Toronto Public Library: Programs & Events

The Toronto Reference Library is turning 30, and we're celebrating by telling your stories. Let us know how this building has affected you, and your story may be included in a commemorative 30th anniversary booklet.

Give us two paragraphs or two pages - whatever it takes to tell your tale. A snazzy Library travel mug could be yours!

Remember, we're asking for stories about the Reference Library at Yonge and Bloor. You can read what others have written already:

I have spent nearly every Thursday since 1992 in the Toronto Reference Library. It has become one of the most important places in my life since I retired in 1986. I'm drawn by the incredible collection of ancient history books.
In 1976 I for the first time crossed the Atlantic and later toured in England. That's when I came across the ancient public baths in the town of Bath and became addicted to Roman ruins. Since then I have toured nearly every country which at some time was Roman. The tours typically last two weeks and before going I research my destination in your library. However, much more important is what I can learn subsequently about what I learned there and that's where the TRL is invaluable. I spend many months enriching my travel experience in your magnificent building. Of course when one researches the Romans one learns much about their neighbours, friends and enemies and the art, sculpture and social and cultural characteristics of all of them. The TRL has been the principal resource I've gone to for this information.
Thank you TRL for enriching my retirement years.

My name is Murrium Zaheer and this is my story -
I arrived from London, UK to Toronto, Canada on July 9th, 2006. I was very eager to make friends as I was very bored. However I was shy and as school still had two months to launch I was scared I would be left alone. I went to the library a few times and a staff member noticed me and we started talking. She advised me to volunteer as part of the Kids @ computers program and I did. Two days later I got a phone-call from the supervisor confirming that I had got the job.
It was so lovely working as part of the library. We got to work with these children who were very curious. I think that the other volunteers were very kind and easy to work with. I made some very valuable friends and learned a lot of stuff about the library. For instance, there are more libraries than Tim Horton's. I met one of the nicest friends I have because of the library. I can't wait to volunteer this year and I have been doing my school work there regularly.

Write to us at yourstories@torontopubliclibrary.ca. Please include your name and contact information, and send your story as a Word document.

For more information, please call Answerline, 393-7131.

The Toronto Public Library Board (the "Library") may use submitted stories in a booklet to be published commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Toronto Reference Library. The booklet will be distributed as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations. A form of the booklet may also appear on the Library's web site. The stories must be the writer's original work, the subject matter must be true, and the writer agrees to have his/her story published.

Any personal information in the story is collected under the authority of the Public Libraries Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This information will only be used for a booklet to be published commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Toronto Reference Library which will be distributed as part of the 30th anniversary celebration of that building and may appear on the Library's web site.

Questions related to the collection of this personal information should be directed to The City Librarian's Office, Toronto Public Library, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M4W 2G8, Telephone: 416-393-7032.