Below is my report for the February 2025 Toronto Public Library (TPL) Board meeting. This report covers items that are not part of the Board agenda package.
Spaces
Mayor Chow reaffirms commitment to expand library hours
Mayor Olivia Chow held a press conference at Guildwood branch on January 23 to reinforce her commitment to increased library hours as part of the 2025 operating budget. Mayor Chow delivered heartfelt remarks about the importance of public libraries, as did TPL Board member Councillor Paul Ainslie. It was another strong endorsement of the value of public library services to Toronto residents. The press conference led to news coverage about the Mayor’s support and some discussion around the importance of opening libraries in this economic climate.
TPL’s sites for children draw close to a million visits
In 2024, TPL’s two microsites for children and their families – Ready for Reading and TPL Kids – received nearly a million total visits.
Ready for Reading, our hub of early literacy resources for children from birth to 5, saw a 10 percent increase in site traffic compared to the previous year. Through the site, families can access recommended activities, books, programs and more to prepare their children for reading and writing. Last year, our most viewed staff-curated book lists were 1000 Reads Before Kindergarten: 100 Books to Get You Started, Reading with Pride and Read Indigenous.
TPL Kids, our online space designed for children aged 6 to 12, offers fun activities and helpful resources to encourage learning and exploration. Our Wonder Wall, where we answer questions submitted by curious young readers, covered far-ranging topics such as why school buses are yellow to where black holes lead. The most wondered question of the year was "What is the biggest number?" with more than 48,000 views. We also received over 700 jokes and riddles submissions, and kids showed strong interest in our blog posts about summer fun at the library and TPL’s Reading Challenge.
Collections
TPL partners with National Library of Ukraine
TPL entered into a partnership with the Vernadskyi National Library of Ukraine to advance collaboration in library science, information communications and socio-cultural activities. The official signing ceremony for the memorandum of cooperation was held on January 13 at the Toronto Reference Library. The partnership promotes direct collaboration between the two libraries, fostering the exchange of best practices in organizing, storing, and preserving library collections, delivering library services, and implementing innovative technologies and technical support. It also encourages the development of book exchange programs to enhance the quality of library collections, and the joint organization of cultural and educational events.
Launching TPL’s 2025 Reading Challenge
In January, we held a launch event at Runnymede branch for this year’s Reading Challenge, where we introduced 24 new reading categories for 2025. Customers were excited to learn about the Reading Challenge’s new look, which includes a bingo card design that offers more options for completing the challenge throughout the year. During the event, attendees participated in an activity where they voted for reading categories based on their personal preferences. We discovered that most participants could not wait to read books from the category "A science fiction, horror, or fantasy book by an Indigenous author" while the category "A book with ‘forced proximity’" sparked the most demand for suggestions.
After the launch, our TPL Reading Challenge Facebook group, now with nearly 3,500 members, became lively as readers shared their book-related questions and recommendations. Happy reading to all!
Expanding digital access to the Toronto Star
In January, TPL launched full access to thestar.com in all branches across the city through a partnership with the Toronto Star. Customers and staff using a library computer or on TPL's wireless network can now read the Toronto Star without having to sign-in or create an account. All articles and videos from thestar.com are available, including subscriber-only content.
The current issue of the Toronto Star, as well as three months of back issues, continue to be available outside of branches through PressReader.
Staff expertise
TPL attends the Ontario Library Association Super Conference
The Ontario Library Association Super Conference is Canada’s largest continuing education event in librarianship. From January 29 to February 1, TPL staff gathered at the conference to learn and share knowledge with library peers from across the country. Supporting this year’s theme of “building bridges,” we led 25 information sessions and workshops showcasing TPL’s leadership in innovation, accessibility and community engagement. More than 300 TPL staff registered for the event.
On day one of the conference, we led tours of our Maryvale and Bridlewood branches – two libraries that are thriving in malls. I also delivered an opening keynote with librarian and archivist of Canada, Leslie Weir, and President and CEO of Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Sarah Downey. We had a great conversation on how libraries and social agencies are working together with the communities they serve to improve inclusion and resilience.
Our staff-led workshops and information sessions covered a wide range of topics, including using assistive reading technologies, enhancing digital literacy for children, and harnessing data to bridge communities. We also collaborated with other libraries and institutions to discuss collections development, safety and security, breaking down silos and more. I had the opportunity to participate in panel discussions with other libraries on intellectual freedom, cyberattacks and the role of a library CEO.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s conference such a great success.
Programs
Anne of Green Gables exhibition
After being extended by popular demand, our staff-curated exhibition, “Patterns and Puffed Sleeves: Celebrating Costume Design through Anne of Green Gables,” finished its run in the TD Gallery at the Toronto Reference Library on January 26. It was our most visited exhibition since the pandemic, even surpassing many pre-2020 exhibitions. From October through January, thousands of Torontonians experienced the exhibition, and more than 300 customers attended one of 24 staff-led tours. Tour groups included Girl Guides of Canada, elementary and college classes and residents of an assisted living facility.
The exhibition was part of TPL’s celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables. It featured original costume designs, from both stage and screen, by designers Marie Day and Martha Mann (whose family was able to visit), preserved in TPL's Special Collections in the Arts.
Special thanks to Sullivan Entertainment and Theatre Calgary.
TPL partners with Women’s College Hospital
On January 15, TPL launched Bridging Minds: Health & Science Conversations, a new program series in partnership with Women’s College Hospital (WCH), dedicated to promoting health and science literacy in the community.
Through monthly, expert-led virtual sessions, participants gain a deeper understanding of key health and science concepts, learn how to navigate the digital landscape for reliable information, and actively engage with scientific knowledge for informed decision-making. Our first session, “Do you speak health? Introduction to Health and Science Literacy,” explored key health and science topics, including what it means to be health and science literate, and how to spot trustworthy health and science information sources in today’s digital age.
By combining TPL’s commitment to lifelong learning with WCH’s expertise in health and science, this partnership strengthens access to expert knowledge, equipping participants with tools to navigate health information confidently and improve their well-being. Together with WCH, we look forward to providing accessible, engaging and high-quality programming that empowers communities with knowledge.
Technology
Discussing women in STEM with Hon. Kirsty Duncan
Last month, TPL’s Innovation Council presented a discussion with the Hon. Kirsty Duncan about her new book, The Exclusion Effect: How the Sciences Discourage Girls and Women, and What to Do About It. The Hon. Ms. Duncan spoke from a wealth of experience, with her career spanning athletics, government and science.
The event was hosted by Innovation Council member Manal Siddiqui, an artificial intelligence governance expert. The two had a wide-ranging discussion about the ongoing challenges faced by women in STEM. The audience was highly engaged and participated by asking questions, networking and sharing strategies.
This event was part of an ongoing program series presented by TPL’s Innovation Council. On March 31, the Council is launching its Innovation Council Book Club civic engagement program.
Other TPL initiatives
TPL receives the Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ Intellectual Freedom Award
I had the honour of accepting the Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ Intellectual Freedom Award on behalf of TPL at the Ontario Library Association Super Conference. This award recognizes TPL’s leadership in advocating for intellectual freedom through its What’s at Stake campaign and accompanying Book Sanctuary Collection.
In 2023, TPL launched its year-long 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, we kicked off a city-wide advocacy campaign with subway station posters, street posters and social media. In the same year, we also launched the Book Sanctuary Collection, representing books that have been challenged, censored or removed from a public library or school in North America. I’m incredibly proud of these initiatives and our ongoing commitment to protecting and defending intellectual freedom.