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Contact the Foundation
History and Vision
 Toronto
Public Library Foundation was formed in 1997. Its mandate is to raise
resources for the enhancement of collections, technology and programs
of the Toronto Public Library. The Foundation is an autonomous organisation
and, as such, is positioned to receive both endowment and expendable funds
for private sources. (Charitable number is 886554476RR0001)
The Toronto Public Library is committed to developing collections and
services that promote reading and life long literacy. In addition, the
library preserves our collection past, while at the same time customises
services to meet the needs of our diverse communities.
The urgent needs for the Library include: expanding collections, programs
and services, upgrading technology and revitalising branches to respond
the changing needs of the people of Toronto.
The Foundation seeks to help the Library fulfil its needs by offering
donors opportunities to support Library services and programs.
In its short history the Foundation raised over $10 million.
The Foundation offers donors the opportunity to designate pledges to
specific areas of interest in the Library or a designated branch library
or collection.
Contact Information:
Toronto Public Library Foundation
789 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario M4W 2G8
Phone: 416-393-7123
Fax: 416-397-5999
Email: foundation@tpl.toronto.on.ca
Partnership Achievements
The Toronto Star: In March 1999, The Star announced
a $2.5 million gift to expand and refurbish the Newspaper Room at the
Toronto Reference Library, and cover the cost of establishing a new current
events and media gateway.
Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology: In
1998, a grant of $521,000 made the Virtual Reference Library (VRL) possible.
The Virtual Reference Library provides remote online reference and resource
services to library patrons.
ExtendMedia, Cisco Systems, Helios/Oceana and Silicon
Graphics: Also donated $800,000 worth of in-kind support towards
the Virtual Reference Library
Millennium Bureau of Canada: In October 1999,
the bureau announced a grant of $552,000 to TPL. This grant supports the
digitization of Toronto history materials to make them available over
the Internet through the gateway, Historicity.
The project also received support from toronto.com and The Toronto Star.
TD Bank Financial Group: Their support of the
TD Summer Reading Club reaches children all over the province of Ontario.
In 2002, over 150,000 children registered in the club.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: Through
the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture, and Recreation, the foundation
made a milestone gift of $2.6 million to expand and enhance electronic
services. The Library was able to significantly expand Internet access
with 631 new Internet workstations in 85 branch libraries across the City
of Toronto. In addition, the Gates Foundation has funded the creation
of an Information Commons at the Toronto Reference Library and 4 User
Education Centres.
Industry Canada's Urban Community Access Program:
A $1.6 million grant supported expanded Internet service, considerable
outreach to high school students, the creation of a Small Business and
Entrepreneurship Gateway, and the creation of a Digital Design Centre
at the Toronto Reference Library. Some of the funding is being used to
redesign the Library's website.
The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation:
For five years the foundation has generously granted funds to support
the Home Library Service and the Bookmobile. The Foundation also provided
a gift to enhance the large print collections for Mobile Library Service.
The Friends of Toronto Public Library, North and South
Chapters: Since its inception, the Friends has raised funds through
Book Ends and Book Ends South, their used book stores. These funds are
allocated to support children’s literacy programs and other Library
programs.
The Donner Canadian Foundation: The foundation
granted funds to help promote the Osborne Collection of Early Children's
Books through an exhibit on the world of the moveable book at the Toronto
Reference Library in 2002.
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation: The
foundation generously supported the purchase of Library materials on the
subject of the environment in six library branches in the east area of
Toronto.
The Starbucks Coffee Company: The company
initiated a new sponsorship for the Performing Arts Lecture Series held
at the Toronto Reference Library. This popular and award winning program
featured nine outstanding individuals in the performing arts such as Robert
Lantos and Sandra Shamas. Starbucks contribution included speakers’
fees and in kind supports of refreshments for all of the 1,500 participants
during the series.
Updated on: August 4, 2006
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