“They're the busiest urban public library system in the world, and the experience shows. TPL just gets it: they host concerts in their stacks... the Toronto Public Library is just really cool. How many cities can say as much about their library system?”
- Suzannah Showler, Torontoist
Toronto Public Library is about so much more than books. In 2009, we opened the doors to culture for many Torontonians in many unique, entertaining and informative ways. We continued to build and expand our Special Collections last year to reflect Toronto’s rich cultural heritage. We also supported city-wide and local cultural expression and built on the library’s role in providing original and accessible cultural programming.
Through our resources, programs, partnerships and public spaces, the library served as both a catalyst for and a gateway to all kinds of cultural and creative experiences. In 2009, we opened a beautiful new state-of-the-art event venue at the Reference Library, again hosted free concerts for young adults "in the stacks" of several of our branches, expanded our Museum+Arts Pass experience to our branches with MAP Family Saturday programming, and continued to present diverse, high quality cultural programming at local branches and as part of a wide variety of city cultural festivals.
Author Austin Clarke and Mayor David Miller at Toronto Book AwardsPhoto credit: Toronto Public Library
For the third time, Toronto Public Library partnered with the City of Toronto to present the Toronto Book Awards. The shortlist was announced at the Toronto Reference Library in September, and all five nominated writers read to a capacity audience at Bloor/Gladstone Branch in early October. On October 15, the awards ceremony was held in the newly opened Appel Salon, where Mayor David Miller presented Austin Clarke with the 2009 Toronto Book Award for his novel More.
The theatrical production of Robin Muller’s The Nightwood, as part of Luminato at the LibraryPhoto credit: Toronto Public Library
Held in June, the theme for the library’s contribution to Luminato Festival of Arts + Creativity was "Bringing the Children's Book to Life." From beautiful picture books to challenging novels for older teens, the events held in branches around the city were all about celebrating the best in Canadian kid-lit. Free programs included mask making and illustration workshops, which all made the stories larger than life! Our special guests included Jeremy Tankard and Marie-Louise Gay, artist Robin Muller and Hiromi Goto.
Black History Month event at the libraryPhoto credit: Toronto Public Library
Through a variety of original and partnered programs, in 2009 the library celebrated the vibrancy and diversity of our neighbourhoods, and the central role our branches play as cornerstones of those communities. In celebration of Aboriginal Week, branches participated in Planet Indigenous, Ojibway story telling, and a local history lecture entitled "Who are the land owners of Toronto?" Branches hosted several inspiring and engaging series such as "Inspired Lives" which allowed audiences to meet people who have overcome adversity to live extraordinary lives.
(l-r) AGO's Matthew Teitelbaum, Mayor David Miller, City Librarian Jane Pyper, David Whyte, Assistant Vice-President of Public Affairs at Sun Life Financial, and Library Board Chair Matthew Church announce the expansion of the MAP program to 99 branches.Photo Credit: Toronto Public Library
The Sun Life Financial Museum + Arts Pass (MAP) program was significantly expanded in 2009. The program, which began as a limited pilot in 2007, was rolled out to all 99 branches last year, offering anyone with a library card the opportunity to borrow a free family pass to many of the city’s top cultural attractions. The expansion also included the addition of two new venues – Casa Loma and the Museum of Inuit Art – bringing the total number of MAP cultural destinations to 18. The program has been a huge success thanks to the support of the Toronto Public Library Foundation.
MAP Family Saturdays at the libraryPhoto credit: Toronto Public Library
Seven Toronto museums participated in MAP Family Saturdays in 2009. Thanks to increased support from program sponsor Sun Life Financial, and the programming contributions of our MAP venue partners, the library was able to bring Toronto’s top cultural institutions to its branches, making it possible for library customers to experience in their neighbourhoods some of what our MAP partners offer every day in their venues. Participants could learn to paint like the Group of Seven with the Art Gallery of Ontario and also discover medieval armour and weapons with Casa Loma’s armour expert.
Journalists Peter Mansbridge and Rex Murphy at the Appel SalonPhoto credit: Toronto Public Library
The Toronto Reference Library was buzzing with activity last year, thanks in part to the opening of the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon in September 2009. This new literary and cultural commons at the heart of the city hosted big name guests such as author Douglas Coupland, opera diva Meesha Breuggergosman, journalists Peter Mansbridge and Rex Murphy, internationally acclaimed architect Jack Diamond, and former Chief of Defense Staff, General Rick Hillier. Check out our YouTube playlist for videos of some of the most prominent visitors we had last year.
Mayor David Miller is joined by Library Board Chair Matthew Church and City Librarian Jane Pyper as he declares April as Keep Toronto Reading Month.Photo credit: Toronto Public Library
Last year, Keep Toronto Reading, the library’s month-long celebration of books and reading, was moved from cold February to the more hospitable month of April. The festival was once again a great hit with Torontonians, as thousands came out over the month to take part in free special events taking place across the city that celebrated the book in all its forms. Mayor David Miller proclaimed April 2009 as Keep Toronto Reading month and also launched the library's second community-wide reading initiative, Keep Toronto Reading One Book. The One Book for 2009 was Loyalty Management by Glen Downie.