In spite of the economic downturn, 2009 was a banner year in fundraising for the Toronto Public Library Foundation. A record breaking $6 million was raised in support of enhancing the library’s priority programs and services - a true testament to the value the library retains in the lives of Torontonians.
In February, the fourth annual Book Lover’s Ball held on February 12, 2009 was once again a huge success, with more than 600 book lovers in attendance at the Fairmont Royal York. The event raised $358,000 - the most successful year ever for the event.
The Adopt-a-word to Create a Story in-branch campaign in conjunction with Keep Toronto Reading month in April raised over $25,000. The campaign was supported by Margaret Atwood who wrote the original story Persiflage in the Library for the Foundation campaign.
The library’s wildly popular Sun Life Financial Museum + Arts Pass (MAP) program, which gives families the opportunity to explore the best of Toronto’s arts and culture treasures for free, continued to thrive. Sponsor Sun Life Financial generously renewed and increased its support over the next two years.
Through an anonymous donation of $1 million, three essential library services received enhanced support: the Library’s Ready for Reading program, which promotes early literacy; accreditation and skills enhancement materials for newcomers; and multilingual collections.
Thanks to a $3 million bequest from long-time library lover and user Sophia Lucyk, programs supporting early literacy, creativity and writing skills in young children received a boost through the creation of Sophie’s Studio.
In 2009, the American Foundation for Toronto Public Library (AFTPL) also continued to grow both its awareness raising and fundraising efforts. The mission of AFTPL is to promote and support Toronto Public Library, its collections, programs, services and out-reach activities to U.S. librarians, researchers, scholars, collectors and to the general reading public. In 2009, the AFTPL board also welcomed two new members:Justin G. Schiller and Sarah Collins.
Thank you to these and all our other donors for demonstrating such tremendous support for Toronto’s Library and for recognizing how vital it is to the city we live in.
The Book Lover's BallPhoto Credit: Henry Lim
February 12 marked the fourth annual Book Lover’s Ball in support of Toronto Public Library Foundation.
Chef Gordon Ramsay interviewed by restaurateur Peter Oliver at the Appel SalonPhoto credit: Toronto Public Library
Gourmet Chef Gordon Ramsay visited Toronto Reference Library on February 8th, 2009 with a sold-out crowd of 450 people in attendance. The Cookbook Store and Key Porter Books donated a portion of the proceeds to the Foundation.
Persiflage contest winnerKoko, 4, Elmbrook Park Library
To involve children in the creation of the Persiflage in the Library story, children 13 and under were invited to take part in an illustration contest to bring the story to life with their own drawings. Winners were chosen from three age categories: Up to 6 years, 7 to 9 years, and 10 to 13 years.
Friends of Toronto Public Library, North and South ChaptersPhoto credit: Toronto Public Library
In 2009, the cumulative support of the Friends of Toronto Public Library, North and South Chapters reached $1 million. All funds raised by the Friends help support vital library programs such as Leading to Reading and English Can Be Fun.
Sophia Lucyk
In 2009, the Foundation received another installment of an over $3 million gift from the Estate of Sophia Lucyk. Sophia Lucyk was a lifelong library user and generous donor to the Foundation. Ms. Lucyk’s bequest is the most significant cash gift received from an individual in the history of the Library and Foundation and will support innovative early literacy programs and services at the Library.