Below is the City Librarian’s report for the March 2026 Toronto Public Library (TPL) Board meeting. This report covers items that are not part of the Board agenda package.
Collections
Discovering new books with the Reading Challenge
The 2025 Reading Challenge has officially wrapped up! This annual initiative, led by TPL, encourages readers to explore new genres and broaden their literary horizons. Customers read or listen to books in different categories for a chance to win prizes, tracking their progress on the Reading Challenge bingo card. In 2025, more than 6,000 bingo cards and bookmarks were distributed to customers at TPL branches, with a second print run required to meet demand. The dedicated Reading Challenge Facebook group grew to 3,800 members, and 300 participants completed the online survey to share their success in finishing the challenge.
Customer satisfaction with the Reading Challenge remains high, as shown in this comment from a participant:
“I love the challenge - have been doing it since it started! A small group of friends have a WhatsApp where we share what book we are reading and for which category and then give a little review when we finish. It is a sweet way to stay connected.”
The 2026 Reading Challenge is now underway and people can start participating at any time of the year.
Recognizing the freedom to read
Freedom to Read Week encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, a value that TPL is proud to champion year-round.
To mark the week, TPL joined libraries across Canada for a digital day of action on February 23, sharing resources on censorship and free expression across social media to demonstrate the power and importance of the freedom to read.
During Freedom to Read Week this year, the inaugural Vickery Bowles Award for Intellectual Freedom in Public Libraries was awarded by the Canadian Urban Libraries Council, and TPL was thrilled to hear that one of its own was the recipient! Staff member Lilian Nguyen a Youth Hub Librarian at Albion branch, won the award for her essay titled “Upholding the Right to Read: Policy Responses to Book Banning in Canadian Libraries” - a timely and important contribution to the national conversation on intellectual freedom.
Intellectual freedom is at the heart of our work and remains a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. As the largest public library system in North America, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to a broad and diverse range of books, ideas and perspectives. In a time when open access to information is more important than ever, we continue to champion the right of every individual to read, learn and explore freely.
Promoting French collections and services
Staff from Collection Development and Adult Services participated in four school fairs, talking to over 120 people about the French offerings at TPL in January. Areas of interest from parents and students included ebooks available through Cantook Station, volunteer opportunities, programs and digital collections like Kanopy and Hoopla.
The outreach was a great opportunity to build connections with both schools and families. Those in attendance commented that they were amazed at the depth and quality of TPL’s offerings in French.
Staff expertise
New program helps users identify and combat misinformation and disinformation
In February, staff across the system participated in an online training session to roll out a new staff-led user education program, “Fact or Fiction: Identifying and Combating Misinformation and Disinformation.”
This program helps the public build the skills needed to evaluate information found online. The session defines mis-, dis- and mal-information and related terms such as deep fakes, and includes interactive activities. It also provides practical tips and tools, such as fact-checker websites, to help community members navigate the complex landscape of online information responsibly and safely.
This program supports TPL’s strategic plan priority of Social Connection, Civic Engagement and Democracy, which recognizes that Torontonians need to understand digital citizenship and how to navigate digital information in order to contribute positively to online communities.
Programs
Celebrating Black History & Culture
TPL celebrated Black History Month throughout February at branches across the city with over 50 events including author talks, musical performances, workshops and films for all ages that shine a spotlight on Black heritage and culture. Branches also created beautiful and inspiring book displays throughout the month.
Featured Black History events included a talk at Toronto Reference Library with historian and author Channon Oyeniran about the rich history and experiences of people of African descent in Canada over 400 years; talks and live readings by local author and poet Bernadette Gabay Dyer at several branches; and a conversation between acclaimed journalist and historian Mark Whitaker, celebrated scholar Kehinde Andrews and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tamara Payne on the legacy of Malcolm X and the ongoing struggle for Black liberation. TPL’s Black History and Culture program series is supported through the TD Ready Commitment.
In one example of a collaborative and meaningful community event, Thorncliffe branch partnered with Thorncliffe Park Public School to bring children’s author Nadia Hohn to more than 280 students. Hohn shared readings from her books, spoke about her Jamaican-Canadian heritage and encouraged young readers to explore their own stories, sparking lively discussion and inspiring many students to think about writing, creativity and representation in literature.
TPL’s Dial-a-Story also marked the month with four special children’s stories read by Black Canadian authors and storytellers. The series featured two tales brought to life by the distinctive voice of librarian, children’s literacy advocate and storyteller Dr. Rita Cox: How Trouble Made the Monkey Eat Pepper, a West Indian folktale and The Wise Judge, a hilarious Ethiopian folktale. Another week featured local author Nadia Hohn’s Malaika’s Winter Carnival, a story about a young girl’s adjustment to moving from the Caribbean to Quebec City, Canada. The month wrapped up with author and storyteller Itah Sadu’s Mr. Gore, an engaging story from Zimbabwe.
TPL showcases Black History & Culture all year round with reading lists and a collection of programs and special events that honour Black heritage and consider the historical significance and contemporary contributions of Black activists and artists from around the world.
Design a Bookmark Contest
Last month, Toronto Public Library celebrated the creative award winners of this year’s Design a Bookmark Contest.
The contest saw excellent participation, with more than 4,600 entries submitted from children across the city in three age groups: six and under, seven to nine, and ten to 13 years. From this remarkable pool of submissions, 12 Grand Award winners were selected for theme, originality, and design and an additional four designs received an Elizabeth Cleaver Design Award for outstanding artistic merit.
The top winners were honoured at an awards ceremony on Saturday, February 28, where they celebrated alongside their families and friends. The young artists were applauded by Toronto Public Library Board Members Sakariya Ahmed, Soo Wong, and Ben Liu, who offered congratulatory remarks. Contest judge and guest artist Shiva Delsooz, also contributed to the festivities by leading participants through an engaging illustration workshop.
The 16 winning designs will appear on tpl:kids and were distributed as printed bookmarks in branches earlier this month.
TPL extends its appreciation to all the children who shared their imagination and creativity in this year’s contest.
Children from birth to 13 years are encouraged to participate in the 2027 contest. Entry forms will be available online and in branches beginning in October 2026 at tpl.ca/designabookmark.
New partnership with West Toronto Ontario Health Team
As part of its expansion of health-focused programming, TPL hosted a session on February 24 on Heart Health: Practical Advice from a Cardiologist, marking the first program in a new ongoing partnership with the West Toronto Ontario Health Team.
Presented as part of TPL’s Your Health Matters initiative, the session featured Dr. Anjali Anselm, Division Head of Cardiology at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, and engaged more than 75 attendees from across the city. Dr. Anselm provided an overview of key factors that influence cardiovascular health, shared practical strategies to manage risk in everyday life, and responded to participant questions during a live Q&A.
This program advances TPL’s strategic priorities related to learning and growth, by expanding learning opportunities that strengthen health literacy and increasing equitable access to trusted information.
TPL Celebrates Winter Olympics and Paralympics in branches across Toronto
In February and March, over 35 branches across the city cheered on Team Canada and athletes from all over the world by hosting free Olympic and Paralympic watch parties and in-library activities.
With almost 50 programs offered, Torontonians were invited to watch the opening ceremony in Milano Cortina or one of the many sports events live, participate in Olympic-themed after-school STEAM activities or a hands-on crafts session. Programs were offered to different age groups to get everyone in the Olympic spirit.
The celebration continued throughout March, as branches carried the excitement into the Winter Paralympics with more watch parties and related programs.
With thanks to CBC/Radio-Canada for working with libraries across the country to broadcast the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Specialized services
tpl:map welcomes new attractions partners and increases arts access to Torontonians
tpl:map continues to grow and expand its reach across the city since transitioning online. Since January, customers have made more than 22,000 reservations, with many passes made available for families during March Break.
In 2025, TPL welcomed eight new partners: Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra, DanceWorks, Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra, Hot Docs Cinema, Mooredale Concerts: Music & Truffles KIDS, Ontario Science Centre: CF Sherway Gardens, Ontario Science Centre: KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre and Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
Thanks to community partners, tpl:map made more than 134,000 passes available for residents across the city, with over 127,000 reservations made over the year. Affordability remained the leading driver for participation, reinforcing tpl:map’s role in reducing financial barriers for Torontonians to access meaningful cultural experiences. tpl:map continued to advance our strategic priority of awareness and availability by expanding opportunities for engagement.
TPL will continue to grow and strengthen the program in the year ahead with the introduction of new partners. tpl:map is generously supported by The Bennett Family Foundation.