Lillian H Smith Blog

Planning your (eco-friendly) wedding

Whether you're recently engaged or already planning your perfect day, have you ever thought of making your wedding "greener"? Planning your wedding from stationery to room decor often leaves a ton of waste behind.  Who says you need to leave a big carbon footprint on your big day when you have more eco-friendly and still beautiful alternatives? 

Environmentally conscious couples are choosing to incorporate eco-friendly alternatives in their wedding to express their earth-friendly values.  Even for those who cringe when taking out the recycling, using greener wedding alternatives can still create the same beautiful wedding you've always imagined and might even be cheaper!

From eco-fashion dresses to locavore catering, there are more green options available today than ever before!  Check out these titles for eco-friendly wedding ideas that feature products and services that can reduce environmental harm while ensuring you still get your perfect day! 

 

           

       

     

Silk Screening: The Return

  Last year we had a very successful Silk Screening program for teens with artist Rob Matejka and we're happy to announce that he's coming back.  On Thursday March 14th at 2:30pm, youth will be able to silk screen designs on reusable bags and take home their creations.  I attended the program last year and it was a very cool program that everyone enjoyed.  Check out this recent interview of Rob Matejka in the local legends section of the Toronto Star, which can be read here.  If you know anyone between the ages of 10-18 that might be interested, have them drop in or call us at 416-393-7746 to register.  Spaces are limited.

Interested in learning more about Silk Screening? Check out the catalogue for more.

 

Photo: Participant displaying her silk-screened reusable bag.  

Home Safe Documentary Series

Two documentaries by SkyWorks will be screened here at Lillian H Smith Branch.  SkyWorks is a non-profit documentary organization that deals with contemporary social issues.  The first film titled Home Safe Toronto reveals how recession and the decline of manufacturing have left families with low wages facing the terrible choice between a roof over their heads and food on the table. Home Safe Hamiltonexamines how laid-off steelworkers, newcomers, and Aboriginal communities are responding to growing poverty and homelessness. Facilitators from SkyWorks will lead discussion following the screenings.

Wednesday February 6, 2013 - Home Safe Toronto

Wednesday February 13, 2013 - Home Safe Hamilton 

Both programs are from 6:30-8 in our meeting rooms in the basement.  No registration is required.

Check out the previews to the two documentaries below.

 

 

*Corrected* - Post originally stated the program was scheduled between 6-8:30pm

Cycling in Cold Weather

Photo Credit: Yodod

For all you cyclists out there......you know it's coming.  Winter is just around the corner and the question is, are you prepared?  If there's any doubt or you feel the need for a refresher, then we've got something for you.  On November 17th, swing by Lillian Smith branch at 2pm for the program Cycling in Cold Weather.  This free workshop will give you the basics on dressing for the weather, safe riding techniques, rules of the road and maintaining your bicycle.  We'll also cover the many reasons to ride, address the obstacles to riding, route selection, and give you all the knowledge you need to get out there.

But if that isn't enough we'll also have Bicycle Maps, Bilingual cycling handbooks and some Bicycle safety goodies.  Light refreshments and translation in Mandarin will also be available.

Our past cycling programs have been well attended so please register in advance, by phone or email:
Stanley Teo, Lillian H. Smith Library, steo@ciclsp.ca, 647-404-8857

This is a free event thanks to generous support from the Law Foundation of Ontario. 

Co-sponsored by Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Toronto Public Library and CultureLink.

Sanderson's Haunted House

I was checking out the program section of Toronto Public Library's website, when I came across Sanderson's Haunted House.  It caught my eye because I have fond memories of attending Bloor/Gladstone's Haunted House many, many years ago as a child.  So if you're in the neighbourhood this Saturday October 27th, it's definitely worth a visit.  The program is from 2-3pm and it promises to be fun, scary and spooky.  Dress up in your favourite costume and make your way down to the basement for some ghoulish fun. 

Covert Affairs

If you've been in the neighbourhood in the last couple of days you may have noticed a film crew on Huron St. right beside the branch.  The TV show Covert Affairs did some filming in and around Lillian Smith Library.  The show stars Piper Perabo and Christopher Gorham and is currently in their 3rd season.  I certainly remember Piper from her appearance in the movie Coyote Ugly but she's been in quite a few movies since then, including Looper which is currently in theatres.  She even found the time to give us a memento.  *special thanks goes to Neil for arranging the autograph.  

Have you made your Nuit Blanche plans yet?

Tomorrow night the 7th annual Scotiabank Nuit Blanche descends upon the city!  From dusk until dawn on September 29^th you can stroll around the city and discover more than 150 contemporary art projects within three zones!

 

Keep updated here for everything you’ll need to know to plan your night. 

 

Make sure to be safe when getting around the city.

 

On the go and want to see what's around you? Download the Scotiabank Nuit Blanche mobile app.

 

If you want to share your events or keep track of them, create a My Night account and personalize your Scotiabank Nuit Blanche experience.

 

Looking for late night eats? Check out the Toronto.com list for ideas!

 

After the dust has settled and your feet have healed you might still be thinking about those installations... check out these title suggestions for more information on public art in theory and practice:

  

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Are you Inspired? Check out the variety of exhibits featuring local artists at 14 TPL branches throughout the city!

Are you an artist? You can also exhibit your art in the Library!

Visit http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/programs-and-classes/exhibits/art-exhibit-space.jsp for more information!

BLOCK LETTERS

As part of the Culture Days programming, we are very happy to be teaming up with Small Print Toronto on Saturday Sep 29, 2012 for BLOCK LETTERS.  Award-winning artist-author Cybele Young along with Chris Reed and Rani Sanderson of Small Print Toronto will be guiding urban explorers, ages 2-8, on a walk around our city block.  They will then create their own books based on their observations.   Cybele Young is the author of A Few Blocks and Ten Birds, the Latter won the 2011 Govenor General award for Children's Illustration.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After poking around on her website it is easy to see that she is a person of many talents.  She even created the art installation at St. Clair Ave W and Deer Park Crescent above the street car stop.  I know I've passed by it a hundred times and had no idea who the artist was.

It should be a fun program, so if you have nothing planned on the Saturday afternoon and want to do something with the little one, it's worth checking out.  All materials will be supplied. Parents and other family members are welcome to accompany their children as we walk around the historic Lillian H. Smith branch and see what fantastical stories spring to mind!

Please call the branch at 416-393-7746 for more information and to register. Space is limited.

免費有線無線网絡電腦學習班 COMPUTER CLUB – In Mandarin

你想學習和掌握一些日常會用到的電腦技能嗎? Come to learn computer@Lillian H. Smith Library

             使用互聯网 (internet)

             建立和管理自己的電子郵件 (email)

             使用多倫多公立圖書館的网上目錄搜尋和預訂中文書刊、電影 Library Catalogue

             如何使用電腦輸入漢字 How to type Chinese

             建立和管理自己的社交网絡賬戶:  Facebook , youtube  ..…等等

             使用筆記本電腦或手机連接到多倫多公共圖書館的無線网絡 (Wi-Fi)

             下載電子書刊和其他多媒体文件 Download e-books

             在网絡上購物或發布廣告和信息 Shopping

10月9日,   16日,  23日,  30日(週二);   午後2時 至 3時

Oct 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, Tuesdays 2-3 pm

Lillian H. Smith Library 圖書館 - 239 College Street 書院街（書院街/士巴丹拿）

 學習班可以以國語/ 廣東話進行.

 Please call 報名或查詢, 請聯絡 416-393-7746 (國語/ 廣東話服務， 請找 Fennie)

 

The Grange Festival

Every year University Settlement organizes the Grange Festival just behind the Art Gallery of Ontario, in Grange park.  Check out who was at our table this year!  Don't be fooled by the expression on my face, I was very excited to see Polkaroo.  Polka Dot Door and Polkaroo have been a staple of children television for decades in Canada.  I certainly remember watching countless episodes as a child and who could forget the theme song.

Truth be told......Polkaroo didn't visit our table at the festival (although that would've been pretty cool if he had).  What happened was, I saw a 7 foot Polkaroo cut-out in the distance and wanted to make my over at some point to snap a photo.  My plans were foiled when it started to rain halfway through the day and I could see someone carting off the cutout to shelter.  By the time I gathered everything he was nowhere to be found.  Luckly for me, if you go to polkaroo.com you can have your photo "polkaroo'd".  It looks like an old CBC contest but still loads of fun.   Overall, the festival is a great community event with lots of entertainment for the family.  There were Spanish dancers, circus performers, stilt walkers and many local community organizations.  It's certainly a good way to spend an afternoon.  Last year at the festival, I managed to snap a photo of a cool cop car from the Toronto Police which appears to be a 1957 Chevrolet 150.  Hopefully we'll see you and Polkaroo at next year's Grange Festival.