Conducting Research at the Library

Toronto Public Library values the use of research to provide evidence for programs and services that meet the needs of the communities we serve. The library has a Research Participation Policy to address your research needs as applicable. Before you contact us, please read the Policy and the information below to find out if we can support you with your research project.

Thank you for considering TPL for your research proposal. Research requests are not being accepted at this time. Please check back later in 2023 to see if we are accepting new requests.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact research@tpl.ca.

General Information for Students

If you are a student looking for information for a course assignment, please review the Research-Related Resources. If you need to get in touch with a library staff to conduct an interview, please download and fill out a Student Interview Request Form (PDF) and submit to research@tpl.ca.

Information for Researchers

TPL's Policy requires us to focus on research that is relevant to our priorities. We have outlined below, the library's current research and strategic priorities.

Research Priorities

Strategic Priorities: 2020-2024

TPL currently has five strategic priorities. Please review these to find out if your research project meets our needs.

• Opening Up Our Public Spaces

  Now more than ever, it has become necessary to have free public access to both physical and virtual spaces in our city. At TPL, we seek to improve accessibility of our physical and virtual spaces to meet the needs of all library users, with particular supports for vulnerable groups such as seniors who need transitioning to virtual spaces. We also support children and youth by providing spaces for learning, literacies, socializing, growth and well-being. Further, we go the extra mile to support people experiencing homelessness, especially in extreme weather conditions.

• Broadening Toronto's Digital Inclusion & Literacy

  From e-commerce to e-government, we now need digital skills and access to the Internet in many aspects of our lives. We face a digital divide with one side lacking in both digital literacy and access to the Internet. That side comprises of vulnerable and marginalized groups, including seniors, youth, newcomers, Indigenous peoples, and low-income residents. The library advances equity and inclusion through initiatives that support increased digital literacy and expanded access to the Internet for these marginalized groups.

• Building Pathways for Workforce Development

  The way we work is changing and, increasingly, more work is being done in a digital and remote environment. The library supports Torontonians in adapting to the changing nature of work by helping them to reskill. We provide access to training and relevant information sources, as well as helping people to explore opportunities in the skilled trades in response to labour shortages.

• Providing the Vital Ingredients for a Democratic Society

  Intellectual freedom is one of TPL's values. This means guaranteeing free exchange of information and ideas in democratic society. However, there is a high potential for misinformation given the myriad and fast exchange of information on the Internet. The library promotes initiatives that consider effective ways to engage our communities in the democratic processes. This requires us to help our customers examine Internet content with a critical eye, and to promote equity and inclusion in the use of Internet algorithms.

• Investing in Library Staff and an Innovative Service Culture

  Our customers expect us to meet their evolving needs. The library is supporting its staff to adapt to evolving customer needs and provide excellent customer service. At TPL we look to identify the emerging needs of our customers and provide them with responsive services given our evolving social environment. We make the best use of our limited resources and adjust staff and patron expectations as we transition to automated services. We are also promoting a self-driven learning culture among our staff, as well as the public.

Further Research Interests

The library is also seeking solutions to address ongoing challenges facing vulnerable communities. These include community supports to address increasing incidents of drug overdoses, supports for individuals experiencing homelessness and unstable housing, and supports for individuals experiencing food insecurity and other impacts of the rising cost of living

Further, we would like to modernize our facilities by exploring ways to improve the operating efficiency of our buildings to meet the latest environmental sustainability standards.

In addition to our best efforts to plan for the future, there will always be emerging issues that need our immediate attention. The COVID-19 pandemic is a perfect example that requires TPL to join hands with the City and the Province to contain the spread of the virus and to manage its impacts. As unpredictable as it is, the pandemic has provided an opportunity to predict the impact of such social disruption on vulnerable populations such as seniors and low-income groups. Increased isolation, limited access to the Internet, and digital illiteracy are some of the emergent areas requiring immediate action.