If there is something that binds everyone together, it is music. Whether it be smooth jazz, classical, rap, pop, or any genre in-between, music shares stories to us all, and can also convey cultural norms. Indigenous people have made indelible marks on the American popular music scene. A fantastic documentary...
Are you curious to learn more about Indigenous issues in Canada and the United States? Do you enjoy documentaries? Check out these recommendations from our collection! All the documentaries listed below had at least one Indigenous person as a producer. Their nation is listed in brackets next to their name....
The Anishinaabemowin Language Collection at Toronto Reference Library March 31 is National Indigenous Languages Day. Initially called National Aboriginal Languages Day, this day was created in 1989 by the Assembly of First Nations and was first celebrated in 1993. The goal of this day is to raise awareness of Indigenous...
A tight-knit community The library is so much more than just books—it's a vibrant community hub where creativity and connection thrive. Across the city, libraries host knit and crochet circles that welcome everyone, from beginners eager to learn to seasoned crafters looking to share their expertise. These gatherings are a...
Back in 2021, we started a conservation project to treat 26 early versions of books, known as dummy books, by Toronto-born illustrator Margaret Bloy Graham. Graham illustrated many beloved children’s books, including Harry the Dirty Dog and other books in that series as well as standalone books. She also wrote...
The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) takes place from September 7-17. While the ongoing SAG-ACTRA strike will certainly impact celebrity promotional appearances, the festival is proceeding with a full lineup of feature films, shorts and documentaries from around the world. Browse the TIFF film program with its many offerings....
August 17 is Marcus Garvey Day in Jamaica. This day has been celebrated in many parts of the world, including Canada. In Toronto, Marcus Garvey is not as widely celebrated or even known, yet he has been profoundly influential worldwide. Who was he and what did he accomplish? Library of...
The contrary and hilarious adventures of Mother Hubbard and her dog have entertained readers for centuries. First published in 1805, The Comic Adventures of Old Mother Hubbard and Her Dog represented a new kind of children’s literature. The nursery rhyme book integrated text with coloured pictures and focused on amusement...
Steampunk is a science fiction subgenre that features advanced versions of 19th century technologies. Think Victorian adventurers, mad scientists and clockwork automata — all covered in a healthy layer of gears. The settings often reflect the British Victorian (1820s–1901) or Edwardian (1901–1914) eras. Steampunk tends to draw on old-fashioned British...
When I was a little girl, my parents would take me to the Toronto Caribbean Carnival parade. Back then, it was called Caribana. As a first generation Canadian, this annual extravaganza was more than a mere festival: it ignited a blazing flame within me, and created an eternal bond to...