Toronto Public Library News & Views June 2010 Library celebrates diversity... pg. 2

Library continues to support at-risk youth “It’s about getting involved in the lives of children.”

Ygeopleoun p across the city continue to benefit from library initiatives aimed at supporting youth at risk. Bloor/Gladstone branch hosted the GOOD project from June 14 to 25. A photo-documentation created by Catholic District School Board students from the Transitional Intervention Program for Suspended Students (TIPSS), the GOOD Project set TIPSS students up with digital cameras from December to the end of April while they were participating in Faith and Character Development Workshops. These workshops exposed them to community outreach programs, food banks, homeless shelters, and daily interactions with staff and public in classroom settings and Word Out teen summer reading gives teens a chance to read great books and talk about them online at branches. with other book lovers. Another program aimed at supporting youth at risk in Toronto, called Project GRANT, partners Oakwood Village Library summer reading programs help students of all Continues on page 4… ages maintain literacy levels Word Out Teen Summer Reading and TD Summer Reading Club engage students by making books and reading fun

I n 2009, Toronto Public Library branches piloted the Word Out teen summer reading program. Nearly 2,000 teens signed up online and well over 5,000 unique visitors logged onto the site. “The teens talked on the discussion pages of the Word Out website about books they were reading, books they loved, and books they didn’t love so much, and they asked each other questions about books, writers and writing,” according to library youth advocate Ken Setterington. “And they got the chance to hear from a number of the authors on our Word Out booklist who blogged on the Word Out website.” This year, the online presence, at torontopubliclibrary.ca/wordout, will be enhanced as all branches of the library participate, encouraging teens to read books, discuss them with their (l-r) Jim Aspiotis, Vic Toews and Summer Willan friends – both online and in library branches – and, this year for the first time, make video were on hand at Oakwood Village Branch for reviews of books they love. a Project GRANT initiative aimed at steering Continues on page 3… vulnerable youth away from crime.

TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY Library celebrates city’s diversity Toronto Public Library Asian Heritage Month highlights library’s multicultural supports arts and culture collections and services

York Woods Branch home to Year of Finding Memory, Rabindranath new ‘Arts Hub’ Maharaj read from his new novel The Amazing Absorbing Boy, and Phoebe Trohh ug our resources, Tsang read from her collection of poems, programs, partnerships and public Contents of a Mermaid’s Purse. spaces, the Library serves as both a The evening was capped off with a set catalyst for and a gateway to all kinds of modern Indian dances by the Menaka of cultural and creative experiences. On Thakkar Dancers, and founder Menaka June 29, Mayor David Miller officially Thakkar was in attendance to enjoy the launched the new community Arts Hub celebrations. in the York Woods Branch. The Arts Hub Library branches all across the city is a multi-use space designed to support hosted more than 40 additional programs the artistic talents of the with artists of every description, including community. authors Ruth Ohi, J. Torres, Nurjehan Aziz and Ting-Xing Ye, musicians Gupreet Chana, the Korean Senior Citizens Society of Toronto and an amazing variety of Learn On The Go event dancers, speakers, and crafters, presenting “Tabla Guy” Gurpreet Chana entertained Asian to customers of all ages. brings top academics to Heritage Month celebrants at Amesbury Park Over 240 people were thoroughly Toronto Public Library Branch. entertained and impressed with the Asian Heritage Month program presented by Talks to showcase library’s Trontoo Public Library celebrates Central Library in cooperation extensive digital collections Asian Heritage Month every May, and with the Korean YMCA. Many examples this year the offerings were as widespread of Korean culture were included in the Trontoo Public Library and and as varied as ever, with programs afternoon of fun, from Korean folk songs Yourprof, publisher of a series of audio happening all over the city. to Korean fan dancing and traditional lectures, held the first in a series of Learn On “Asian Heritage Month celebrates dance, to a gayageum (Korean Zither) The Go events at the Lillian H. Smith Branch a broad array of peoples from a wide performance. on June 23. number of places,” says library manager Branch youth participated in To showcase its recent acquisition of of program development Tina Srebotnjak. an interactive henna workshop, a hands-on Yourprof Talks, and highlight its extensive “Library offerings for this celebratory demonstration that decorated youth, while digital collection, the Toronto Public Library month attempt to reach out across as at the same time educating them about the and Yourprof are holding the first of a series many of these peoples and places as history and use of henna. of free events to allow library patrons to hear possible.” And at Amesbury Park Branch, and meet Yourprof speakers. The library’s gala kickoff, held at the celebrations centred around a musical Paul Stevens (Professor and Bram and Bluma Appel Salon at Toronto program featuring “Tabla Guy” Gurpreet Research Chair, Dept. of English, University Reference Library, was a special evening Chana, who entertained a mixed audience of Toronto) will speak on his Yourprof Talk, to celebrate the many heritages of Asian of adults and teens. Chana not only played Winston Churchill’s Military Romanticism. peoples. Library Board member Tina his four tabla drums and sang, but also Jim Lavery (St. Michael’s Hospital and Joint Edan opened the festivities and welcomed talked about the history of these drums. Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto) both guests and the talented artists As always, Asian Heritage Month will speak on his Yourprof series Global and media personalities who made the provides a wonderful opportunity for Health Research. evening special, including CBC journalist Toronto Public Library to highlight its Learn On The Go live events invite Steven D’Souza, who acted as host for the many collections and services geared self-directed learners to listen to, and ask evening. toward our diverse, eclectic and exciting questions of, Yourprof speakers and get to D’Souza introduced the many fine city. know the library’s extensive digital collection. talents who were present, beginning with RBC Foundation is proud to support Toronto Public Library has over 20,000 Rizwan Ahmad, who brought greetings Asian Heritage Month at Toronto Public digital works that include e-books, from our Asian Heritage Month sponsor, Library. audiobooks, and now Yourprof Talks. Library RBC. cardholders can access the digital archives Author Judy Fong Bates read from her from the convenience of their homes.

2 Toronto Public Library Shelf Life • June 2010 torontopubliclibrary.ca Summer reading programs the ongoing support of TD Bank Financial Northern District Branch Continued from page 1… Group, Toronto Public Library’s summer closes for renovations reading program, which has been around Destination Jungle for 15 years, continues to encourage kids Revitalized library to reopen in For pre-teens, the highly successful TD between four and 13 to explore the joy of the fall Summer Reading Club, this year themed reading. around jungle adventure, is gearing Last year in Toronto, 30,637 Nrtherno District Branch up to help primary school children registered for the TD (Ward 16, Eglinton-Lawrence) will close children maintain and Summer Reading Club and 48,835 temporarily for renovations at the end enhance their literacy skills children attended 1,548 programs of the day on Saturday, July 3, 2010, through the award-winning at library branches. reopening in the fall. During the closure program of fun activities “Kids who joined last year period, the community tenant offices and around books and reading. want to come back,” says meeting rooms will not be affected and This year’s TD Summer library children’s advocate meeting rooms will remain available for Reading Club poster was Ken Setterington. “It’s fun to booking. created by Governor Award- do something with friends Until the branch renovations are winning Quebec children’s and discover the pleasures of completed, customers can return library illustrator Stéphane Jorisch. reading.” materials to any Toronto Public Library The Club encourages children, Alan Convery, a TD Bank branch. Customers can visit one of not only to read more, but representative, says the program is good several nearby branches (Deer Park, to strive to get posters and stickers, and to for all kids coast to coast. “One of the best Forest Hill, Locke and Mount Pleasant), complete the Summer Reading Club activity ways to get kids interested in reading is to and pick up holds at Locke Branch. books that can help make their summer get them at an early age. Reading is core to Fall Sunday service will be available at holidays unforgettable. education and kids who read more will study the Deer Park location, until Northern The TD-sponsored program will run in harder in school and get better marks.” District re-opens. most major Canadian cities, and in every one of Toronto’s 99 library branches. Through

Manulife supports the St. James Town community Support helps take early literacy outreach into Toronto’s high-needs neighbourhoods

Since 2007, Manulife Financial has generously donated reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for our a total of $100,000 to Toronto Public Library’s Leading to clients and for the communities where we work,” says Sarah Reading program at St. James Town Branch. Saso, Manulife’s Director of Community Relations. “St. James Leading to Reading is an innovative program that helps Town is the neighbourhood closest to our head office, and develop essential literacy skills in children who need them we have had the privilege of helping build our community for most. As a result of Manulife Financial’s support, the library more than five years.” has been able to provide in-depth reading support to With St. James Town residents coming from more than 100 hundreds of children in the St. James Town community, countries and speaking more than 160 different languages, it enabling them to gain confidence and achieve greater success is important that residents develop literacy skills at a young in school. age. Many residents are new immigrants, and English is often “What’s special about Leading to Reading is the high quality a second or third language; those who struggle with poor of one-to-one literacy support given by trained volunteers,” literacy face numerous barriers to employment. says library children and youth advocate Ken Setterington. “In “With its emphasis on helping to build self-confidence as 2009, at St. James Town, over 60 volunteers contributed over well as literacy,” concludes Saso, “the Toronto Public Library’s 500 hours to the Leading to Reading program.” Leading to Reading program is an ideal partner for Manulife in “Manulife’s approach to corporate social responsibility our goal of building stronger communities.” around the world aligns with our focus on delivering strong,

Your library. Vital to you. Vital to support. Donate to Toronto Public Library Foundation today. tplfoundation.ca

Answerline: 416-393-7131 June 2010 • Shelf Life Toronto Public Library 3 Continued from page 1… page from Continued At-risk youth president JimpresidentAspiotis. communities,”ONGIA added involvedthemtheir in getting and children livesof the in program. the of launch the crime,” of life a Toews at said awaychildrenfrom and youth years.overyouthinner-cityfor20 involved been with has who fromAlbany, specialist New York prevention gang Barrett,a Ronspeakerkeynote “Cook” Strategy.featuredthird The PreventionNational Crime the through project the for funding VicToews, announced who Safety Public of MinisterFederal conferenceMay5,featuredon launch/news media event,a second Division. The 13 and ONGIA from experts with schools local from principals vice- and principals acquaintto designed 15,first, was on April events. GRANTThe Project three recentlyhostedCentre Arts involvementrisks. its and gang of signs the recognizeto community the of members teaches also GRANT improvement.community at aimed activities service volunteerin participate to them regions,enabling surrounding GreaterTorontothe and Area in involved aregangs who in or gangs, joining of risk at are who 18 to seven aged people risk. at are who youth with dealing proactivein be tocommunities encourages project Police The Services. Torontothe of Division 13 Local and (ONGIA) InvestigatorsAssociation Gang the with Branch “It’sinvolved getting about vulnerable steer to is goal “The & Oakwood VillageLibrary young with works GRANT Volume 10 number 6 M N M T T ShelfLife o o e o a ronto, ronto xt rketing&Communications nday,September 20, 2010. B o ard P O is published 10 times ayear by the u n blic tario,Canada M e L eting: i brary B o ard,789 YongeStreet, M 4 W2 O f G fice: 416-393-7121. 8 . by phone at (416) 395-5953, or by email at email by 395-5953,or (416) at phone by Coordinator,Program the contact please Lai,Susan regardinghaveyou anyquestions If Centrerenovation duringEast York Community TodmordenRoom toclose http://beta.torontopubliclibrary.ca/new-to-canada/esl-children.jsp visit branches participating of list a For session.each hours 1.5 for week a twice branches library 25 at library. held are Classes the using with familiar get and activities and games with Your English learn will children September.in school forready get 7-10 newcomerageschildren helps Fun Be Can English Youngfor Program Newcomers Summer Free A branches.Thorncliffe and ,S.Walter Stewart Pape/Danforth,including proximityclose in branches use and holds up pick to able be closed,will customersis TodmordenWhilethe Room construction.the during closehave to will branch the itself, library the in place take will renovationwork no and, centrewhile community the in located is Branch TodmordenLibrary’s Room work.repairToronto Public good of state for 4,2011 January to 6,2010 September from closed be will Centre The Community June 21,2010 Library Board Highlights Website:torontopubliclibrary.ca NancyMarshall 416-393-7215. Meetingsare open to the public. Board Contact: ReferenceLibrary, 789 YongeStreet, Toronto. at6pm, September through June at Toronto The TorontoPublic Library Board meets monthly My na My Hello to six days of service, with 50.5 with service, of days six to fivemovefrom will branches CentennialJane/Sheppard and Bayview,service. of nights four and mornings six week,with per hours 62 moveto will Leaside Parkand Goldhawk service. night Friday and Mondayunavailable morning previously includesweek. This per hours 65.5 open be now will branches Thorncliffe and H.Smith,Richview, Lillian Saturdayhours.toMalvern, Mondaytheir increase branches busiestLibrary’s Public Toronto of nine see will fall this expansions hours open Board’splan,Wide Doors Open Library the contextof the In librarybranches this fall Increasedhours coming tonine English Can Be Fun! Be Can English ple A CouncillorPaul Ainslie Eman Ahmed, Vice-Chair MatthewChurch, Chair L T [email protected] o i brary ronto B P o u ard blic p m

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