A library of Wisdom, then, is more precious than all wealth, and all things that are desirable cannot be compared to it.
- Richard de Bury
In 2009, the library's circulation was its highest ever, with over 31.5 million items borrowed throughout the year. Whether it was for study, research or recreation, our excellent collections of books, CDs, DVDs, eBooks and downloadables, magazines, and more continued to respond to the changing needs of our customers, and to the many diverse communities that make up our Toronto.
As the city struggled to recover from a very difficult economic downturn, the library increased its investment in employment and job search resources, with a particular emphasis on helping people with accreditation, employment, language and other settlement-related materials.
We also put particular focus on building our Arts and Performing Arts collections, and significantly expanded our electronic offerings, including research resources, eBooks, and other downloadables.
Customer and child listening to CDPhoto credit: Toronto Public Library
What was popular at the library in 2009? As in past years, we’ve seen an increased interest in books in other formats such as large print books, eBooks and audiobooks. With a wider variety of items more readily available to purchase, we've stocked our shelves with more of what Torontonians want. In 2009, usage of audiobooks on CD increased more than 26%, and graphic novels – particularly adult graphic novels – increased more than 23%.
Customer studying on his laptop at Toronto Reference LibraryPhoto credit: Toronto Public Library
Our free digital content was also extremely popular in 2009. eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMusic and eVideo saw an increase in usage of 88% last year, with bestselling fiction, job search, self-help and language-learning content in high demand. Our electronic resources were also well-used, such as Health & Wellness Resource Centre and online auto repair manuals, or newly added resources such as Scott's Ontario Business Directories and Encyclopédie Découverte (World Book Kids in French).
Two young children reading together at Runnymede BranchPhoto credit: Toronto Public Library
Even as the popularity of online resources continues to grow, customers are still borrowing books. The number of materials borrowed (over 31 million) jumped by 5% from 2008 to 2009, and the use of print by customers represented over 62% of material borrowed overall.
Her Majesty the Empress Michiko of Japan visits the Osborne Collection, July 9, 2009Photo credit: Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library's Special Collections continue to attract praise and attention worldwide. In July, 2009, Her Majesty the Empress Michiko of Japan made a special visit to the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Literature at the Lillian H. Smith Branch where she was given an exclusive tour of the library's reference collection of rare and notable children's books from the 14th century to the present. The Empress has had an interest in the Osborne Collection ever since she read an article by a Japanese children’s author who visited the library after World War II.
Mother and child reading together at S. Walter Stewart BranchPhoto credit: Toronto Public Library
To serve the growing needs of Canada’s most diverse city, Toronto Public Library actively collects materials in over 40 languages, and has collections in over 100 languages. In 2009, with funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, our collections were expanded to assist newcomers with accreditation, employment, language and other settlement related materials.