Annual Report 2023

The revitalized York Woods branch

In 2023, Toronto Public Library (TPL) saw significant increases in the use of many in-person services, trending positively towards pre-pandemic levels. The year marked a significant milestone with the full resumption of in-person services since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the year, we focused on serving our communities and providing vital services that so many rely on. We opened new spaces, including a Sensory Room for children with sensory processing needs and a Virtual Interview Room for job seekers. We found innovative ways to respond to customer needs with initiatives such as the Social Services Team pilot, offering low-barrier social services and programs. We also highlighted the role of libraries in protecting intellectual freedom with a broad-reaching advocacy campaign and programming series.

In late October, a major cybersecurity incident suspended a number of core services for the remainder of the year, including public computing, printing, holds, and access to tpl.ca and the online catalogue. However, many online services remained available, and branches continued to offer programs, collections and wireless internet access.

Thank you to our customers, staff, partners, donors and volunteers for their continuous support, remarkable dedication and generous contributions. These efforts have propelled us through another year filled with incredible achievements, highlighting our resilience and adaptability in the face of both opportunity and challenge.

Significant trends include*:

• In-branch visits increased 31%.
• Total number of programs offered increased 80%.
• Digital literacy programs offered increased 120% and attendance increased 94%.
• Physical circulation decreased 20%, impacted by the cybersecurity incident.
• Electronic circulation increased 14%, surpassing 12 million checkouts.
• In-branch computer use increased 27%.
• Use of wireless Internet increased 23%.
• New library membership registrations increased 35%.

* When compared to 2022 statistics.

More information on TPL's 2023 public service statistics, trends and comparisons (PDF)

Key 2023 achievements

Below are some key achievements which advanced our strategic plan priorities:

Opening up our public space

Enjoying a snack at Albion branch’s After School Club

• • Opened Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ branch, replacing and nearly doubling the size of Bayview branch. The new library is TPL’s first Indigenous named branch and is part of a joint facility between TPL and City of Toronto, featuring a community centre, an aquatic centre and a daycare. The name Ethennonnhawahstihnen' is a Wendat word that means “where they had a good, beautiful life.”
  • Reopened York Woods branch after a significant three-and-a-half-year renovation. The stunning branch includes a new entrance and atrium, expanded public spaces and seating, and a prominent street presence. It features a Youth Hub, Digital Innovation Hub, KidsStop and Musical Instrument Lending Library.
  • Revitalized Armour Heights and Mount Pleasant branches reopened during the summer.

• Launched a Sensory Room at S. Walter Stewart branch – an interactive, child-led space offering an inclusive, accessible environment for all children and their families or caregivers. Designed with children with sensory processing needs in mind, the room was made possible through a generous bequest made in memory of former elementary school librarian Jae Blue.
• Rolled out a Rainbow Presence initiative, displaying Intersex Progress Pride Flag decals at the entry of all TPL branches and service buildings, and distributing optional pronoun pins for staff to wear on their lanyards. Fostering welcoming and inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ people supports TPL’s Strategic Plan and focus on equity.
• Launched the Feeding Young Minds Initiative, providing healthy snacks during TPL’s After School Clubs at 30 branches across the city. The initiative was established by the TPL Foundation, with support from Lead Donor, the Moez and Marissa Kassam Foundation, and Supporting Donors, Phil Cowperthwaite and Sue Hunter, and Adrian and Ange Rocca.
• Introduced a Social Services Team pilot, formed in partnership with the Gerstein Crisis Centre, offering low-barrier social services and programs at four branches. The TPL Foundation supports this service with generous donations from Shawn Kimel and Kate Schatzky, and the Maytree Foundation.

Broadening Toronto's digital access and inclusion

Customers participating in a digital literacy program at Main Street, one of 43 branches that expanded access to technology to support programming

• Increased access to technology at 43 branches, boosting digital literacy programming across the city. Each branch received a set of laptops to help staff develop and deliver programs tailored to the needs and interests of their communities.
• Expanded Play & Learn STEM service from 25 to 97 branches, providing children and their families with access to the latest STEM equipment and more consistent digital literacy and STEM programming.
• Completed the rollout of new Windows desktop computers across all branches, expanding access to better software and assistive technology for public use. This was part of TPL’s Public Computing Realignment and Replacement project, which included the rollout of more than 4,000 new public computers.
• Held TPL’s inaugural Digital Expo, welcoming nearly 100 guests at the North York Central Library. The event featured local agencies and industry leaders in the fields of artificial intelligence, smart cities, data privacy, big data and open data who discussed the importance of understanding and staying safe in today’s ever-changing digital world.
• Hosted a filmmaking post-production Innovator in Residence program led by Tobias Williams, an experimental animator and educator. Over a 10-week period, Tobias led 30 programs and classes related to post-production and delivered one-on-one consultations. More than 200 customers participated in the program, learning everything from visual effects to character animation, cinematic lighting and more.
• Launched a futures studies Innovator in Residence program led by multidisciplinary scholar and strategic foresight expert Alexis Tennent. During Alexis’ 10-week residency, more than 350 customers participated in programs, workshops, class visits and one-on-one consultations exploring futures thinking, trends and signals of change.

Building pathways for workforce development

Virtual Interview Room

• Launched Virtual Interview Rooms at North York Central Library and Malvern branch, providing a dedicated space for job seekers to prepare for and participate in virtual interviews. Each room is equipped with software and hardware, and staff are available to assist. The Virtual Interview Room at North York Central Library is generously supported by The Sorbara Family.
• Held the first sensory-friendly Autism Employment Expo at the North York Central Library, attended by more than 200 job seekers, including visitors from as far as Parry Sound, Ontario and Buffalo, New York. Autistic job seekers heard inspiring talks, participated in skills-building workshops, met employers and service providers, and connected with TPL resources.
• Delivered 13 staff-led Let’s Learn Tech learning circle courses, including a 12-week Python Essentials course completed by 46 learners, and an eight-month IT Essentials course completed by 33 learners, helping customers gain technical skills for the workforce. IT Essentials is generously supported by The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation, Fidelity Canada and other generous donors to the TPL Foundation.
• Launched an eight-week Entrepreneur in Residence program led by business founder and mentor Joëlle Jacqueline, helping small businesses and entrepreneurs understand the fundamentals of building and managing a business. Joelle delivered weekly in-person programs attended by 377 customers and 51 one-on-one appointments offering personalized feedback on business ideas and plans.
• Hosted a month-long Illustrator in Residence program led by children’s book illustrator Carey Sookocheff, helping adults and teens learn about becoming an illustrator through online workshops, portfolio reviews and class visits. Carey also worked with hundreds of elementary school children online and in-person. This residency is sponsored by IBBY Canada, TPL, and Canadian Urban Libraries Council.

Providing the vital ingredients for a democratic society

The Book Sanctuary Collection display at the Toronto Reference Library

• • Launched the Book Sanctuary Collection, joining the Book Sanctuary movement started by Chicago Public Library and reaffirming the important role libraries play in protecting and defending the right to intellectual freedom. The Book Sanctuary Collection, available in branches and online, represents books that have been challenged, censored or removed from a public library or school in North America. The collection and its displays garnered extensive media coverage, raising awareness of literary censorship issues and advocating for intellectual freedom through news outlets including Toronto Star, Global News and CityNews.

• Rolled out a year-long intellectual freedom programming series asking Torontonians what’s at stake when intellectual freedom is challenged, featuring critical conversations with thought-provoking guests, installations, events and civil forums. To raise awareness of the series and the topic of intellectual freedom, TPL kicked off a city-wide advocacy campaign with subway station posters, street posters and social media. The series was featured on CityNews and Toronto.com.
• Introduced a new online system for reserving tpl:map passes, offering customers increased access to Toronto’s arts, cultural experiences and attractions using their library card. With the new platform, customers can make and cancel reservations online, and download or print their passes. In 2023, the tpl:map program was made possible thanks to the generous support of The Bennett Family Foundation.
• Celebrated Library Settlement Partnerships Week with 14 events across the city, including community information fairs and a concert featuring the Toronto Si-Zhu Chinese Music Ensemble. TPL helps newcomers with their settlement needs through Library Settlement Partnerships, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
• Added the Anderson Ruffin Abbott archive to UNESCO’s Canada Memory of the World Register, documenting the achievements of an advocate for the Black community during a transformative time in North American history. Anderson Ruffin Abbott (1837-1913) was the first Canadian-born Black physician. The archive includes books, legal documents, scrapbooks and other artifacts donated by Abbott’s descendants.

Investing in staff and an innovative service culture

TPL’s new Accessibility 101 curriculum includes narration, closed captions and American Sign Language (ASL) video

• Launched a new mandatory Accessibility 101 curriculum for all staff, volunteers and contractors, ensuring that customers and employees with disabilities feel welcome at the library and can access our services how and when they need to.
• Held the third annual Innovation Symposium, providing staff with the opportunity to learn about the innovative initiatives of other public libraries. Nearly 120 library peers from around the world attended virtually, including participants from Singapore, the United Kingdom and across North America.
• Introduced Wellness Wednesdays as part of TPL’s learning and development curriculum to engage staff with a wide variety of health and wellness content available in TPL’s learning management system, and to address needs identified in the 2022 Employee Engagement Survey related to stress levels and general well-being.
• Hosted the first 2SLGBTQ+ Services Exchange for staff and service partners, highlighting the rich diversity of 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Toronto, and creating opportunities for our services partners and staff to connect.