of Toronto’s work-force initiative programs that have been created to aid and assist these very groups. Toronto youth should check out Y.E.S or JVS, which offer many opportunities and connections to the workforce.

I hope you take the time to discover the opportunities available through the library, so you too can be granted the keys to help you succeed. 

Join the Conversation!

Toronto Public Library is developing the Strategic Plan 2012-2015 to help achieve its draft vision:

Toronto Public Library will be recognized as the world’s leading public library, helping make Torontonians smarter, successful and resilient, through excellent and responsive service.

Your feedback is invaluable. Help the library develop this plan for residents of Toronto.

Please have your say by telling us:

1. How the library has helped you find a job?

2. What other job-finding services the library could offer?

Francis Atta is the Founder and Service Director of K.E.Y.S (Knowledge & Effort Yields Success), a motivational speaking company that also provides workshops to inspire people of all ages to never give up. He graduated from George Brown College in the Child and Youth Worker program in 2012. Francis was selected as one of Canada's Top 25 Immigrants of 2012 by Canadian Immigrant Magazine. Follow Francis on Twitter @FrancisAtta.