The Toronto Public Library

Keeping up with the times, today’s libraries no longer simply provide a service for borrowing books. They are finding new ways to remain a platform for education, the exchange of information, and socialization. A great example is the Toronto Public Library (TPL). The TPL offers free programs in a variety of diverse disciplines.

A BUILDING OF KNOWLEDGE Buying a book from Lagum, Vulkan, Chapters or Book City, then being able to put it on a bookshelf in your home library is a wonderful feeling. However, it is a very unique feeling that occurs when you enter a large city or university building, full of long rows of tall shelves, full of books which contain more than just the history of the city or nation, but of human civilization itself. Canada has about 600 different library systems (community, government, school, regional, and specialized libraries) and about 3000 buildings, a third of which are here in Ontario. The Toronto Public Library system alone has about 100 branches, with nearly 19 million yearly visitors who borrow over 32 million titles in over 100 languages.

BASIC SERVICES Besides the standard book lending service, our city library has long offered films on DVD and music CDs. Print or digital books which are already borrowed can be put on hold over the internet. They can be picked at up at your nearest branch, and you will be notified by email when they become available. The standard borrowing period is 21 days, and, before the due date, the loan can be extended over the internet or by visiting a local library. An item can be returned outside of the library’s operating hours by placing it in a box, normally found at the side of the building.

SPECIAL SERVICES Although reading rooms serve local communities, TPL has a mobile library service through its Bookmobile, i.e. a bus full of books which stops by your neighbourhood on certain days. This service is useful for the elderly and individuals with impaired mobility, as well as for mothers with small children.

Certain libraries have sections with a variety of foreign languages, and almost every book is translated into French. Books in Serbian can be searched for over the internet and in branches of the TPL such as the North York Central Library, Northern District, and Eatonville. A Serbian Book Club is organized in the Northern Distict branch, which is at 40 Orchard View Blvd. in Toronto. You can drop-in on their meetings or call 416-393-7610 for more information.

Literary events, free programs for both learning and developing English, and programs for various other subjects for all ages are organized at the library. For example, there is a blog called TPL teens for young readers which offered awards and held contests last Summer. There are also daily conversations (every afternoon in the Flemington Park branch) for senior immigrants to converse in English and meet their new Canadian friends.

ALWAYS NEW Apart from being able to do the usual at the library – to read, learn, and write – the modern TPL offers free internet at their computer terminals and, recently, free wi-fi access as well. The buildings of the TPL are modernized and wheelchair accessible.

The educational programs are always current and relevant to the world in which we live. There are programs available for Word, Excel, general computer classes, as well as assistance in finding employment and writing resumes and cover letters.

The newest programs are oriented towards small, private businesses and promoting networking between them through regular meetings at the library. There are courses such as Start-up Your Small Business for New Residents or How Small Businesses Use Social Media.

Become a member of your local library in order to read, learn, and socialize more! The present and near future are times for the exchange of knowledge and cooperation.