TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS AND VIEWS VOLUME 5 • NUMBER 9 • NOVEMBER 2005 Memoirs of a Cover Girl at the Osborne Major donor Jane Dobell uncovers her passion for book collecting

JANE DOBELL captivated her large audience with Memoirs of a Cover Girl, a slide show about her life with books, which took place October 20 at the Osborne Collection. Many know of Jane’s generosity to the library and of her reputation as a connoisseur of children’s books and art. This special Please see Jane Dobell, page 4… TD Gallery show highlights animals in art and literature Guessing the Giller See story page 4… at the Library Reading: the key to the whole story Library readers defy Giller choice and choose Sweetness in the Belly Carrier uses his experience to highlight the importance of reading as the popular pick

IN COLOMBIA, a teacher struggles what everyone must do to ensure the IT WAS a tight race but the 2005 with a major decision: now he’s turned continuity of learning and culture Giller judges picked ’s The 40, should he continue the family from one generation to the next. Time in Between for this year’s Giller tradition and pass on his well-worn copy Just when it seems, he said, “that the Prize. Five great books were up for the of Don Quixote ttoo his eldesteldest child,child, a teenteen tradition is about to be broken — it award – it couldn’t have been easy on whose interests seem only to extend to must be kept on. We are a community, the judges – but interestingly, Toronto slouchy pants and attitude? a chain of readers. This is how ideas Public Library users felt differently Go ahead, his wife tells him. Your pass directly from one generation to than the offi cial judges while voting at son reads more than you think. He another generation. And this is how our 99 branches or through our online spends hours on the computer. we fertilize the time we are living in.” voting booth. The popular winner of the The teacher, not knowing what Carrier, who delivered the 2005 Library’s Guess the Giller contest was to do, not believing that the gift will HarperCollins Lecture at the Toronto Camilla Gibb’s Sweetness in the Belly – a really be appreciated, nevertheless Reference Library in November, full two weeks before the actual winner feels unable to break tradition, and entranced his audience with stories was announced, Gibb’s book jostled for does, indeed, pass on the book. from his own life and his experiences the lead and never gave it up. And that, says author and former in countries around the world, In second place in the Library’s poll national librarian Roch Carrier, is Please see Roch Carrier, page 2… Please see Guess the Giller, page 2… to knowledge and stimulated is through reading. That’s everything,” boggling his Roch Carrier his imagination in ways that the key to the whole world young mind as he wondered Continued from page one… remain with him to this day. — the whole story.” how she had managed to “No kid, born anywhere In a globalized world, learn so much in one day; illustrating the importance in the world, is born where information is the “big Sister Bridget, the teacher of books and reading. poor,” said Carrier. asset, the big richness” he with a decidedly Irish accent In Cambodia, he said, urged everyone — parents, who taught him to read; when Pol Pot took control “Every kid born on this teachers, librarians — to do and his own “little sister” of government buildings, planet is born with an more to help every child gain who taught school, and including the library, access to that knowledge. especially reading, for 35 years, soldiers threw books out the inheritance of world Carrier dedicated his signifi cantly dwarfi ng his own windows. People outside, knowledge, world talk to three women: his accomplishments in the eyes however, picked up those wisdom and world grandmother; who, he said, of their home community. books and buried them in memory — a human spent only one day of her Carrier signed copies of his their gardens for safekeeping life in school, yet “knew latest book, The Flying Canoe. until better times returned. bank inherited In Estonia, after by everyone.” Communism fell, one of the fi rst things citizens did, he “Every kid born on said, was build a new library, this planet is born with saying that, with this act, they an inheritance of world were “burying Communism.” knowledge, world wisdom In his own life, growing up and world memory — a in a home without books, the human bank inherited by gift of an encyclopaedia for everyone. But the only youth, he said, opened doors access to that world bank

Sir William E. Logan and the Geographical Survey of Canada

Collaborative effort archives valuable City Hall Branch staff pose with one Giller winner, Indira Narajn geological and historical materials (from L-R: Tony Pinto, Indira, Neil McDonald and Ana-Maria Costa).

WILLIAM E. Logan, Canada’s fi rst great scientist, travelled Guess the Giller across North America and Wales recording scientifi c in the Library’s Guess the observations, mapping geological resources and wearing out his Continued from page one… Giller contest. Over 1,400 boots. Today, a century and a half later, researchers may retrace website visitors also checked his steps without leaving their desks. was the actual winner, David out our on-line book reviews Toronto Public Library, in a partnership with Library and Bergen’s of the short-listed titles. Over Archives Canada, McGill University Archives, National Library with Joan Barfoot’s Luck and 20 contest entrants won sets of Wales and Natural Resources Canada, now offers online access ’s Alligator ttiedied of all the short-listed titles to many of Logan’s notebooks, journals, maps and publications. for third place. Edeet Ravel’s and anthologies of previous To access Toronto Public Library’s contributions go to William Wall of Light wwasas iinn ffourthourth Giller winners. E. Logan Partnership Project by clicking on the “Library Portals” place. All the titles on the Many thanks to publishers button on the Toronto Public Library website’s homepage short-list saw an immediate Knopf Canada; McClelland & (www.torontopubliclibrary.ca). Original materials have been increase in circulation at the Stewart; Doubleday Canada; digitized and mounted on the website. The material includes Library following the shortlist House of Anansi Press; and detailed journals of Logan’s travels with both professional announcement on October Random House Canada for and personal observations, as well as his charming sketches. 28. The requests for the titles their generous donations. Preservation and Digitization manager Johanna doubled, tripled or, in the case Thanks also to the Scotiabank Wellheiser comments: “This is a wonderful opportunity of Wall of Light, were seven staff for donating to make our Logan materials available online and to times as high. copies of Prize Writing, the repatriate them virtually with these other collections.” Almost 4,000 ballots were 10th Anniversary Collection The site includes links to the partnership’s two Logan websites, entered last month both and for all their help and Written in Stone and Diary of a Rock Star (geared to children). online and in our 99 branches support.

2 Toronto Public Library Shelf Life • October 2005 FOCUS ON Research and Reference Part Two of a series highlighting the Toronto Public Library’s Research and Reference Libraries

IN THE October issue of the music to a Hymn to the Shelf Life, Part One of “Focus United Nations for Kofi e on Research and Reference” Annan’s visit to Canada, her outlined some facts about offi ce turned to Interloan. Toronto Public Library’s Through the Library’s Research and Reference Photography and Digitization libraries and collections. But service, the public can A rare moment in Information Commons – empty chairs just great collections aren’t all we purchase professional before opening. offer; the three Research and reproductions of images. Reference libraries also offer a Canada Post used this service at the Reference Library services. An average of 7,000 variety of centralized services. for their commemorative and, in turn, was an eager visitors each day to the three Our centralized services Audubon stamp. participant in the Performing facilities take full advantage include Answerline, the Arts Lecture Series. The of the collections but also rely library’s quick information Partnerships and Programming same can be said of Albert on our information services, service; IntelliSearch, an in- Readings and performances Schultz of Soulpepper connections with other depth research service that allow Torontonians to live with and many others. libraries Canada-wide and fi nds, packages and delivers culture at the library, explore There is no doubt that our cultural programming. the right information to you ideas or have a dialogue with the services offered by the In the December issue, Shelf for a fee; and the Consumer some of the best-known Toronto Public Library’s Life taktakeses a closercloser looklook at the Health Information Service at names in the country. Alistair three research and reference unique Urban Affairs Branch, Toronto Reference Library. MacLeod, Lt. Governor libraries play a crucial role in a most unusual public library Each year, the Library James Bartleman, Clayton the provision of public library located at Metro Hall. borrows about 5,000 items Ruby, Sandra Shamas and from other libraries for our Anton Kuerti have all recently users and loans 8,000 items appeared to rave audience Renovation of the to other libraries through review. Often our collections Toronto Reference Library Interlibrary Loan, a reciprocal lead to partnerships and resource sharing among programming opportunities. More spacious, user-friendly public space libraries. When the former Mary Lou Fallis researched includes a stage, new study area Governor General needed one of her musical recordings THE RENOVATION of the Toronto Reference Library’s fi rst fl oor has resulted in a more spacious, attractive and user-friendly public space. Due to the removal of some interior walls and an internal wood fence, the united and expanded public space is now more coherent and versatile. Designed by Moriyama & Teshima Architects, the fl oor includes a new public performance stage with state of the art audio visual equipment, fi ve new study rooms, a new home for the Centre for People with Disabilities, expanded public study space and a lounge opening up the library to Yonge Street. The fi rst fl oor is home to a variety of services that include the Information Commons, the main Internet hub of the library. The renovations also included a Digital Design Studio and two computer Learning Centres that offer free public instruction on how to use the Internet, digital information resources, and conduct research on a variety of topics. There are still major program elements on the main fl oor to be incorporated, as well as renovations to the upper fl oors that have been The Library’s new stage offers an up-close and personal deferred until capital funding issues have been resolved. experience with authors and other participants.

October 2005 • Shelf Life Toronto Public Library 3 Library Board books and art Jane had Calendar of Events Highlights spoken of with such Fall 2005 November 2005 affection and delight were on display. Guests were Animals Are Allowed in the New branch planned for struck by the beauty and Library Toronto’s waterfront richness of the show, which On to Jan. 22, 2006 The Board received a report contained such treasures TD Gallery on a possible site for a as a picture of Madeline Toronto Reference Library 789 Yonge Street new branch in the city’s by Ludwig Bemelmans and waterfront area. Discussions a watercolour of Jeremy Animals Are Allowed in the are in progress with Toronto Fisher by Beatrix Potter. To Library Programs: Community Housing to Jane Dobell, book collector. the many notable donations explore the opportunity and hours of work she has Animal Tracks A hands-on stencil workshop of locating the library on contributions to Toronto given to Osborne, Jane for all ages. city-owned railway lands Public Library, spanning added a new dimension Thur., Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. at the corner of Bathurst over 20 years of special on October 20: the wit, Beeton Auditorium, and Fort York Boulevard. gifts, support and volunteer warmth and knowledge Toronto Reference Library help through the Friends of behind the gifts represented Animals in Graphic Art The 2005 the Osborne Collection. in this exhibition have been and the Printed Word operating budget The evening continued revealed as never before, Presented by Barry Kent The Board considered with a reception upstairs and we are all the richer for MacKay, author, wildlife reduction options to at Osborne, where the this evening of discovery. artist, naturalist and animal meet the City Manager’s advocate. Wed. Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. Proposed 2006 Operating Beeton Auditorium, Budget for Toronto Public Animals Are wild and domestic animals, Toronto Reference Library Library. Three minor service mythological creatures reductions totaling $0.369 Allowed in and animals at play. Toys Come Alive! million were approved and The TD Gallery show’s An exhibit the Library The Nutcracker, the steadfast staff were asked to continue images are wide-ranging and Tin Soldier, old-fashioned to seek further savings. (Well, in the TD Gallery stunning in their emotive Dutch dolls, teddy bears and anyway…) and historical value. In Pinocchio are just the begin- Jane Dobell addition to the Quadrupeds ning. Come and see books in Continued from page one… selections, children’s toys and which teacups dive into dish- Continued from page one… pans, brooms haul buckets, charming popup books are rocking horses and plush toys evening, Jane gave us a Whether in the circus or featured in the gallery show, wake up when children go to look at the passion that the zoo, in the fi eld, the alongside a leather postcard sleep in the secret world where has driven her to collect, stream or the air, on a dinner of a horse commiserating toys rule. enjoy and share beautiful, plate or an altar, animals over the slaughter of his Dec. 12-Feb. 18 Osborne Collection of Early rare and unique items, have fascinated humanity brother, a graphic painting of Children’s Books and to become, despite her from its earliest origins. a red fox caught in a leghold Lillian H. Smith branch diffi dence, a book historian Selected from Toronto trap and sequinned animal 239 College Street, 4th fl oor and expert in the fi eld of Public Library’s rare books, costume designs from a Admission free illustrated children’s books. original art and ephemera variety of Canadian theatre Call 416-393-7753 After Jane’s moving speech, collections, the latest show at productions. the Director of Research and the TD Gallery features prints Animals Are Allowed in Check our program guide, Reference, Linda Mackenzie from Audubon’s Quadrupeds the Library continues at the What’s On, visit www.torontopubliclibrary.ca, presented Jane with a (originally intended as a TD Gallery, Toronto or call Answerline 416-393-7131 certifi cate of appreciation in companion volume to Birds Reference Library. for more program information. recognition of Jane’s many of America), and includes (See Calendar for details).

Shelf Life is published 10 times a The Toronto Public Library Board meets Toronto Public Kathy Gallagher Ross year by the Toronto Public Library monthly at 6 p.m., September through Library Board Murthy Ghandikota Board, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto, June, in the Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium, Gillian Mason, Chair Okeima Lawrence Ontario, Canada M4W 2G8. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge William Booth, Vice-Chair Councillor Kyle Rae Marketing & Communications Offi ce: Street, Toronto. Louise Aspin Councillor Karen Stintz 416-393-7117. Meetings are open to the public. Matthew Church Councillor Sylvia Watson Next Board Meeting: Board Contact: Nancy Marshall Councillor Gay Cowbourne Kate Wilson Monday, December 12, 2005. 416-393-7215. Councillor Janet Davis

4 Toronto Public Library Shelf Life • October, 2005