New to Canada

Participate in the Many Cultural Festivals - As Toronto Public Library Celebrates Asian Heritage Month!

This year Toronto Public Library celebrates Newcomers and Asian Heritage Month with the whole package, featuring storytellers, authors, chefs, dancers, reporters, artists, drummers, painters, singers, designers and musicians, each bringing us a taste of many exotic cultures right here in our city.

Everything is free so come out and join in the fun at many branches which are proudly hosting mini-festivals. In order not to miss any of the events, you may pick up your Asian Heritage Month Program Guide and Reading List from your nearest branch.

Agincourt Library's "China Homelands Festival" is action-packed for Saturday, May 4, from 10 am-4:30 pm with the following highlights: 

Children's Storytime; A Lion Dance presentation; Chinese Calligraphy; Oriental Food and Tea sampling; "The Chinese in Canada-One Reporter's Odyssey" featuring Jan Wong; Evolution of Chinese food in Toronto, "From Chop Suey to Peaking Duck ..." by Arlene and Leo Chan. 

You may not want to miss the following: Download Agincourt Library 2013_Asian Heritage Month :

Chinese Tea (Pu-Ehr) Workshop (on May 6th @ 6:30pm); the South Asian Cuisine Tasting Table (on May 14th @ 2pm) featuring Toronto's amazing chefs, Karen Johnson & Ronica Sajnan; plus the Asian Seniors Celebration featuring Fok Dancing and Hakka Cooking Demonstration (on May 31st @ 1pm), all of which will be held at Agincourt library. Registration is required as space is limited.

You are encouraged to visit all of our branches mentioned below, and enjoy our free programs:

"Belly Dancing & Japanese Doll Making" at Woodside Square

"Asian Henna & Paper Fan hands-on Crafts" at Bridlewood

Chinese Brush Painting" at Albert Campbell

"Timar-Salek -Persian Indonesian fusion music concert" & "Henna Hand Painting" at College/Shaw

 "Feng Shui and the Environment" at Burrows Hall; 

"Oniroku Puppet Show and Origami" at Danforth/Coxwell

"Japanese Taiko Drumming Concert" at North York Central

"Pan-Asian Celebration -Ghazal, wadoks, mendhi..." at York Woods

"Hula Girls" at Queen/Saulter

"East Indian Family Night Puppet Show" at Long Branch;

"Tai Chi" at Riverdale; 

"Toronto Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir" at Goldhawk Park

"South Asia Homelands" at Cedarbrae; "West Asia Homelands" at Brentwood; "East Asia Homelands" at Malvern; "Pan Asian Food Fusion Festival" at Downsview; "Community Asian Arts Fusion Festival" at Palmerston; "Chinese Cultural Festivals" presented in partnership with Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture, at Riverdale (Brush painting with Dr Lien Chao), Sanderson (photography workshop presented in English and Cantonese by Tam Kam Chiu) and Toronto Reference Library, featuring Michael Cormier in conversation with journalist Jan Wong, discussing his new book, "The Legacy of Tiananmen Square."

This year's Program Guide  has included a Recommended Reading List of some popular Asian authors for all age groups. Here's a selection that would engage you and zap you into another world ...

Adults:

              

 

Teens:

      

 

Children:

     

For more information on this topic click here.

Toronto Public Library hopes that the Asian Heritage Month experience will be an enjoyable and meaningful one for you this year. We would certainly appreciate your feedback as to which programs you have enjoyed the most!

 

Immigrant Diversity Week: Celebrate, Educate, Participate!

 

April 29 to May 3, 2013, is Immigrant Diversity Week!

 

By our guest blogger Winona.

Immigrants bring many skills, talents, experiences, and knowledge to the Canadian workforce!

The Toronto East Quadrant Local Immigration Partnership Employment, Education, and Training Action Group is organizing Immigrant Diversity Week, an awareness week that will focus on the benefits of hiring immigrants and the resources available to newcomers to help them achieve their employment goals.

From Monday April 29 to Friday May 3, 2013, organizations in Scarborough will be hosting a series of free workshops and other programs and events in the Scarborough community to celebrate the many important contributions that immigrants make to the Canadian workforce and economy.

Many of these events will be held at different branches of the Toronto Public Library, and you are invited to attend! 

To register for an event, or to find out more information, please call the library branch where the event is taking place (click on the link to get the branch phone number).

 

Monday April 29, 2013:

• Kick-Off Ceremony with Nicholas Keung, Immigration Reporter, Toronto Star, at Cedarbrae Branch, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Nicholas Keung graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a degree in communications and psychology. Upon his graduation, he immigrated to Canada with his family in 1994.

New to the country, without any social or professional connections, Keung got his first job in Canada at a Mexican fast food restaurant in a food court at Sherway Gardens Shopping Mall. He later was hired by Sing Tao Daily, a Chinese-language newspaper in Toronto, covering the police beat and then Metro Toronto Council. He joined the Toronto Star in 1997 and has been covering the immigration beat for the paper since 2003.

To register for the Kick-Off, call: 416-431-5326 ext. 2404 or contact: lharrison@accesemployment.ca

• Job Interview Workshop for Newcomers at Agincourt Branch, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
• Resource Fair at Eglinton Square Branch, 1:15-4:00 p.m.

 

Tuesday April 30, 2013:

• Brown Bag Lunch for Service Providers at Malvern Branch, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
• Newcomer Seniors Peer Sharing in Mandarin at Bridlewood Branch, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
• Information Fair on Immigrant Services at McGregor Park Branch, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
• Benefits of Self-Employment at Cedarbrae Branch, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
• Panel Discussion and Q&A on Employment Success at Morningside Branch, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

 

Wednesday May 1, 2013:

• Brown Bag Lunch for Service Providers at Albert Campbell Branch, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
• Catholic Crosscultural Services Information Table at Kennedy/Eglinton Branch, 12:30-5:00 p.m.
• Newcomers' Orientation at Steeles Branch, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• Canadian Workplace Culture at Albert Campbell Branch, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
• Resume Workshop at Albert Campbell Branch, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
• Business Communication Circle at Bridlewood Branch, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

 

Thursday May 2, 2013:

• Brown Bag Lunch for Service Providers at Cedarbrae Branch, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
• Resource Information Workshop for Newcomers at Kennedy/Eglinton Branch, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
• Asian Heritage Month Author Visit with Koom Kankesan, Morningside Branch, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

 

Friday May 3, 2013:

• Wrap-Up Celebration, Centennial College, Progress Campus, Fireside Gallery, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (941 Progress Ave.)

 

Below is a complete calendar of events. Click on the calendar to zoom in and take a closer look.

For more information, visit: www.scarboroughlip.ca

LSP Day 2011 and Newcomer Human Libraries @ TPL!

Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) will be hosting an annual celebration of Settlement Workers with Toronto Public Library at all the LSP Branches on Friday October 21, 2011 and Saturday October 22, 2011.

The following branches will be celebrating this day with lots of fun activities including: storytimes, crafts, informative programs, and Newcomer Human Libraries!

 
[Photo credits: www.lsp-peb.ca from 2010 LSP Day]

Check it out!

Friday October 21, 2011
Agincourt Branch from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Albion Branch from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Bloor/Gladstone Branch from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Centennial Branch from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Gerrard/Ashdale Branch from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Yorkwoods Branch from 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday October 22, 2011
Albert Campbell Branch from 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.
Bridlewood Branch from 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Flemingdon Park Branch from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Morningside Branch
Parkdale Branch from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
Parliament Street Branch from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Richview Branch from 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.
Riverdale Branch from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thorncliffe Branch from 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.

 

 
[Photo credits: www.lsp-peb.ca from 2010 LSP Day]

What is a Newcomer Human Library?

The Newcomer Human Library is unique to LSP Day and will be a great event that should not be missed. 

The Newcomer Human Library will include human books that are either recent immigrants or established immigrants in Canada. These individuals are here to share their experiences in Canada with you.

You will be able to sign out a human book and have a one-on-one conversation with this individual in a quiet space inside the library. Human books are multilingual so you will also have the option of selecting a language other than English.

Meet a person with a unique story to tell and discover what it's like to walk in their shoes.

Library branches hosting a Newcomer Human Library are:
Yorkwoods, Parkdale, Thorncliffe, and Centennial Branch.

 

 
 [Photo credits: North Norfolk News and Winnipeg Public Library]


Have you ever checked out a Human Book?
Did you like it? How did it feel? Would you do it again?

Celebrate Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) Day in October 2010!

The Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) program and Settlement Workers provide in person one-on-one assistance to help newcomers with their settlement issues. You are welcome to participate in fun filled activities and celebrate LSP Day at your nearest LSP branch:

• Albion
• Albert Campbell
• Agincourt
• Bloor/Gladstone
• Bridlewood
• Centennial
• Eatonville
• Flemingdon Park
• Gerrard/Ashdale
• Lillian H. Smith
• Mimico
• Morningside
• Parkdale
• Parliament
• Richview
• Riverdale
• Thorncliffe
• Toronto Reference Library
• York Woods

Contact the above branches for more information.

The education system in Canada

Find out how Canada's education system differs from your home country's education system in the free workshop session on the Education System in Canada. The session is on Tuesday October 19, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Albert Campbell Branch. Topics discussed include:

• Credits needed for Secondary School Diploma
• Community volunteer requirements
• Post-secondary education preparation
• Understanding the EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office)

For more information and to register, contact the Settlement Worker at 416-894-2988.

Employment Insurance

Albert Campbell Branch is conducting a free session on Employment Insurance on Thursday October 14, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Newcomers are encouraged to come and receive useful information about:

• Regular benefits, sickness and parental benefits
• Eligibility, application, and processing
• Community assistance

For more information and to register, contact the Settlement Worker at 416-906-3898.

 

Eid

Share and experience the different cultures in Canada and celebrate the Muslim Eid festival at Albert Campbell Branch on Saturday September 25, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come for food, fun, and games:

• Henna
• Face painting
• Storytelling and presentations on Eid Festival

For more information and to register, please contact the branch at 416-393-8890 or the Settlement Worker at 416-906-3898.

Summer Leading to Reading for children who need reading help

Is your child able to listen and talk in English, but needs reading help? 

 

The Toronto Public Library offers a free informal and fun reading practice program this summer.

 

It is for children who are going to be in grades 2 to 6 in September 2010.

 

Your child will be partnered with a volunteer tutor to practise reading/writing skills, enjoy books, and do reading-related games and activities.  

 

Pick up an application form from one of the 37 branches that offer the program and return the completed form to the branch by June 26. The reading sessions will be for one hour per week from July 12 to August 28, 2010. Please note that space is limited.

 

The same library branches also offer the Leading to Reading program during the school year, from October to May. Registration usually takes place in September.

Foreign credentials

Newcomers are encouraged to attend this free workshop on Foreign Credentials at Albert Campbell Branch on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The workshop covers topics such as:

• regulated and non-regulated occupations
• foreign credentials assessment and recognition in Canada
• services available to assist people trained outside of Canada

OSAP - Are you eligible?

One of the newcomer's orientation workshop series at Lillian H. Smith Branch is an information session on Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). As a newcomer, find out if you qualify for OSAP. The information session includes topics such as:

• what is OSAP?
• eligibility and application process
• loan amounts, repayment information and guidelines

The information session is available in Mandarin on Saturday, June 19, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Contact your settlement worker at 647-404-8857 for more details.