New to Canada

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.

 

Canadian Citizenship Test preparation - new classes @ your library and more citizenship information

One of my most precious memories of living in Canada has been that very cold winter day when three years ago I became a Canadian citizen. As bloggers for the library's "New to Canada" blog, we often ask ourselves what topics to include in our blog posts for new residents of Canada. In the past two and a half years since this blog has started - the user statistics have shown that the top search question for our blog readers has been about "finding information on the Canadian Citizenship Test and how to prepare for it".

Below you will find information about new dates and locations of Canadian Citizenship test preparation classes at various branches of Toronto Public Library this spring and summer 2012. They are all FREE classes and may require registration.

We will also list for you our previous popular "Citizenship Test" blog posts from the New to Canada blog and other useful library resources.

 
[From the special Citizenship Ceremony held at Toronto Reference Library, Oct. 2011.]

 

CITIZENSHIP TEST PREPARATION CLASSES AT THE LIBRARY:

Need help preparing and studying for the Canadian Citizenship Test? Toronto Public Library offers free Citizenship test preparation classes during this spring and summer 2012. The classes are co-sponsored by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Toronto Public Library and local newcomer agencies. For more information or to register for these free classes, please call or visit the branch you are interested in (the branches are listed below), or call Answerline staff at 416-393-7131.

 

Citizenship test preparation classes in Spring and Summer 2012 are offered by the following library branches this season - Agincourt, Barbara Frum, Bridlewood, Cedarbrae, Goldhawk Park, Malvern, McGregor Park, North York Central Library, Weston, Woodside Square. (Please check with your local library for the latest information in order to be sure that the program is still taking place, as classes may change year to year.)

 

"Citizenship Education Circle" - Citizenship Education Mentoring Circle is a 10-session mentoring program currently offered at four library branches. It covers all topics of the official study guide “Discovering Canada" and provides an excellent learning environment for newcomers to discover and appreciate their country. Locations: Toronto Reference Library, North York Central Library, Lillian H. Smith, Burrows Hall.

 

"Applying for Canadian Citizenship" - a 2-hour workshop at Weston branch on May 15 2012, 1-3pm. Find out if you are eligible for Canadian Citizenship. Get complete information where and how to apply. Get one-on-one assistance with completing application forms (please bring your Permanent Resident Card). Call Weston Branch at 416-394-1016 for more information.

 

USEFUL "NEW TO CANADA" BLOG POSTS ON CITIZENSHIP, BY LIBRARY STAFF:

• "Joyful Citizenship Ceremony at the Library" - Oct. 2011. Did you notice the beautiful red-and-white "O Canada!" cake pictured in this post?
• "At Long Last: The Canadian Citizenship Ceremony" - Mar. 2011.
• "Canadian Citizenship Test: Personal Experiences and Practical Tips" - Feb. 2011. Many readers have commented in this blog post sharing their own experiences with the test.
• "Canadian Citizenship: Application" - Nov. 2010.
• "Canadian Citizenship: Who can apply?" - Oct. 2010.

 

 

 

MORE LIBRARY RESOURCES ABOUT THE CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP TEST:

• Free Online Citizenship Practice Test - to help you prepare for the citizenship test, Toronto Public Library has developed this free sample Citizenship Practice Test  based on the official study guide called "Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship". The test has some questions taken from the guide and questions related to Toronto and Ontario.

• Citizenship Test Preparation Binder - available to use at every Toronto public library branch. It includes information about becoming a Canadian citizen as well as a listing of Canada's political leaders and elected representatives. Ask for it at your local library branch.

• Learning Express Library - a great resource you can find on the Library website. It offers you tests (TOEFL for example) so that you can practice preparing for your next steps in life. There is a sample Canadian Citizenship test included that will help you learn about Canada and prepare for your test. Login with a valid Toronto library card to use it.

• My Canada is another helpful online resource on the library website. It covers a variety of topics about Canada. There are lessons about Canadian history, geography, government, culture and more. You can select a level from beginner, intermediate or advanced. There are even pictures and videos that make learning about Canada fun! Login with a valid Toronto library card to use it.

• Visit the library's Recommended Websites section to check out useful Internet resources related to the citizenship test.

 

Enjoy this 1979 short video by the National Film Board of Canada on the theme of Canada with music from the 1976 Olympics version of "O Canada".  

All the best and good luck with the Citizenship test preparation and becoming a Canadian citizen!

 

 

 

Chinese New Year Celebrations @ Toronto Public Libraries

With only a little over a month into the Year of the Dragon, there is still an exciting and prosperous road ahead of us according to Chinese astrology.

The Dragon symbol signifies success and happiness and is a significant symbol of power. For this reason and many more, Toronto Public Library celebrated with wonderful Lunar New Year programs that have taken place at different library branches.

 

  
On January 21st, Flemingdon Park Branch had a Chinese New Year celebration with a cultural presentation, stories, and performances by Flemingdon Park's Chinese seniors singing and dancing group. Here they are singing and dancing to the spirit of the dragon!

 

Bridlewood Public Library hosted their own celebration of Chinese New Year on January 19th with Tai Chi, Dance, and a fun craft to take home. Volunteer seniors as well as library staff all worked together to create a memorable event.
          
Staff at Bridlewood Library also shared riddles, stories, and refreshments with the audience!

 

               

 

Another library that participated in the festivities was the Gerrard/Ashdale Public Library. Children and adults all created their own lanterns out of red pocket envelopes on January 16th. Stories, cultural significance of Chinese symbols and traditions, as well as refreshments were shared as everyone participated in this fun evening.

 

In yet another one of our busy branches, Lillian H. Smith Public Library also joined in on the wonderful celebration by hosting their grand Chinese New Year program on February 5th. The celebration included a Lion Dancing and Kung Fu demonstration show. There were also dancers and instrumental performers that played various Chinese muscial instruments including the erhu, pipa, ruan, and gu-zheng.

Here's a picture of Mimi, one of the dancers from Toronto Yoga Studio, and a photo of the lion dancers as they are just about to receive their lettuce on the wooden stick!

These photos are only but a few celebrations mentioned throughout all of our 98 library branches. Many of our other library branches also had fantastic Chinese New Year celebrations to welcome the Year of the Dragon.

The Dragon is a major symbol of good fortune in Chinese Astrology and signifies luck. These wonderful celebrations are only the beginning of a prosperous year!

English Can Be Fun: A Free Summer Program for Newcomer Children

It's not too late to sign up! 

The program begins today and runs until July 29th, but there are still spots available!

English Can Be Fun! is free program for newcomer children aged 7-10. It is a program to help children get ready for school in September by learning English through games and activities as well as becoming familiar with using the library.

Classes are held three times a week for 1.5 hours each session at 20 different library branches, listed below. Please inquire at the various locations for more information.

 
Download and print the English Can Be Fun! application form (PDF) 

Don't forget about all our other great books and services for children:

ESL materials for Children in our library catalogue
Hear-a-Story online for children to practice listening skills in English, French, Mandarin, Italian, Polish, and Urdu
Read-along Tumblebooks are great to help Children learn English as they follow along the stories

Dial-a-Story (416-395-5400) is available 24 hours a day and is for children who want to hear stories over the phone. There are stories in English, French, Cantonese, Gujarati, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Tamil, and Urdu.



 
 
 
 

Discover Canada!

Learn more about Canada in the free and fun workshop Discover Canada at Lillian H. Smith Branch on Thursday October 21, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Topics covered include:

• Canada's history, regions, government and politics
• Canada's religions and human rights
• Citizenship application, process, procedures and timelines
• Citizenship test preparation
• and much more

Citizenship test learning materials will be distributed. This workshop is in Mandarin.
For more information and to register, contact 416-977-8325 ext 230 or 647 or the Settlement Worker at 647-404-8857.

 

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.

Buying your first home

Moving to a new country can be a dream come true as well as Buying Your First Home. This free information session is available at Lillian H. Smith Branch on Saturday October 16, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A real estate and mortgage broker will cover topics such as:

• The home-buying decision
• Financing and pre-approval
• Elements of an offer: rice, deposits, terms, conditions, inclusions/exclusions and closing
• Other expenses, taxes, insurance

For more information and to register, please contact the Settlement Worker at 416-393-7746.

Ontario High School Education System

Find out more about the Ontario High School Education System at Lillian H. Smith Branch on Saturday October 2, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Topics covered include:

• Getting ready for High School
• Choosing courses and developing an education plan
• Colleges, universities & apprenticeship information
• Community resources

This free workshop is in Mandarin. For more details, contact the Settlement Worker at 647-404-8857.

 

Canadian Education Savings Program

Find out how to finance your children's post-secondary education and ensure they are debt-free after graduation with the Canadian Education Savings Program information session at Lillian H. Smith Branch on Saturday September 18, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. You will learn:

• How to save through government savings incentives
• How to maximize your benefits
• How the Canada Learning (CLB) works
• How to choose the right RESP

The information session is in Mandarin. For more information, please contact the Settlement Worker at 647-404-8857.

Fun and safe cycling in Toronto

Fun and Safe Cycling in Toronto in a newcomer outreach cycling program that is informative and interactive. The free program is on Saturday August 14, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lillian H. Smith Branch. You will learn about:

• Rules of the road
• Your rights and responsibilities
• Bicycle safety and security
• Cycling in different seasons
• Bicycles and public transit
• Bicycle paths around Toronto

Space is limited, so register in advance by calling 416-588-6288 ext. 229.