New to Canada

Featured Library Databases for Newcomers to Canada

Toronto Public Library subscribes to many different databases that are FREE to everyone with a valid library card.

These databases have a range of information that can help you with career options, language learning, practice tests, research resources, Canadian topics, and much more.

Electronic databases that we feel are useful for newcomers will be promoted on the Newcomers to Canada landing page.

The featured database of the moment is World Book:



The World Book database includes primary documents, eBooks, videos, learning tools, tutorials, translations, and the ability to hear articles read aloud. It also includes Canadian content for students, adult learners, and newcomer families.

 

 

There are many more databases available for your convenience. The full list can be accessed on the Toronto Public Library website, but here are a select few that you may find useful.

 

More Databases of Interest:

Canada in Context: Articles, videos, audio files, etc. on a range of topics, people, places and events.

Career Cruising: Interactive career guidance resource with in-depth profiles.

Chinese e-Magazines: Full-text magazines. Simplified & traditional characters.

IELTS: Practice tests with answers. Prepare for the International English
Language Testing System exam.

Learning Express Library: Practice tests & answers for all ages. Entrance exams, math, grammar, job search and more.

Mango Language Learning: Learn a new language or improve your English.

My Canada: Lessons and practice tests on Canadian history, geography, government & culture.

TenseBuster: Lessons and practice tests help improve English grammar. Elementary to advanced levels and ESL.

And many more available through our A-Z databases list.

 

Which database have you found useful?

 

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

Library Settlement Partnerships at Toronto Public Libraries

Did you know that there are Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) at the Toronto Public Library?

    
     [Photo Credit: LSP Program Photos from the Library Settlement Partnership Website]

LSPs are newcomer information services that are offered to different communities throughout Ontario. These LSPs provide free assistance with getting a job, learning English, getting a driver's licence, and much more.The service is made possible by a partnership of the settlement sector, public libraries, and Citizen and Immigration Canada.

                

There are 16 different Toronto Public Library branches that have a LSP worker who specializes in one-on-one settlement information and referral, group information sessions, and community outreach provided in a variety of languages. These 16 library branches include:

Within these library branches, there are eight Settlement Agency Partners that offer services and programs. These agencies are listed below, please click on the agency name to access their website.

Library Settlement Partnerships as well as Toronto Public Library continue to offer great programs that are suitable for ESL and Newcomer patrons. Visit the Toronto Public Library website.

Don't forget that we also have materials in other languages. To view the complete list, visit our website.

 

Citizenship, ESL, Educational and Career tests, online and always available.

Learning Express Library is a great resource you can find on the Library website.  It offers you tests so that you can practice preparing for your next steps in life. The online tests score your answers, tell you which were correct or incorrect and then give you the correct answers, so that you can do better next time.      

                                                                                    
Are you improving your English ?  There is a TOIEC test here (Test of International English for Communication) and there is a TOEFL test, so you can practice taking the test. 

Are you planning to become a Canadian citizen ? There is a Canadian Citizenship test that will help you learn about Canada and prepare for your test.

You may have a profession or career that you followed in your home country and you want to qualify in Canada. Or, you may want to start a new career and learn more about it.  The Jobs & Careers tests may help you to do that.  There are tests for:

• nurses and other health fields like radiology technicians, veterinary technicians, dental assistants
• firefighters, police officers including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Aptitude test
• real estate brokers and sales
• postal workers
• electricians, plumbers and much more

All you need to explore Learning Express Library is your library card !

 

 

Custom-made job search

Start your job search with a Custom-Made Job Search workshop at Bridlewood Branch from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Participants will learn about:

• Setting career goals
• Establishing job search strategies
• writing winning resumes
• preparing for job interviews
• and much more

Workshop dates are:
October 20, 2010
October 22, 2010
October 27, 2010
October 28, 2010
October 29, 2010

For more information and to register, contact the Settlement Worker at 416-292-7501 ext.103, 118 or 125.

Language training for financial services

Agincourt Branch is hosting a workshop on Enhanced Language Training for Financial Services on Tuesday October 19, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop addresses the needs of newcomers - focusing on the financial services industry including banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and securities dealers and exchanges. There will be guest speakers from the business and industry.

For more information and to register, contact the Settlement Worker at 647-388-3762.

Understanding Bridging Programs

Bridging programs are designed especially for foreign trained professionals and tradespersons, enabling a smooth transition into the Canadian labour market. Find out more about bridging programs at the free information session Understanding Bridging Programs at Thorncliffe Branch on Friday September 24, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

For more information, contact the Settlement Worker at 416-996-2133.

Employers' Expectations of Newcomers

Find out what your employer expects of you in the free information session on Employers' Expectations of Newcomers at Toronto Reference Library on Wednesday September 22, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Topics covered include:

• What Canadian employers want
• How to bring value to an employer
• What are soft skills
• How to gain Canadian work experience

For more information, contact the Settlement Worker at 416-928-3362 ext. 2165.

Hidden Job Market

Find out what the Hidden Job Market at Toronto Reference Library on Wednesday September 8, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Topics covered include:

• Labour Market trends
• Employers in the Toronto and surrounding areas
• Labour Market Research tools

For more information, contact the Settlement Worker at 416-928-3362 ext 2165.

Land your first job!

A free information session on How to successfully land your first job in Canada is available at Richview Branch on September 8, 2010 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. A guest speaker from Job Start will give information on:

• Orientation to the Canadian labour market
• Mentoring partnership
• Pre-employment services

For more information, and to register, please contact the Settlement Worker at 416-268-3981.