New to Canada

As Toronto Public Library (TPL) expands in-person services to support Torontonians in Step Three of the Province’s Three Step Roadmap, Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) is gradually bringing back in-person one-on-one appointments at some library branches to assist newcomers on their settlement journey.

LSP is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to provide free settlement support in libraries across the city in partnership with seven local settlement agencies. LSP assists newcomers by providing one-on-one information and referrals, as well as relevant group programs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, LSP has continued to support newcomers online and by phone. As the City of Toronto gradually introduces additional in-person services by following provincial and municipal guidelines, LSP invites customers to make appointments with settlement workers in select TPL branches. To find out which libraries you can visit for LSP assistance, visit the Settling in Toronto page, where you can connect directly with an LSP settlement worker. The page will be updated as more libraries bring back in-person LSP services.

To keep everyone safe, there will be no drop-in service at this time, and appointments need to be scheduled before visiting the library. A number of safety measures are in place: settlement workers are equipped with Personal Protective Equipment, acrylic shields are installed at LSP desks, and equipment and furniture are regularly cleaned. Don’t forget your mask or face covering when you visit us, even if you’re fully vaccinated. If you are not feeling well, please stay home.

This summer, LSP settlement workers will continue to offer online programs. These programs are taking place on a third-party online platform. The settlement workers can help walk you through the steps of using their selected platform carefully. Here are some upcoming programs:

Language Support

Steps to English Fluency and Discover Canada

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
Ongoing, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-5:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Raluca at raluca.costea@ymcagta.org

French Conversation Circle

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Wednesdays, August 4, 11, 18, 25 and September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2021; 3:30-4:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

English Conversation Group: Let’s Speak English

Hosted by LSP partner YMCA Newcomer Information Centre
August 11 & 25 and September 8 & 22, 2021; 3-4 pm
For full details or to register, visit www.newcomersincanada.ca

Health & Wellness

Parks Canada Learn To Camp Workshops (in Mandarin)

Hosted by LSP partner CultureLink
Fridays, July 23 & 30 and August 6 & 13, 2021; 3-4:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Stanley at steo@culturelink.ca

Education

IELTS Preparation Series

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Saturdays, August 7, 14, 21, 28, 2021; 10-11 am
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

Citizenship Test Preparation

Citizenship Test Preparation Sessions

Hosted by LSP partner CCS
Thursdays, August 12, 19, 26, and September 2, 9, 16, 2021; 6:30-8 pm
For full details or to register, contact Wen at 647-388-3762

Online Citizenship Series

Hosted by LSP partner CICS
Fridays, September 10, 17 & 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2021; 5:30-6:30 pm
For full details or to register, contact Zarmeena at zarmeena.khan@cicscanada.com

Please also visit our New to Canada blog to learn more about library resources for newcomers to Canada, as well as our interactive citizenship test, available in both English and French.

This summer, TPL invites families to participate in the TD Summer Reading Club. Kids can join the Club starting on June 14 at their local library branch and participate online all summer. Club participants can read whatever they'd like throughout the summer and earn virtual badges, vote in the Battle of the Books, post reviews, write stories, read and write jokes, participate in weekly trivia, watch author/illustrator readings and workshops and more.

Online resources and programs are always available at tpl.ca. Welcome back, Toronto.

Edited Aug. 17, 1 pm: Added Online Citizenship Series.