New to Canada

If you’re new to Toronto, a welcoming place to visit is your local library. During your visit, you can sign up for a free library card, find books, movies, and music in your language, attend free library programs, and even access settlement services. To learn more about the library, check out the welcome document, translated into over 40 languages, for more information.

This July and August, settlement workers will be located in Toronto Public Library (TPL) branches across the city as part of Settlement and Education Partnerships in Toronto (SEPT). This program, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is made available during the summer months. TPL works with various settlement agencies to coordinate the service, and SEPT workers offer one-on-one service and programs in libraries to support newcomers as they adjust to living in their new communities.

There are 14 library branches where you can visit a SEPT settlement worker this summer:

• Barbara Frum
• Black Creek
• Burrows Hall
• Cedarbrae
• Downsview
• Goldhawk Park
• Humber Summit
• Jane/Sheppard
• Malvern
• Maria A. Shchuka
• North York Central Library
• Steeles
• Weston
• York Woods

SEPT workers facilitate access to library resources, such as online tools for learning English, and the Museum + Arts Pass (MAP), which allows library users to visit a number of Toronto museums and other cultural attractions for free. SEPT workers also provide assistance in locating services and resources in the city, to support newcomers with:

• Seeking a place to live
• Getting a job and upgrading skills
• Finding a family doctor and access to health care
• Registering in schools
• Signing up for sports and recreation programs
• Preparing for a citizenship test

Toronto Public Library also offers settlement services year-round with Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP), funded by IRCC. Through LSP, newcomers can access one-on-one information referrals and programs at branches across the city. At this time, there are 14 library branches with LSP:

• Agincourt
  
• Albion
• Bridlewood
• Centennial
• Eatonville
• Fairview
• Flemingdon Park
• Lillian H. Smith
• Mimico Centennial
• Parkdale
• Parliament Street
• Richview
• Thorncliffe
• Toronto Reference Library

It’s vital for every newcomer to feel a sense of belonging and civic engagement. Please come visit a settlement worker at a library this summer! We are here to help. And check out our New to Canada blog for more information about library programs and services.