New to Canada

For over a decade, Toronto Public Library has served newcomers through Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP), partnering with local settlement agencies and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. This October, we invite you to join us in celebrating LSP Week’s 10th anniversary with a variety of activities at locations across the city.

The annual LSP Week celebration coincides with Canadian Citizenship Week (October 8 to 14, 2018) and Ontario Public Library Week (October 14 to 20, 2018). Last year’s LSP Week brought over 1,100 people together at 12 events across the city. Each year, the events are centered around a common theme. Last year’s theme was Celebration 150+, and previous years have focused on dance, music, and food. This year’s theme, "LSP: 10th anniversary," celebrates the longstanding successful partnership.

Here are a few of the events taking place at Toronto Public Library branches:

• Citizenship Ceremony at Toronto Reference Library, Thursday October 11, 2018, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
• LSP Celebration Week at Agincourt, Friday October 12, 2018, 3:30-6:00 p.m.
• The Whale, REEL CANADA film screening and WWF-Canada presentation at Fairview, Wednesday October 17, 2018, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
• LSP Celebration Week at Centennial, Friday October 19, 2018, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
• LSP Celebration Week at Flemingdon Park, Saturday October 20, 2018, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

With 11 events offering a variety of activities—a citizenship ceremony, cultural dance performances, film screenings, citizenship judges and other guest speakers, and much more—LSP Week 2018 promises to be memorable, and we look forward to celebrating with all of you!

LSP makes settlement services available to newcomers by offering both one-on-one information referrals and programs at Toronto Public Library branches across the city. In 2017, over 23,300 newcomers accessed LSP, and over 950 programs were delivered.

There are currently 14 LSP branches:

Agincourt                                        Lillian H. Smith

Albion                                              Mimico Centennial   

Bridlewood                                     Parkdale

Centennial                                      Parliament Street   

Eatonville                                       Richview   

Fairview                                          Thorncliffe   

Flemingdon Park                          Toronto Reference Library             

Toronto Public Library partners with seven local settlement agencies for LSP:

Catholic Crosscultural Services

Centre for Immigrant and Community Services

CultureLink Settlement and Community Services

Kababayan Multicultural Centre

Rexdale Women's Centre

TNO—The Neighbourhood Organization

YMCA Newcomer Information Centre

Be sure to check our Settling in Toronto page to find more information about LSP and visit our New to Canada blog to learn about library resources for newcomers to Canada.