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?

 

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

The Great Equalizer: Recognition of Library Settlement Partnerships at Toronto Public Library

Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) is a Newcomer Information Service that is made possible by a partnership of the settlement sector, public libraries, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

At Toronto Public Libraries, there are 16 libraries throughout the library system that offer the LSP service. These services include one-on-one settlement information and referral as well as information sessions.

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

Library Settlement Partnership was recently recognized as a good practice in immigrant integration by the Cities of Migration, a website that seeks to improve local integration practice in major immigrant receiving cities worldwide through information sharing and learning exchange.

Cities of Migration showcases good ideas in immigrant integration and promotes innovative practices that create inclusion and urban prosperity.

      

This recognition places us in what is described as "an international showcase of excellence and innovation in urban integretion practice... followed by city leaders, integretion experts and practitioners world-wide".

The Library Settlement Partnership is also featured in their publication: Canada: Good Ideas from Successful Cities: Municipal Leadership in Immigrant Interation (March 2013, p. 18)

The publication offers a comparative look at various Canadian initiatives.

 

For more information about our Library Settlement Partnerships at The Toronto Public Library, have a look at our website or our blog about this essential service.

 

 

Health, Wellness, and Peer Nutrition

Have you ever wanted a litte more information on eating a healthier diet? Toronto Public Library has many resources available to you to find out more! The following is a list of programs, books, blogs, and online resources that you can use to locate information on nutrition, wellness, and healthy eating. Bon Appétit!

                                    [Photo Credit: Easy Living Mom]


Programs (from April - June 2013):

Peer Nutrition Program at Parliament Library from April 4, 2013 - May 16, 2013
Learn to how to shop and prepare healthy food for your family during this six week workshop.

Prevention with Nutrition at Cedarbrae Library from April 6, 2013 - July 6, 2013
Learn the facts about our bodies and how the foods we eat-or not, can adversely affect our health.

Eating Healthy for Adults and Older Adults at Downsview Library on April 18, 2013
Learn about the benefits of healthy eating! Presented by Toronto Public Health

Healthy Eating for Children at Burrows Hall Library on April 30, 2013
A Toronto Public Health Nurse will discuss Canada's Food Guide, how to deal with a picky eater and planning healthy meals.

Protect your Health at Agincourt Library on June 4, 2013 (Program in Mandarin)
Topics will include an overview of heart disease and stroke, rise factors, warnings signs and how to lower your risk by living a healthy lifestyle.

Wellness and Nutrition at Woodside Square Library on June 12, 2013
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Lucille Poulin, will discuss the right food choices and how they can be powerful medicine for the body.

These programs and more are available through our website under Health and Wellness

Books:

Have your library card ready to order some of these suggestions or call your local branch to find out if a title is near you!

        

More books are available through our website under Nutrition for Children

 

Blogs:

Health and Wellness Blog has many posts with valuable information and book suggestions by Toronto Public Library librarians. Some of these blogs include:

Eat Less Sugar to Lose Weight and Be Healthier! by Emoke
Kid-Friendly Food: Nutrition for Children by Carolyn
Have you had your salad today? by Marietta Forster-Haberer
Nutrition and Stress by Marietta Forester-Haberer

[Photo Credit: Healthy Dietitan]

Other related blogs include:

Healthy Eating by Claire Bear
Taking a bite out of meat by The Page Turner
Green up your health by The Page Turner
How does what you eat affect your health? by Cynthia

[Photo Credit: Children's Healthy Food and National Institute of Health]
 

Electronic Resources:

The library also has electronic databases that can help with Health information. Have your library card and PIN number ready (usually the last 2 numbers of your phone number) in order to access these databases. These databases include:

Consumer Health Complete
Health amd medical information                                 
                                                                 
Health & Wellness Resource Center
Academic and personal medical and health information including alternative health approaches.

Natural Standard
The authority on Integrative Medicine.                                          
                                                                                                       
Teen Health and Wellness   
Real life, real answers.

Santé en Français
Health and medical information in French. 



 

 

Celebrate the Year of the Snake in Canada

Sunday February 10, 2013 marks the start of a new year in the Lunar Calendar. 

2013 is the year of the Snake.

    
           [Photo Credit: Chinesenewyearin.com and Wikipedia]

The snake falls into the 12 different Chinese Zodiac signs in astrology.  These signs all have different qualities and characteristics associated with them and the legend of how they came to be can be found in many of our library book collections.

Have a look:

       

 Do you know what the Zodiac order is? Here are the dates and animal signs for the next few years:

Year	Chinese New Year Begins	Animal Sign
2008	February 7	Rat
2009	January 26	Ox
2010	February 14	Tiger
2011	February 3	Rabbit
2012	January 23	Dragon
2013	February 10	Snake
2014	January 31	Horse
2015	February 19	Sheep
2016	February 8	Monkey
2017	January 28	Rooster
2018	February 16	Dog
2019	February 5	Pig

                              [chart taken from: http://www.apples4theteacher.com]

There are many events and festivities happening in celebration of the Lunar New Year in Toronto, Toronto Public Library and City of Toronto have events planned for this week. Take a look to find out more or call our Answerline: 416-393-7131 to inquire.

 

If you are interested in finding out more rituals and traditions of the Lunar New Year, have a look at our other blogs: 

Happy Lunar New Year in Canada

Happy Lunar New Year!

Chinese New Year Celebrations @ Toronto Public Libraries

The Year of the Snake

 

Dial-a-Story During the Winter Season

Are you looking for warm things to do on a cold, wintry day?
Have you heard about Toronto Public Library's Dial-a-Story service?

If you love listening to stories, phone: 416-395-5400, FREE, 24 hours a day, to hear stories recorded in 14 different languages, as well as English.

A full list of languages on Dial-a-Story include:
Cantonese, English, French, Italian, Gujurati, Urdu, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, Russian, Tamil, and our newest addition, Korean.

There are different stories every day and you can choose from stories for younger children (7 and under) and for older children (up to 12).

Experience the magic of storytelling! 

Don't forget to have a look at our other services while you are there:
Hear-a-Story in various languages on our KidsSpace website
Read-a-Story from one of the recommended links
Tell-a-Story with the interactive tool available on our KidsSpace website

And all of the fun programs available for Newcomer children!

Related Blog posts:
Dial-a-Story: A great way to practice listening skills!
Every Day is "Family Literacy Day" at the Library!

Learning English at Toronto Reference Library: The largest ESL collection in Toronto

Did you know that the Toronto Reference Library is home to the largest public collection of ESL (English as a Second Language) materials in Toronto?

 

[A view of the Languages and Literature Department and the Information Desk, 4th floor, Toronto Reference Library. Behind the desk there is a large reference collection of ESL and Languages Learning materials - books and CD/DVD sets that you can browse and "sign-out" to use at the library. Staff at the desk will be happy to help you with all your questions.]

 

While every branch of Toronto Public Library has a smaller ESL collection of materials that can be borrowed, and while many learning materials can be reserved ("placing a hold") through the library website catalogue - the ESL centre at the Toronto Reference Library is by far the largest one in our 98 library branches and offers unique and rich materials for all learning levels.

 

It is located on the 4th floor of the Toronto Reference Library (Bloor/Yonge subway, 789 Yonge Str.) - and is part of the "Languages and Literature Department". You will find there many books, CDs and DVDs on various skills like pronunciation, listening, reading comprehension, grammar, English for work (for a full list of all fourteen categories of languge skills see further below); course books, dictionaries, exam preparation such as TOEFL and IELTS. Some of the materials in the ESL centre can be borrowed to use at home, some are "reference" and can only be used at the library. There are tables equipped with CD and DVD players so that language learners can practice and study with the latest reference materials.

 

If you take the beautiful glass elevator or climb up the stairs to the 4th floor of Toronto Reference Library - you will find helpful staff and a cosy, well-light, welcoming space busy with visitors and learners at any time of day - there are recent immigrants, international students, teachers and many others who regularly use the languages collections and the "A/V desks".

 

[Partial view of the largest ESL collection in Toronto - 4th floor, Toronto Reference Library.]

 IN THIS LARGEST ESL COLLECTION YOU CAN FIND:

• Materials for use IN LIBRARY only (they have location "Audio Desk" in the catalogue).
• Materials that you can TAKE HOME (these are "circulating" books to be borrowed).
• CDs, DVDs, videos and cassettes.
• A selection of ESL books for TEACHERS.

 

The materials on the shelves are organized in fourteen ESL (14) categories to help visitors find and select the appropriate books for their language level and the skills needed, in such a large collection.  

 

These are the fourteen ESL categories:

1. Easy Readers
2. Communication and Life Skills
3. Job-Related English
4. English through pictures
5. Grammar
6. Idioms
7. Writing Skills
8. Pronunciation
9. Reading Improvement
10. Spelling
11. Tests - TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, CAE, MELAB etc.
12. Vocabulary
13. Multi Skills
14. Listening Skills

 

TESTS OF ENGLISH as a FOREIGN LANGUAGE:

If you plan to continue your studies at university, you would need to pass the IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, CAE, or other tests. The ESL centre at the Toronto Reference Library has many books and audiovisual courses (sets of books and CDs/DVDs) to help you prepare for these tests.

 

 [Partial view of the Languages & Literature department with the biggest ESL collection in Toronto. There are A/V desks equipped with CD and DVD players for practicing ESL and other "Languages Learning" materials.]

 

TOURS, ESL READING CIRCLE, LANGUAGES LEARNING, MULTILINGUAL BOOKS

There are other related services offered through the Langages and Literature Department:

• Tours of the ESL Collection and Languages & Literature Department - teachers can call for an appointment at 416-393-7085.

• ESL Reading Circle @ Toronto Reference Library - a free drop-in program at the Beeton Auditorium on selected Fridays, 2-3.30pm. Practice your English by reading with others from great books and sharing your ideas about them. Check on the website or call Anwerline (416-393-7131) for upcoming dates. For this current season the dates are: March 8, March 22, April 5, April 19, 2013.

• Book a Librarian - free personalized appointment with a librarian for 30-60 minutes for research or library information - you can get questions answered at a time convenient to you. For example: how to find ESL materials, books in your language, find citizenship information etc.

• Multilingual collection - the largest in Toronto - the Languages & Literature Department also has books in more than 60 languages - that can be borrowed and used at home (and you can conveniently return them to your closest local TPL branch).

• "Languages Learning" and "French as a Second Language" collections - along with the ESL materials, you can also find "Languages Learning" materials to help you learn and practice many other languages - for example French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Greek, Hungarian, Hindi, Tagalog and many others. Some of those materials you can borrow, some can be used at the library only ("reference").

 

CONTACTS:

The ESL centre (and the Toronto Reference Library) is open Monday to Thursday 9.30 to 8:30; Friday 9:30 to 5:30; Saturday 9:00 to 5:00; Sunday 1:30 to 5:00 (open Sundays from September to June). Call the Information Desk at 416-393-7085 for more information.

    

For more articles about learning "English as a Second Language" at the Library - please read our earlier posts from the New to Canada blog:

• Register for adult ESL classes at the library and much more! - September 2012.

• Improve Your Accent and Pronunciation Skills - December 2010.

• Let's MANGO! Learn a new language or practice your English! - August 2010.

 

 Visit the ESL centre and good luck with your studies!

Celebrating Libraries and Citizenship together this week!

Quite often a person will walk in the library for the first time and would like to register for a free library card just a few days after arriving in Canada. I have seen that indeed Toronto Public Library is one of the first places newcomers visit on their settlement journey in our city.

 

CELEBRATING ONTARIO LIBRARIES AND CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP TOGETHER!

This week - October 15-21, 2012 - we have two wonderful reasons to celebrate Ontario Libraries and Canadian Citizenship!

1. Ontario celebrates Public Library Week with the theme "LIBRARIES CONNECT" - yes, libraries connect and play a valuable role in the life of Canadians. 

2. Canada celebrates Citizenship Week! Having our Canadian Citizenship connects us all to each other as people of a great free country.

 

Image above: "English Can Be Fun" summer program for newcomer children. [credit: TPL]

 

VISIT A SPECIAL LIBRARY EVENT THIS WEEK FOR CITIZENSHIP WEEK!

Toronto Public Library is joining the celebrations with many LSP Day events in the next ten days. What is LSP? Library Settlement Partnerships is a partnership of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, public libraries and local community agencies. Toronto Public Library partners with eight community agencies to provide settlement information and programs at 16 branch libraries.  

For more information on newcomer library services - read our earlier "New to Canada" posts:

• "Library Settlement Partnerships at Toronto Public Library", August 2012.

• "How Can the Library Serve Newcomers Better", September 2012.

• Or visit TPL's Welcome Webpage for Newcomers.

 

CITIZENSHIP JUDGE visits Toronto Reference Library, Friday, October 19, 1-2pm.

Tomorrow, Friday October 19, 2012, 1-2pm - our central Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Str., Yonge/Bloor subway) will host a "LSP Day and Citizenship Week" event - come hear our special guest speakers - the Canadian Citizenship Judge Aris Babikian and a newcomer speaker who works with the YMCA. Light reception will follow. All are welcome.  

To learn more about Canadian Citizenship Test preparation - read our earlies blog posts:

- "Canadian Citizenship Test preparation - @ your library”, April 2012.

• - "Canadian Citizenship Test: Personal Experiences and Practical Tips", Feb 2011.

Image above: Citizenship Ceremony held at Toronto Rerefence Library in October 2011 [credit: TPL].

 

 * * *

MY "PERSONAL CELEBRATION" of Libraries and Citizenship week:

As a librarian in many library branches of Toronto Public Library, I deeply appreciate my work with people who are new to Canada. Maybe because for me too the memories of being a newcomer are still fresh - I arrived eight years ago and had my Citizenship ceremony four years ago. I relate to the thrill, the exciting, the unknown, the long, but full-filling road of settlement. At the library I hear the immigrants'  stories and try to  help share resources, which will enable them to build their new life in Canada. I think people who immigrate to Canada and strive to become Canadian citizens are courageous, strong, passionate and committed.

While writing this blog post for the library's "New to Canada" blog - I counted all the library branches in Toronto that I have had a chance to work "on-call": so I counted 44 branches that I have visited to work, almost half of all of them. This has been my best lesson in getting to know the diverse people and communities of Toronto and I feel really blessed to be where I am. Thank you, Canada!

 

* * *

What are your stories and values of becoming a Canadian citizen and feeling Canadian?  Please join us in this conversation and celebration! Happy Public Library Week, Ontarians. Happy Canadian Citizenship Week, Canada!

How Can the Library Serve Newcomers Better? Please tell us what you think!

Hello readers of the "New to Canada" blog! Toronto Public Library is creating a new strategic plan 2012-2015 for the next four years and we need your help. We would like to ask you - the newcomers to Toronto, Canada - to take a moment and please tell us:

• What library services are most important to you?
• What  could we do to improve our library services for newcomers?

The library is often one of the first places that new immigrants visit in the early days after they arrive in Toronto. Toronto Public Library has been striving to support newcomers all through their process of settlement and living in our vibrant city. Adults, teens and children can all register for a free library card, attend various programs, use computers and Internet (including wireless). Through its branches - the library provides safe and welcoming spaces for people to read, do research, meet people or simply relax.

 

[Library staff and settlement workers celebrate the successful LSP partnerhsip, Toronto Reference Library, 2010.]

 

NEWCOMERS AT THE LIBRARY CAN:

- meet with an LSP settlement worker at the library to get free assistance with information and referrals on finding housing, looking for a job, registering a child at school, joining an ESL class etc.

- borrow materials in their language in addition to the rich collections in English language.

- join an ESL class at the library or an English Conversation Circle, as well as borrow various materials (books, CDs, DVDs) to learn and improve their English language skills.

- borrow books on how to write a resume and cover letter, how to prepare for a job interview; use books and online databases for business and career research. There are also various workshops at the library - you can hear experienced speakers talk about topics such as finding a job, networking, starting a business.

- find information about the Canadian Citizenship Test and join a library Citizenship Test preparation class.

- borrow a free MAP museum family pass with an adult ibrary and visit Toronto's great cultural places.

 

Families with children can find much support at the library and help their kids succeed in school - books for reading at various levels, after-school activities, even a free Dial-a-story phone line with stories in twelve (12) languages. And for the youngest preschool kids and their caregivers - there are storytimes, such as the example in the video below.

 

Watch this short video of a "Story time" at the library. A great place for kids to meet and parents/caregivers to get together.

  

 

These were just some of the examples of library servives that you can use at Toronto Public Library. Find out more about our vision and goals on our Strategic Plan website, and you can fill in our survey online. Your feedback is really important to us, so please take the time to send us your comments and ideas - you can reply to this blog post below as well.

 

You might also find interesting to read this earlier blog post related to the new strategic plan survey: Making Ontario Home: settlement and integration services, Sept 5, 2012 - by Debbie Douglas, director of OCASI: The Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants.

 

Please tell us what you think! What library services are most important to you?

What could we do to improve our library services for newcomers?

Thank You!