In this category, we are celebrating children's and young adult books by self-identified LGBTQ2S+ authors and creators. Be sure to join us for a special Pride-themed Reading Challenge discussion on Thursday, May 27 at 5 pm where library staff will discuss this very category and more! The Day You Begin...
There are 100 libraries in Toronto and each branch has it's own character, collection and community. But across all libraries, among the most popular subjects are psychology and self help books (Dewey call number 150-159). Some older books have withstood the test of time being borrowed over and over, and...
This is such a terrific, open category full of reading possibilities. Collaboration is key in a variety of books from anthologies and collections to translations. Books that are co-authored or contain contributions by both an author and illustrator also work. Graphic novels and comics are often created by a team...
You may be wondering: why am I writing about voting rights? We are not close to any elections at the municipal, provincial or federal levels. Well, March 31 marks 61 years since most Indigenous communities living in Canada were granted the right to vote in federal elections. Yes, you read...
There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. Mark Twain Everyone knows that April Fool's Day is a day for playing tricks on friends, coworkers and family. Less well known is Tell a Lie Day that takes place on April 4. It just seems like a week...
What does it mean to be like, or unlike, another person? In a way, it's a silly question. We're all alike: humans share about 99% of our genome with each other. We all sleep, and eat, and breathe oxygen, and feel comfortable at around 21 degrees Celsius. We all like...
TPL's branches may be closed for browsing and reference during the Grey-Lockdown, but there are still ways to explore our Special Collections. The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy has over one hundred books in its Digital Archive, with more coming later this year. Here are a few...
"Ides" refers to a day in the middle of the month, often a day when debts are due. In Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, a soothsayer warns the title character to "beware the Ides of March". He should have paid attention. On that particular March 15 things escalated quickly and Caesar...
I was just an infant when I arrived in Canada. My first home language was Greek, eventually learning English during school. My parents and I practiced our Greek heritage through community events, and I went to Greek classes after school and Saturdays. By university I was living two cultures, two...
Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an American author, lecturer and activist. She spoke publicly in support of workers' rights, birth control, women's suffrage and people with disabilities. She was also: a graduate of Radcliffe College at Harvard University a member of the Socialist Party of America and one of the founders...