Below is the City Librarian’s report for the January 2026 Toronto Public Library (TPL) Board meeting. This report covers items that are not part of the Board agenda package.
Spaces
Strong community engagement on Reddit
A recent Reddit thread celebrating Toronto Public Library has generated significant engagement and media coverage. Community members shared deeply personal stories, with one expressing amazement at having books readily accessible after growing up without libraries, while another credited TPL as a safe haven during childhood abuse and as a protective space for LGBTQ+ youth. The discussion emphasized TPL’s evolution beyond book lending to include recording studios, 3D printing and career resources, reflecting strong public appreciation for the library as a welcoming, accessible and dynamic space that responds to community needs.
Love at the library
Toronto Public Library has long been a place of learning, community and refuge for Toronto residents. On a cold, snowy Saturday morning on December 13, 2025, our Cedarbrae branch also became a wedding venue.
Newcomer Osakhare Cynthia Martin from Nigeria exchanged vows with her husband, Stephen Fasugba, in a quiet corner of the library. The brief ceremony was officiated by a licensed wedding officiant and witnessed by the officiant’s daughter and a friend.
After the ceremony, the couple expressed their appreciation for the library and its role in the community, especially for newcomers. “I have always loved the library since coming to Canada, but Cedarbrae stands out for its welcoming space,” said Stephen. Osakhare agreed, noting the library’s bright yet cozy atmosphere and adding, “On a snowy day like this, there is no safer place to be.”
Staff expertise
Outreach Service Exchange Strengthens Community Care
On November 27, 2025, the Community Outreach & Engagement Committee hosted the second annual Outreach Service Exchange, a full-day learning session focused on community care and democratic values. The event gathered staff from across TPL to reflect on how libraries support social connection, civic engagement and community well-being. Featured speakers included Zahra Ebrahim (Monumental), Marium Vahed (Democratic Engagement Exchange), Alex MacIsaac (Samara Centre for Democracy), Mary Rowe (Canadian Urban Institute) and Wency Leung (The Local).
Participants explored the library’s role as a trusted public space that welcomes diverse perspectives and supports informed communities. Conversations centred on building lasting relationships with community members and partners to reduce barriers and improve access to library services. Staff appreciated the opportunity to discuss and map out forms of community care through outreach and the value of bringing people together to share experiences and best practices.
Positive Spaces training for staff
In 2025, TPL’s Pride Alliance, an employee resource group that helps foster and support an inclusive environment for 2SLGBTQ+ staff, collaborated with The 519 to continue offering mandatory Positive Spaces training for staff. This training supports the work of TPL’s 2SLGBTQ+ Service Plan and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. It also helps us foster welcoming and inclusive spaces for all Torontonians and TPL staff.
At each session, participants learned about the Ontario Human Rights Code, with a focus on Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression, as well as the importance of pronouns and gender-inclusive language. Staff also discussed common scenarios they may encounter at work and the best ways to navigate these scenarios.
In 2025, 24 training sessions reached 540 staff. Since the training launched in 2021, nearly 70% of staff have completed the course. In 2026, Pride Alliance will deliver 16 additional Positive Spaces sessions.
TPL participates in Inclusive By Design panel
On December 17, Toronto Public Library participated in Inclusive By Design: Approaches to Sensory and Participatory Accessibility, a panel discussion at the Aga Khan Museum focused on sensory-responsive design. Ariana Ferrone (Senior Services Specialist, Accessibility Services and EDI Initiatives) represented TPL at the event which brought together a growing community of practice dedicated to rethinking accessibility through inclusive spaces and programming, and collaborative approaches to visitor engagement.
Ariana joined Eleonora Sermoneta (Aga Khan Museum), Dr. Simge Erdoğan-O’Connor (Museum of Health Care) and Melissa Smith (Royal Ontario Museum) in an invigorating conversation about museum and library strategies to sensory and participatory accessibility, available tools and resources used to improve access, ongoing barriers and challenges and the importance of accessible community spaces. Many of TPL’s inclusive approaches were discussed, including how Universal Design for Learning is used in creating new library spaces and programs such as, the Sensory Room at S. Walter Stewart Branch, programs like Symphony Storytime for Neurodiverse Children with Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sensory Storytime Social for Neurodivergent Children, and the rollout of sensory kits in all After School Club locations.
Sparking curiosity and strengthening staff connections at Planning & Performance Management (PPPM) open house
On December 11, TPL’s Policy, Planning & Performance Management (PPPM) division hosted a fun and interactive open house at the North York Central Library, where the PPPM team works. PPPM leads TPL’s strategic planning, policy development, research, evaluation, stakeholder engagement, data analytics and performance reporting. They also oversee enterprise risk management, privacy, records management and Board governance.
Staff from across TPL came together to learn more about PPPM, share ideas and connect in a relaxed setting. Over 60 staff members participated, exploring creative displays and stations set up by team members to showcase their work. The event included a mini conference and opportunities to network and have fun!
The open house was a fantastic opportunity to bring together public service and support staff, helping everyone better understand how they can collaborate and support each other’s work. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many appreciating the chance to engage with the team and strengthen connections across TPL.
Programs
Astronaut Jeremy Hansen visits Cedarbrae Branch
In November, Astronaut Jeremy Hansen visited the Cedarbrae branch to celebrate the launch of a new e-book from the Canadian Space Agency, called “The Explorers Club: To the Moon!” and to speak about his upcoming space mission, Artemis II: the first lunar mission with humans on board since the Apollo missions over 50 years ago!
Thanks to a special collaboration between TPL, the Canadian Space Agency and Library and Archives Canada, over 90 Grade Three students and teachers from Cornell Junior Public School were able to attend the program in-person, and another 40 students from Ottawa tuned in virtually.
During the event, Toronto-based actress Jasmine Brough joined Jeremy to offer an engaging storytelling performance of the e-book. Later, students from Cornell JPS presented a sparkling “thank you” card for Jeremy and wished him well on his upcoming mission.
Jeremy will make history in 2026 as the first Canadian to go on a mission around the Moon.
A recording of the event can be watched on the CSA’s YouTube channel or Facebook page.
Learning, Dialogue, and AI in the Economy: TPL’s Inaugural AI Summit Recap
In December, TPL’s inaugural AI Summit convened industry experts, practitioners, and community members to explore how AI is shaping work and the economy. Across two days of programming, the event brought together over 700 attendees.
The Summit opened on December 5 with a kickoff event at the Toronto Reference Library, where Mutale Nkonde, founder of AI for the People, and Vass Bednar, Managing Director, Canadian Shield Institute, set the tone for the following day’s discussions on broader participation in the AI-driven economy.
The main Summit was held on December 6 at the North York Central Library and featured speakers representing the City of Toronto, Coalition of Innovation Leaders Advancing Respect (CILAR), Cohere, the Dais, Google, KPMG, Schwartz Reisman Institute, Vector Institute, and more. The day began with a welcome from TPL Board Vice-Chair Jonathan Hoss, followed by speaker talks, panel discussions, workshops, and an interactive showcase, participants gained practical insights into emerging trends and real-world applications of AI, while also addressing critical questions around responsible and ethical use and public interests. The day concluded with a conversation with Sonia Brar, the Chief Technology Officer at the City of Toronto, and Agapi Gessesse, CEO of CILAR, moderated by City Librarian Moe Hosseini-Ara on advancing the public interest in the age of AI.
With strong audience engagement and positive feedback such as, “Just keep these things coming. The speakers and interviewers were very sharp and articulate. Great stuff,” the inaugural AI Summit highlighted community interest in the emerging technology and introduced a new forum for public learning and discussion around artificial intelligence. Video recordings from the event will be published in February 2026. The Summit also laid the foundation for ongoing public education initiatives and future conversations about AI in Toronto, with the second AI Summit scheduled for November 28, 2026.
TPL’s AI Summit is made possible with support from Google.org.
Raising Confident Kids: Paren'ting in the digital age
This fall, the Raising Confident Kids series featured four expert presenters who provided insight into the effects of technology on children. The series launched with Julia Swaigen (MSW, RSW), Founder and Director of Attuned Families, who shared how caregivers can help mitigate their children’s social media use and introduced participants to Unplugged Canada. Paul Davis, IT/Cyber Professional, built on this theme by relaying how paren'ts can ensure their children stay safe online, whether they are using the internet to game or connect with friends. Toronto Public Health nurses then shared strategies that caregivers can use to help manage their children’s screen time. Finally, Dr. Michael Cheng, Psychiatrist and Associate Professor, University of Ottawa, closed the series by providing practical tips using brain science to nudge children towards healthier technology use.
Raising Confident Kids is a virtual series designed to introduce paren'ts and caregivers of children, ages birth to 12 years, to timely topics, equipping them with information to support their children’s overall wellbeing. A selection of programs in the Raising Confident Kids series is available for replay on the TPL website.
National Housing Day recognition
Each year, National Housing Day raises awareness of housing insecurity and homelessness across Canada. In recognition of this important day, TPL partners annually with Homeless Connect Toronto (HCT) to host a documentary screening and panel discussion focused on local housing issues.
On November 24, TPL hosted a screening of the documentary His Name is Ray, which explores the interconnected challenges of addiction, mental health and housing in Toronto. The screening was followed by a panel discussion featuring local experts in addiction and housing, offering valuable insights and perspectives.
The event was highly successful, attracting more than 70 attendees and generating a lively and thoughtful discussion on the intersection of addiction and housing insecurity. Panelist Dr. Boozary noted the significance of convening in the library, describing it as one of Toronto’s vital “third spaces” where community members can gather, connect and foster a sense of belonging.
This annual National Housing Day event provided an important opportunity to highlight the shared commitment of TPL and HCT to supporting people experiencing homelessness, and to promote informed dialogue about the ongoing housing crisis facing Toronto.
2026 Innovation Symposium: Championing Intellectual Freedom and Democratic Values
On November 4, 143 participants attended TPL’s online Innovation Symposium where library leaders from the Americas and Europe discussed the innovative ways their libraries are upholding democracy and intellectual freedom.
TPL City Librarian Moe Hosseini-Ara hosted a panel of library leaders, including Åsa Kachan from Halifax Public Library, Linda E. Johnson from Brooklyn Public Library, Jonathan Hernandez Perez, chair of the IFLA Advisory Committee on Freedom of Expression and Marie Ostergaard of Aarhus Public Library in Denmark. Lightning talks from Colombia and the United States illustrated the ways libraries are building civic trust and upholding the freedom to read.
A keynote by Shamichael Hallman, a Director for the Urban Libraries Council, highlighted the importance of inclusive public spaces in a healthy democracy.
The event recording is available to view online.
Specialized services
Recharge Your Mind: A Teen Social Wellness Event
On November 8, TPL hosted Recharge Your Mind, a social wellness event that brought together 90 teens, paren'ts and caregivers at North York Central Library to respond to rising teen loneliness and mental health concerns in Toronto.
Led by North York Central’s Teen Council volunteers and TPL’s Youth Outreach Work Group, the event featured engaging activities supporting social wellness, including drumming, therapy dog visits, terrarium making, a mental health workshop for paren'ts and a community fair highlighting local social health resources.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Teens shared how much fun they had while paren'ts and caregivers noted the value of the mental health workshop. One especially meaningful moment occurred when a young person shared that they didn’t have access to a phone to contact Kids Help Phone. Staff were able to highlight that Kids Help Phone also offers online chat support, and that the library offers free tech and internet access, illustrating the important role libraries play in supporting community wellbeing and teen social health.
Recharge Your Mind was developed through TPL’s City Librarian Innovation Challenge.
Generously supported by: Estate of Claudia Krawchuk and Biblio Bash 2025 gala supporters, with special thanks to Sam Chaiton and Lindy Green, Dream Community Foundation, Maureen and Victor Dodig, and Fitzrovia.
TPL announces the 2025 First and Best list
In mid-December, TPL announced its 2025 First and Best list, celebrating outstanding Canadian children’s books that support early reading readiness for children under five. Released each year, the list is part of TPL’s Ready for Reading program, which encourages paren'ts and caregivers to build important early literacy skills from birth to age five through fun, everyday activities like reading together.
Selected from works by Canadian authors and illustrators, this year’s list features a diverse range of titles that combine engaging stories and illustrations that help spark a lifelong enjoyment of reading and learning. The winning authors, illustrators and publishers have been sharing their excitement on social media.
Copies of all First and Best titles are available at library branches across the city.