Below is my report for the May 2026 Toronto Public Library (TPL) Board meeting. This report covers items that are not part of the Board agenda package.
Spaces
Marci Stepak walks to all 100 TPL branches in honour of mother
A Toronto woman laced up her sneakers on April 7 to begin a 300-kilometre journey, visiting all 100 TPL branches in honour of her late mother. Just ten days later, Marci Stepak crossed the finish line, having sparked a city-wide movement and raised more than $10,000 for TPL.
Supporters including Mayor Olivia Chow, TPL and Foundation colleagues, family, and friends, gathered at the Toronto Reference Library to celebrate her final stop. “I’m so glad I made it,” Marci shared. “I know this is exactly what my mother would have wanted, and I felt her with me every step of the way.”
Along the route, Marci was welcomed by staff and community members with handmade signs, warm wishes and even the occasional hot drink—proof of the powerful connections that libraries inspire. Watch coverage of Marci's walk on CBC News and Global News.
TPL Foundation raises over $1M from Biblio Bash
More than 400 of Toronto’s leading philanthropists, city builders and literary voices gathered at the Toronto Reference Library for Biblio Bash on April 23, raising over $1 million for TPL. Funds raised will support high-impact initiatives including After School Clubs, Leading to Reading and youth programming delivered in branches across Toronto. Led by gala co-chairs Moez and Marissa Kassam and presented by Fitzrovia, the evening was a powerful demonstration of what collective giving can achieve.
The bright and shiny evening brought together 35 celebrated Canadian authors, including two-time Giller winner Souvankham Thammavongsa, New York Times bestselling author Linwood Barclay, against-all-odds entrepreneur Brandi Leifso and short story-newcomer Jess Gibson. A successful live auction led by Afrim Pristine, co-owner of Toronto’s iconic Cheese Boutique, helped drive the most successful fundraising moment in the event’s history.
Library cards reimagined: new designs & mobile access
This month, TPL introduced six new library card designs, bringing the current card selection to eight. The new designs feature accessibility-focused improvements, including a tactile notch in the top-left corner to help customers distinguish their library card from other cards in their wallet, enlarged text and barcode for improved readability, reduced text for greater clarity and high colour contrast (except for the black-on-black card).
In addition to the new designs, customers can now use TPL’s mobile app to add their library card directly to their Apple Wallet for quick, seamless use at self-checkout stations and service desks.
Reopening Junction Triangle branch
Junction Triangle branch reopened on May 15 after several months of repairs following a flood caused by failed HVAC hose connections. All public areas of the branch have been restored to their pre-flood condition and 78 connectors were replaced. Some repairs to staff areas, wall protection, as well as some shelving and end panels, will be completed outside of public hours. No computer equipment, furniture or book collections were damaged.
The reopening restored access to library spaces, collections, programs and services, with staff returning to welcome the community back to a refreshed and fully operational branch. Customers were thrilled to return to their library.
Collections
TPL hits record 100 million digital checkouts
TPL has become the first library system in the world to reach 100 million digital loans—a milestone that reflects something we’ve always known: Toronto is a city of readers.
This milestone comes at a time when ebooks and audiobooks are becoming increasingly costly to license. Major multinational publishers continue to withhold bestselling digital titles from public libraries, including works by prominent Canadian authors, despite strong demand. Their licensing models are so costly and restrictive that they create long wait times and limit access for readers.
TPL is working alongside public library systems across the country to advocate for fair pricing and access, making this milestone not just a number to celebrate, but a compelling reason for change to ensure Torontonians can access the books they clearly want to read, in a timely manner.
Staff expertise
Commemorating International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
On May 12, nearly 100 TPL staff gathered in-person and virtually to commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Observed each year on May 17, the day raises awareness of the violence and discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQ+ people worldwide.
The event, hosted by TPL’s Pride Alliance community of inclusion, featured a fireside chat as well as a Q&A with Harrison Browne – Heated Rivalry cast member and the first openly transgender athlete in professional sports – alongside his sister, Rachel Browne, an award-winning investigative journalist and documentary producer. Pride Alliance manager champion Nan Davies and co-chair Matthew Collis explored topics with Harrison and Rachel such as what allyship looks like in sports, journalism and workplaces, along with practical actions that can be taken to advance inclusion and more.
Staff across multiple TPL divisions participated, asking meaningful questions and engaging in thoughtful discussion. After the event, many attendees commented that they appreciated the discussion and left with concrete actions to help advance inclusion at work and in their communities.
Programs
Celebrating National Poetry Month with Indigenous voices
In celebration of National Poetry Month in April, TPL hosted Inuk writer, artist and filmmaker Ashley Qilavaq-Savard for an online discussion of her poetry collection, Where the Sea Kuniks the Land. Ashley shared several poems in a live reading before engaging in a wide-ranging conversation hosted by Inuk writer and educator Jamesie Fournier. Ashley reflected on her beginnings in poetry and the profound role the land plays in inspiring her work and guiding her writing process.
After an engaging Q&A session, attendees participated in a writing activity prompted by their own connections to the land. Compositions were as varied as the locations from which attendees joined, including Alaska, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Six Nations of the Grand River and Toronto. TPL is committed to amplifying Indigenous voices and celebrating Indigenous culture year-round through programs like Ashley’s.
Kicking off TPL’s new AI Innovator in Residence program
On April 11, Fairview branch hosted a community open house to introduce its new Innovator in Residence focused on AI and music production, Joel S. Silver.
Joel, a composer, producer and immersive experience designer, shared his journey from traditional composing to working with artificial intelligence. He provided live examples of how he incorporates AI tools into his own music-making practice and spoke about how human expression should be at the core of all art, regardless of tools or medium.
The event opened with remarks from Councillor Shelley Carroll, who emphasized the importance of digital literacy programs for the public. Community members also had the opportunity to explore AI music tools that Joel will be teaching and demonstrating during his residency.
Until June 27, customers are invited to take part in free programs, workshops and one-on-one consultations with Joel that explore both the creative potential and ethical considerations of AI in music production.
The residency is part of TPL's AI Upskilling Initiative and is made possible with support from Google.org. More information can be found at tpl.ca/airesident.
TPL joins Democracy Fitness Global
TPL has signed on to be the official Canadian partner of Democracy Fitness Global. This international initiative based in Denmark focuses on strengthening democracy by helping people develop the skills and habits needed for active civic participation. Democracy Fitness is grounded in the idea that democracy functions best when it is practiced regularly through everyday activities that build critical thinking, information discernment, and dialogue across difference and collective problem‑solving.
TPL will begin to offer Democracy Fitness training programs in 2026 with training modules on strengthening ten different “Democracy Muscles” including: Active Listening, Compromise, Disagreement, Empathy, and Curiosity. In fun, interactive 30-minute sessions, TPL customers will exercise their democracy muscles and remind each other that democracy lives through us, and without courage, empathy, curiosity, and action, democracy cannot flourish.
Technology
Consulting industry experts on TPL’s digital gaming strategy
On April 3, TPL’s innovation department gathered 16 leading experts from Toronto’s digital games industry to help inform a future strategy to support the development of programs and services related to digital games at TPL.
Hosted at the Toronto Reference Library, the consultation featured a wide-ranging discussion on how the library can help remove barriers for those entering the industry, support professionals from equity-deserving groups, showcase local game designers and use digital games to foster social connection.
Feedback from the consultation was overwhelmingly positive. Staff and community partners came away buzzing about the possibilities platforming digital games in the library can have for supporting digital literacy and building community.
Specialized services
Wrapping up another successful tax filing season
This year’s tax filing season was a busy one at Financial Empowerment service branches across the city. It was a team effort, as staff at Cedarbrae, Downsview, Riverdale and Thorncliffe branches responded to a significant increase in requests for tax-related support.
From March to April, approximately 470 customers met with Financial Empowerment workers at these locations for assistance with filing tax returns, applying for government benefits and receiving general financial counselling, including budgeting, saving strategies, and managing debt and credit.
Since the launch of the service in 2022, Financial Empowerment workers from community partners North York Community House and WoodGreen Community Services have delivered nearly 4,000 one-on-one sessions. Through more than 6,000 tax‑filing and benefit applications, the Financial Empowerment service has helped customers access over $6 million in financial benefits, supporting the development of financially resilient communities across Toronto.
Last month, TPL’s Financial Empowerment initiative was featured on Global News and CBC Radio, further increasing public awareness of the free service and highlighting its positive impact.
This initiative is made possible thanks to generous support from the TPL Foundation, Bank of America, Burgundy Legacy Foundation, CIBC Foundation, Osmington Inc. and W.J. Properties.
Supporting individuals in recovery
As part of TPL’s Social & Crisis Support Services, the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) program is delivered in partnership with the Gerstein Crisis Centre to support individuals in recovery and anyone who may benefit. It offers structured learning and builds peer connections to support mental health, stress management and overall well‑being.
Last month, 32 participants graduated and received a certificate from a WRAP program, bringing the total number of graduates to 313 since July 2023. Participants appreciated the program, noting that “WRAP was good for the spirits” and “there is a lot of wisdom in the group.” Additional WRAP cohorts will continue throughout 2026, expanding access to mental health and social support resources across the city.
We are grateful to the following donors who are helping to support TPL’s Social and Crisis Support Services: the TPL Foundation, J.P. Bickell Foundation, BMO, Maureen and Victor Dodig and The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation. Their generous donations provide access and connection to social service and mental health supports to address challenges faced by our city’s most vulnerable residents.
Celebrating TPL’s volunteers
During National Volunteer Week from April 19-26, TPL celebrated and recognized its volunteers for their inspiring contributions. This year's theme, Ignite Volunteerism, highlighted volunteer roles in civic participation across Toronto and the deep, meaningful connections they’ve made in libraries and the community.
Last year, more than 1,800 volunteers contributed over 52,000 hours of service to support TPL library programs across the system. To honour their commitment, TPL gave volunteers a special recognition pin, and their impact was celebrated on TPL’s digital channels. One dedicated volunteer was recognized for reaching the impressive milestone of 25 years of service.
Learn more about TPL’s volunteer programs.