Toronto Public Library News & Views November 2006 Local music CDs at Public Library

Fantasy, The Creeping imProVing serVice Nobodies, Ninja High School, Bob Wiseman and Hank at New library hours North York Central Library part of long term on November 4; and Elliott TuneTune inin toto Brood, , vision Shad, The Old Soul and Lal at Malvern Branch to open Toronto Reference Library on an extra day November 18. torontotoronto The North York Central STARTING JANuARY 8, 2007, bands were all part of the Blocks hours of operation are changing label and music collective. at most Toronto Public Library “We’ve actually always branches. Most of the changes wanted to have a show at a are relatively minimal, but they library, and here everything was are the fi rst phase of a long term TunesTunes already arranged for us. I’m vision to expand service hours thrilled,” Blocks founder Steven across the city. Kado told . “We’re looking for feedback “A lot of us grew up around from library patrons,” says Anne engaging youTh Heggum. “It’s one of the the North York library, so it’s Bailey, TPL Director, Branches. many ways we’re meeting our exciting from that angle too.” “We want people to tell us, if Rockin’ out in the Strategic Plan goal of making “It has a great community they could choose, what hours library young people feel welcome at feel to it,” Heggum told the would they like their local the library.” Globe. “I hope…people realize library branch to be open?” Bleeding edge CD Looking like they were in the that this is actually a very Malvern Branch is a big collection gives library library to attend a story time natural thing for the library to winner in this round of changes, patrons opportunity for adults, music lovers from do and will bring a different as it will now be open seven to Tune in to Toronto all over the city and as far away type of patron into the library.” days a week. Toronto Reference Tunes as Kingston and Peterborough, See toronto tuneS page 2… Library gains an extra hour a enjoyed the music of: Final day from Monday to Saturday TWO FREE ROCKIN’ and 12 other locations will now concerts held at Toronto’s two be open an additional day. biggest library branches helped A listing of all branches get the word out about the where the hours are changing is library’s new local music CD available on the library website collection. Featuring music by www.torontopubliclibrary.ca; a hundred-plus of Toronto’s click on “Hours and Locations.” on-the-edge local recording Members of the public looking artists, discs from the new to infl uence the library’s collection are available to vision of library service are anyone with a Toronto Public encouraged to: Library card. • Talk to branch staff “The local music collection • Ask for a Comments form at and concerts are a great way their local library branch for the library to encourage • Send comments via the youth to use library resources,” library website www. comments TPL Youth Rap artist Shad was one of fi ve bands that rocked the Reference Library torontopubliclibrary.ca  Collections Librarian Lisa on November 18. Toronto Tunes Continued from page 1… Blogging the concerts With $40,000 seed money, Heggum developed the local music collection with “The North York Central Library show… “Ok, so, my favourite thing about the night advice from the staff at Toronto local was a blast…The introductions of the was watching young kids respond to NHS music supporter Soundscapes music store bands by tiny little library-loving teens… and Final Fantasy, in particular. Maybe on College Street, west of Bathurst Street. were priceless…And Matt Collins of Ninja this show will serve as that one gig that Beginning with 4 to 17 copies each of Highschool’s skintight caramel-coloured turns them onto something really new — almost 300 titles, the collection will grow, bear costume was, uh, jawdroppingly especially poetic, since it took place in the just as the Toronto music scene continues to squicky… Awesome too was the neon- public library. It really moved me, watching change and grow. lime pamphlet they [the library] were them watch something that I/we might Creeping Nobodies front man Derek distributing called MaKe SomE NoIse!: take for granted in our old age. Nicely done Westerholm encouraged fans to visit the Music Books for Youth.” to all the bands, too.” library, and Great Lakes Swimmer guitarist/ –Globe and Mail music critic Carl Wilson –kid spill on Stillepost.com singer held a small contest on his blog at www.zoilus.com which had audience members coming on “All the folks at the library and the kids stage to share a library memory. “WOW. Like you’re not already my helping out and introducing the bands were Check it out. Log onto heroes. WAY TO GO.” wonderful. And it made me really happy www.torontopubliclibrary.ca and Tune in –batesondodds on Stillepost.com talking to see a pretty wildly diverse group of to Toronto Tunes.  about the library people there...everything from young kids, to older couples, library staff, blocks folks, “I AM EXCITED TO ROCK OUT TO HANK IN show regulars, definitely a huge amount of A LIBRARY!!!!!!” unfamiliar faces, and so on...That kind of –Jeff on Stillepost.com collection of people...??!! that’s amazing. amazing! “…why does north york become cool, –Chuck Skullz on Stillepost.com right after i leave it…” –Kursty on Stillepost.com “I had such a great time at this show. There was such a good vibe at the library. I “does anyone have an extra ticket for me? enjoyed the mixture of people and was please?” happy for a younger audience—people –slowgraffiti on Stillepost.com who might not be able to come to many of the shows in Toronto!! It is really “This was a great show. I think Ninja High exciting that now many local band’s music School frazzled the library workers at the will be available via the Toronto Public event. The expressions on their faces were Library. And it is so inspiring to know priceless.” what young librarian’s are up to these –LonlyVagabond on Stillepost.com days!! good feelings all around.” –Reba Siamese on Stillepost.com Great Lake Swimmers.

The Toronto Public Library Foundation presents

The Book Lover’s Ball Featuring – annual gala fundraiser • Novel inspired fashion show • renowned celebrity chef Michael February 15, 2007 Stadtländer The Liberty Grand • chef Angie McRae and sommelier Stacey Metulynsky from Food Share your love of books, meet a Network’s This Food That Wine favourite author and assist in raising funds • Margaret Atwood via Long Pen from that will go towards developing collections Tokyo and services that promote reading and life • Canada AM’s Seamus O’Reagan as long literacy. Master of Ceremonies Dress in black tie, or a costume inspired For more information and to purchase by a favourite book title or character. tables or tickets visit www.bookloversball.ca or call Karen Fleming 416-397-5977. 

2 Toronto Public Library Shelf Life • November 2006 www.torontopubliclibrary.ca beaches branch commemorated in brief to help her frozen teens thaw out when the work was finished. Heritage branches highlighted Volunteer Fair draws hundreds Congratulations The 2nd annual NYCL Volunteer Giller Contest winners Fair for High School Students Library contest gives patrons a took place on Thursday, chance to pick their favourite Beach November 9 and drew over for the Giller 320 students from high schools Contestants who entered across Toronto. The students Toronto Public Library’s Guess had access to 25 community the Giller contest and guessed agencies that were able to the winner of the 2006 Giller offer volunteer positions to Prize were entered into a draw. help them meet their 40 hours Congratulations to this year’s

Photo by Jon Muldoon, courtesy of Metro News of community involvement winners: Presenting the new heritage plaque for the Beaches Branch of Toronto requirement. Planning for next P.L. Stoddart, Elaine Crookston, Public Library are (l–r) Beaches Branch Head Barbara Weissmann; TPL year’s Fair is already underway. Courtney Chow, Lisa Hart, Director of Branches Anne Bailey; Heritage Toronto Board Chair Peter Monica Donahue, Erol Aydin, Carruthers; City Speaker and Ward 32 Councillor Sandra Bussin; Beaches- Talent show earns $700 David Dunn and Kate Little. East York M.P.P Michael Prue; Beach BIA Chair Neil Macdonald. for United Way On-line winners are Patricia On November 10, library staff Shirlow and Mathieu Le Eleven beautiful heritage buildings are among Toronto got a chance to show off their Francois. Public Library’s 99 branches and the library is working with talent – and at the same time These lucky (and clever) Heritage Toronto to place historic plaques on all of them over the raise money for a great cause. winners each receive a full set next few years. Scattered across the city, these historic buildings The Second Annual Toronto of the short-listed books. The help highlight the library’s legacy. Public Library United Way winning title, Bloodletting and About 75 people were on hand on September 30 when Heritage Talent Show featured a jazz Other Miraculous Cures by Toronto presented a plaque commemorating Beaches Branch. pianist, some bluegrass, karaoke Vincent Lam, was the second Heritage Toronto Board chair Peter Carruthers told those gathered singers, a rock band, a Chinese choice of library patrons. for the presentation, “This city owes much to Toronto Public Library, harp, an er-hu (Chinese violin), Toronto Public Library patrons’ an organization which has not only enriched our minds with books, line dancers and much more. favourite book was De Niro’s but our streetscapes and neighbourhoods with beautiful buildings, Game by Rawi Hage. often designed by some of this city’s finest architects.” Beaches-East York M.P.P Michael Prue attended the The library meets presentation, as did City Speaker Sandra Bussin, who presented indie culture a scroll from Mayor David Miller and members of Toronto Library visits Canzine, City Council congratulating Canada’s largest zine fair and Beaches Branch for its festival of alternative culture architecture and its influence Toronto Public Library Continuing its work to in the community over the past buildings on the build quality collections and 90 years. Inventory of Heritage contribute to Toronto’s literary “Heritage Toronto and TPL Properties culture, Toronto Public Library share a deep commitment to Albion made beautiful joined thousands of people who treasure and to celebrate the Annette Street, 145 Annette St. Albion Branch received a passed through the beautiful stories of this city’s people and Beaches, 2161 Queen St. E. Neighbourhood Beautification Gladstone Hotel on October places,” remarked TPL Director Bloor/Gladstone, Grant from the City of Toronto 29 for the 2006 Canzine of Branches Anne Bailey at the 1101 Bloor St. W. to landscape the flowerbeds Festival, hosted by Broken Pencil Beaches presentation. “TPL is Dufferin/St. Clair, at the front of the library. magazine. Services Specialist proud to be partnering with 1625 Dufferin St. The planting is to be done by and Toronto Reference Library Heritage Toronto to create a High Park, 228 Roncesvalles Ave. volunteers in Albion’s Youth youth rep Radmilla Dajkovich- plaque for each of them.” Locke, 3083 Yonge St. Advisory Group, with the Graham was at the library’s A plaque was installed in Parliament Street Library assistance of Sid Baller and booth promoting the Broken November at Riverdale Branch. House, 269 Gerrard St. E. his students from the Humber Pencil zine collection and other Runnymede and Yorkville will Riverdale, 370 Broadview Ave. Arboretum. Unfortunately, library initiatives developed to get plaques in 2007. The City of Runnymede, 2178 Bloor St. W. according to staff, the group bring local culture to Toronto’s Toronto’s Inventory of Heritage Weston, 2 King St. chose the coldest day of the youth and other library patrons. Properties is available online at Wychwood, 1431 Bathurst St. year to plant the first shrubs! Dajkovich-Graham talked http://app.toronto.ca/heritage/ Yorkville, 22 Yorkville Ave. Teen services librarian Nicole to hundreds of people and main.do.  Coker provided hot chocolate SEE in brief PAGE 4…

Answerline: 416-393-7131 November 2006 • Shelf Life Toronto Public Library 3 new & larger in 2008 a large addition to the west high speed internet from 17 In Brief with a two-storey curtain wall to 32 Continued from page 3… Bloor/Gladstone providing a striking street • Four group study rooms. received very positive comments Branch renovation presence and view into the During the closure of Bloor/ about TPL’s efforts to promote library Gladstone, library customers independent publishing in and expansion • Provide complete barrier free can return materials to any Toronto and elsewhere. One-year closure to accessibility to the building Toronto Public Library Branch render rich rewards • Increase the size of the public and pick up holds at Barbara Reid launches meeting spaces Palmerston Branch, new book at Yorkville The year-long closure • Add an environmentally 560 Palmerston Ave, for renovation of Toronto friendly green roof 416-393-7680 or ask staff to Public Library’s Bloor/ • Add extensive outdoor change pick-up location to any Gladstone Branch, beginning landscaping with six large Toronto Public Library branch. December 31, 2006, will result canopy trees During the closure, Bloor/ in an expanded space that The renovation will allow Gladstone patrons may wish supports the library’s strategic for service enhancements, to use: goal of preserving and including: • College/Shaw Branch, maintaining the legacy of our • Expanded collections 766 College Street public buildings so they can • A new User Education Centre 416-393-7668 Renowned artist and author be enjoyed by residents today • A new Discovery Centre for • Lillian H. Smith Branch, Barbara Reid launched her and in the future. children 239 College Street new book, Fox Walked Alone, The extensive renovation • A new Teen Zone 416-393-7746  at the Yorkville Branch of and expansion will: • A new Express Check-out Toronto Public Library on • Expand the library by • An increase in the number of October 4. About 150 people 9,230 square feet, adding public access computers with were in the audience, including children’s authors Celia Lottridge, Kenneth Oppel and Mireille Messier, to name a few. Barbara’s plasticine artwork for her book was on display in October in the Gallery at the Yorkville Branch.

Seán Cullen visits Brookbanks Branch Canadian comedian Seán Cullen (of Corky and the Juice Pigs) was at Brookbanks Branch in October. Cullen read from his recently-published new book, Architectural Rendering: rounthwaite, dick and hadley architects inc & Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd. Hamish X and the Cheese Pirates and had his audience, aged Library Board Highlights percent increase over the 2006 of $7.0 million. The branch will 11–14, enthralled, grossed out, November 2006 approved budget. The Board be closed for approximately giggling and riveted as he took agreed to accept minor service one year. For the duration of on the voices of his characters, Budget reduction reductions of $1.2 million. the closure, staff will deliver as well as the ever-knowing, but The Toronto Public Library programs in space provided at not always trustworthy, narrator. Board reviewed the options Bloor/Gladstone expansion the Dufferin Mall and the New During the Q&A after the for reducing the 2007 The Board awarded a contract to Horizons Seniors Residence. reading, one youngster asked operating base budget request the lowest bidder, Pre-Eng Bookmobile service will Seán what he wanted to be by $2.2 million to achieve Contracting Ltd., for the supplement services provided when he grew up. Seán’s reply: the City Manager’s proposed renovation and expansion of the by other local branches. “A horse.”  budget of $148.8 or a 3.0 Bloor/Gladstone branch, at a cost

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

Volume 6 number 8 416-393-7215 for date & time. Board Contact: Nancy Marshall 416-393-7215. Okeima Lawrence

4 Toronto Public Library Shelf Life • November 2006 www.torontopubliclibrary.ca