Toronto Public Library and CanAge announce strategic partnership to support Canada’s seniors

October 1, 2020 | Media Relations

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In celebration of National Seniors Day and the kick-off to National Library Month, this morning Toronto Public Library (TPL) and CanAge announced a new strategic partnership that will strengthen each organization’s ability to support and serve Canada’s seniors. The partnership was announced by Toronto Public Library’s City Librarian at a national virtual event to celebrate Canada’s 30th Anniversary of National Seniors Day, hosted by CanAge and HelpAge Canada.

By bringing together the leadership and resources of North America’s biggest and busiest public library system, and Canada’s nonpartisan, nonprofit seniors’ advocacy organization, TPL and CanAge will create more opportunities to make Canada more age inclusive, and ensure that Canada’s seniors are able to live vibrant, connected, and meaningful lives with equitable access to the resources they need to thrive.

“The ways in which people are living and aging, particularly in our country’s urban centres, is requiring us to think differently about the library services we need to be delivering, and the ways in which we deliver them,” says City Librarian Vickery Bowles. “It is my hope that CanAge and Toronto Public Library can increase our collective impact to change seniors’ lives for the better. Libraries play a vital role in providing the spaces and services, tools and supports that help build success, resilience and well-being for Canada’s aging population.”

Many of Canada’s aging adults don’t have easy access to free, accessible public spaces and services - both physical and virtual - where they can work, learn, relax and come together with their community. This has become even more acute with the social, economic, climate and technological disruptions we are experiencing today. Without access to these spaces and services, many older Canadians are experiencing a feeling of social isolation and lack of community connection, impacting their resilience and ability to thrive.

“We at CanAge recognize Toronto Public Library as a leader in delivering innovative services, such as digital literacy education and other programs, to older Torontonians of all backgrounds,” says Laura Tamblyn Watts, CanAge president and CEO. “Together, TPL and CanAge will develop more opportunities for older Torontonians to learn, contribute to their communities and build a more age-inclusive city.”

About Toronto Public Library

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system, with more than 46 million annual visits to our branches and online. We empower Torontonians to thrive in the digital age and knowledge economy through easy access to technology, lifelong learning, and diverse cultural and leisure experiences, where, when and how our customers need us. To learn more, visit tpl.ca, email Answerline at [email protected] or follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram and subscribe to email updates.

About CanAge

CanAge Logo

 

CanAge is Canada’s national seniors’ advocacy organization that works to advance the rights and well-being of Canadians as we age. We work collaboratively with nonprofits, corporations, the media, and governments to amplify seniors’ issues, influence policy and effect change. Learn more at canage.ca or contact us at [email protected].

 

 

Media contacts:

Toronto Public Library

[email protected]

CanAge

Michelle Saunders Executive Producer, Media & Content

M: +1 416.414.1872

E: [email protected]

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