Join us in Celebrating Library Settlement Partnerships: October 15-26, 2019
This week, Toronto Public Library (TPL) celebrates Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP), a service offered at 14 library locations through partnership with seven local settlement agencies. This program expands TPL’s newcomer services by providing a dedicated space for multilingual settlement workers to connect with newcomers in our libraries. And every October, we celebrate with LSP Week programs and activities!
We invite you to come celebrate LSP Week with us October 15-26, 2019 by attending special programs offered at nine library branches. Last year’s LSP Week celebrations brought over a thousand people together at 12 events across the city. Events are scheduled to coincide with Canadian Citizenship Week (October 13 to 19, 2019) and Ontario Public Library Week (October 20 to 26, 2019).
Each year, LSP Week programming is centered around a theme. This year’s theme, “Thankfulness,” acknowledges Thanksgiving Day (October 14) which marks the start of LSP Week. The theme of thankfulness gives us an opportunity to reflect upon the things for which we are grateful in Canada and how we can give back to our communities.
This year, with nine libraries offering a variety of activities for all ages, LSP Week 2019 will provide memorable experiences that engage, with cultural music and dance performances, special guest speakers, and much more. Some of the events include:
- Indigenous Hand Drum Circle with Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone at Toronto Reference Library, Thursday October 17, 2 - 3:30 pm
- LSP Week Celebration at Centennial Branch, Friday October 18, 2:30 - 4 pm
- LSP Celebration Day at Agincourt Branch, Friday October 18, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
- Award-winning film Kayak to Klemtu, REEL CANADA film screening and presentation at Fairview Branch, Tuesday October 22, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
- A meditation session led by a Tibetan monk at Parkdale Branch, Saturday October 26, 11 am - 12 pm
LSP provides access to settlement services at Toronto Public Library branches across the city. Meet a settlement worker one on one, or attend a library program. In 2018, over 23,900 newcomers accessed LSP, and over 900 programs were offered. There are currently 14 LSP branches:
- Agincourt Branch
- Albion Branch
- Bridlewood Branch
- Centennial Branch
- Eatonville Branch
- Fairview Branch
- Flemingdon Park Branch
- Lillian H. Smith Branch
- Mimico Centennial Branch
- Parkdale Branch
- Parliament Street Branch
- Richview Branch
- Thorncliffe Branch
- 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. We look forward to seeing you this LSP Week!
Read more about previous years’ LSP celebrations:
- 2018: LSP’s 10th anniversary
- 2017: Celebration 150+
- 2016: Dance from Around the World
- 2015: Music from Around the World
- 2014: Food from Around the World
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