KEEPKEEP TORONTOTORONTO READINGREADING 2008

oneone BOOK Michael Redhill’s Consolation Public Library News & Views January 2008

Toronto Public Library is encouraging everyone in the city KEEPKEEP to read Michael Redhill’s book, Consolation, during February. Besides dramatic TORONTOTORONTO readings from READING2008 Michael Redhill’s READING2008 book, Consolation, the February 4 kickoff of the library’s new Keep Toronto Reading One www.KeepTorontoReading.ca Book initiative Come celebrate the brilliance of the book in all its forms will include music by Mary Lou Fallis. “Mary Lou will be channelling Jenny Lind, the Swedish singer who drove America into a frenzy with her songs in the 1850s,” says Srebotnjak. “Another interesting One Book event is the candlelit dinner with Michael at historic Gibson House.” Help Keep Toronto Reading throughout February The historic connection Celebrate the brilliance of the book — in all its forms! comes from the fact that much of Consolation is set in Toronto Public Library is inviting we’re jumping the gun by holding the Victorian Toronto. As part of everyone in the city to be part of its annual third annual Booklover’s Ball on Thursday, the celebration, a number of festival of books and culture this February, January 31.” exhibits will portray Toronto as as the third annual Keep Toronto Reading A major fund-raising initiative of the it was as both Toronto Reference celebration gets underway. Many of the Toronto Public Library Foundation, and Library and the City of Toronto city’s cultural movers and shakers will be one of the highlights of Keep Toronto Archives will feature exhibits participating in nearly 50 Keep Toronto Reading, the Book Lover’s Ball will take both on location and online. Reading events being held at library place at the lovely Fairmont Royal York “Both the Reference Library and branches and partner locations all over hotel. the City of Toronto Archives hold the city. “It promises to be a brilliant affair the 13 photos taken by Armstrong, “Keep Toronto Reading is bigger and again this year,” says library foundation Beere and Hime in the late 1850s better than ever this year,” according to president Heather Rumball. “Mayor David that inspired Michael Redhill to City Librarian Josephine Bryant. “We’re Miller has said it’s the most desired event write the book,” explains Srebotnjak. holding 47 events in 25 library locations, ticket in the city.” The photos are permanently on and at a variety of partner locations across As well as tried-and-true programs display at the Toronto Archives, and the city. In fact, we didn’t think February combining literature with food, wine, SEE one book , page 2… was long enough to fit in all the fun, so SEE keep toronto reading , page 2…

www.torontopubliclibrary.ca KeepToronto Reading Perspective.” One Book Continued from page 1… The Get Connected stream includes: Continued from page 1… art and fun, Keep Toronto Reading will Black History Month celebrations; PEN are part of a panorama on exhibit feature a couple of new initiatives this year. ’s annual Freedom to Read Week at the Reference Library throughout presentation, this year dubbed Writers February. One book brings lit community Under Siege; Common Denominator: Online, at KeepTorontoReading. together Reading the New Toronto, presented ca, the library will also illuminate The Keep Toronto Reading One by Diaspora Dialogues (see “Spotlight: the historical references made in Book program (see sidebars, page 1 & 2) Dwayne Morgan”); and a special Toronto the book with an annotated virtual spans the entire month of February. celebration of the CBC chapter of Consolation. The library’s Everyone in the city is encouraged to read battle of the books. page-turning technology lets Michael Redhill’s award-winning book, Get Fulfilled will feature the return readers click on key words in the Consolation, which is set in Toronto. of last year’s wildly successful Lit Lunch text to bring up photographs, maps Redhill will be doing a reading, attending series, featuring readings and discussions and notes supplied by librarians. a library book club meeting and signing with literary luminaries including Barry Also online, an interactive map of books. He will also answer questions Callaghan, Paul Quarrington, Guy Gavriel Toronto past and present shows real and discuss his book online via the Kay and Linwood Barclay, to name just a and fictional locations in the book, library’s online book club at bookbuzz. few. Also on the Get Fulfilled bill: Literary and reveals the changing shape of torontopubliclibrary.ca. Buzz, a literary discussion and guided wine the city’s shoreline over time. “Michael is living in France at the tasting; and Think Globally, Eat Locally, The library is also partnering moment,” explains Keep Toronto Reading a discussion about how to reduce your with four Toronto high schools to program director Tina Srebotnjak, “But dinner’s carbon footprint. bring Redhill together with students he will be coming home to Toronto in Finally, Get Perspective invites Toronto to talk about his book. the first week of February, courtesy of lit lovers to explore how books are Each of the high schools will go Random House, to help us launch our adapted into other art forms. Programs on to participate in a different way, One Book events.” include: BookArtBook, an exploration with students doing projects that The other new Keep Toronto Reading of the magical metamorphosis between take innovative approaches to initiative this year is KTR for Kids. art and the book; Books Into Film: The the book. Festivities for kids come courtesy of some Englishman’s Boy, which will include a “One school is doing something fantastic new partnerships between the preview of the upcoming CBC mini- they call ‘storienteering’,” explains library and other cultural organizations series based on Guy Vanderhaeghe’s Srebotnjak. “Students will travel that serve our city. From TVOKids Big acclaimed novel, The Englishman’s Boy; and around the city on foot, searching Backyard, Gisèle will be at seven library Graphically Speaking, a visit with graphic for “haunted” locations — places branches throughout February to spread novel creators Kazu Kibuishi and Kean Soo. enchanted by past events, freighted her love of reading. Other partners “We want everyone in Toronto to get out with narrative, wanting to be told… providing interactive storytelling fun and share good books, good company and The students will use maps to find throughout February include the Ontario good fun,” concludes Srebotnjak. clues and take notes, and then Science Centre, the ROM and the National research the stories to flesh them Film Board of Canada. out and connect them, link them “We want to give families with young with themes to create storylines.” children more of a chance to be a part of In order to stimulate all this the fun,” says Bryant. “And we’re thrilled talk about Consolation, the library to be partnering with such an array has prepared a One Book Reader’s of Toronto’s other important culture Guide, which is available to book providers.” clubs, in libraries and bookstores, and online for those interested in Encore, encore: back by popular discussing the book and its cultural demand and historic ramifications. “The two new Keep Toronto Reading “We’re inviting Torontonians to programs will nicely complement discuss the themes of Consolation,” programs returning after great success says Srebotnjak. “How should last year,” says Srebotnjak. “Among others, a city preserve its past, how do these include our Lit Lunch series and newcomers deal with the shock our PEN Canada Freedom to Read Week and loneliness of leaving home… celebration. the Reader’s Guide is designed to “Our theme this year is Get Lit,” BookArtBook: Motherhood and Procreation, stimulate that sort of discussion.” adds Srebotnjak, “and we’re featuring 2007, Stephanie Kervin, from the Art Under three exciting programming streams: Cover TD Gallery exhibit at Toronto Reference Get Connected, Get Fulfilled and Get Library.

2 Toronto Public Library Shelf Life • January 2008 www.torontopubliclibrary.ca Spotlight on Keep Toronto Reading 2008

Spotlight: Spotlight: Spotlight: Spotlight: Dwayne Morgan Souvankham Jeanne Beker Nicholas Campbell A spoken word artist Thammavongsa Host of FT‑Fashion Critically acclaimed actor since 1993, Morgan is Born in Thailand, Television, Citytv’s most Nicholas Campbell has the founder of Up From Souvankham Thammavongsa widely syndicated show, played everything from The Roots entertainment, was raised in Toronto. with viewers across Canada handsome charismatic promoting artistic She is the author of Small and in over 80 countries leading men to undercover contributions by African Arguments (Pedlar Press, around the world, Beker cops to psychopaths. Born Canadian and urban- 2003), which started off began her career in show in Toronto and raised influenced artists. He has as a series of chapbooks business at the age of 16 in Montreal, Campbell worked with Kardinal printed by the author and and never looked back. studied acting in England. Offishal, Choclair, Jully bound with Elmer’s glue. Besides her FT duties, His portrayal of Dominic Black, K-OS, and Nelly Thammavongsa has also been Jeanne is currently editor- Da Vinci in Da Vinci’s Furtado. Morgan has also featured at Harbourfront’s in-chief for FQ Magazine Inquest, once Canada’s worked with the library Premiere Dance Theatre and and SIR Magazine; a regular most popular dramatic on a number of projects, International Reading Series. featured columnist with series, garnered him three including Young Voices Awards: ReLit Award ; and Gemini nominations. magazine, where, as a guest for excellence in poetry; a monthly style columnist In addition to acting, he editor, Morgan works Alcuin Society citation for for Inside Entertainment is also an accomplished with a teen editorial board excellence in book design. Magazine. She is also filmmaker. Campbell plays to help select poetry for the author of Passion for Shorty McAdoo in the the annual publication. Meet Souvankham Fashion: Careers in Style. CBC TV adaptation of Awards: African Canadian Thammavongsa Awards: Vantage Women The Englishman’s Boy. Achievement Award for February 27, 12:30 p.m. of Originality Award, Award: Gemini for Youth Achievement; at Runnymede Branch awarded to women who Best Performance by an Harry Jerome Award for the final of nine Lit are pioneers in their Actor in a continuing for Excellence in the Lunches presented at chosen field;V ariety leading dramatic role. Arts; Canadian Urban subway accessible library Club Diamond Award. Music Award for Best branches across the city. Meet Nicholas Campbell Spoken Word Recording Meet Jeanne Beker February 26, 6:30 p.m. at (three times!). February 21, 7 p.m. at Toronto Reference Library Yorkville Branch for Books Into Film: Meet Dwayne Morgan for the second of three The Englishman’s Boy, a February 15, 7 p.m. at literary discussion and CBC mini-series preview Palmerston Branch wine tasting programs followed by discussion. for week two of three held at three library weekly Disapora Dialogues branches in Toronto. programs, Common Denominator: Reading the New Toronto.

Visit www.KeepTorontoReading.ca for more information.

Answerline: 416-393-7131 January 2008 • Shelf Life Toronto Public Library 3 i over the prior year. prior overthe percentincrease four a or net) million ($155.674 gross million $169.988 of target budget operating 2008 Manager’s City recommended the meet toorder in $700,000 totalling options reduction approvedalso board The Council.approved City by net),as million ($59.871 gross million $65.726 of budget operating interim 2008 the adopted board The adopted budget operating Interim January 21,2008 Highlights Library Board 4 i keeptoronto reading i KEEP TORONTO READING TORONTO i KEEP

Volume 8 READIN TORONTO KEEP Presented byToronto Public Library Toronto Public Library Shelf Life Shelf Library Public Toronto number 1 N M Toronto, TorontoPublic February25, 2008. ShelfLife ext arketing&Communications B oard O is published 10 times ayear by the ntario,Canada M eeting: L ibrary G 2008

B oard,789 YongeStreet, M 4W2G8. O ffice: 416-393-7117.

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