Below is my report for the November 2026 Toronto Public Library (TPL) Board meeting. This report covers items that are not part of the Board agenda package.
Spaces
Flemington Park Branch Celebrates Reopening and 45th Anniversary
“When is the library reopening? We miss it so much.” Staff at Flemingdon Park branch heard this constantly in early 2026. This summer, the branch welcomed the community back following a renovation supported in part by the Toronto Public Library Foundation, with gratitude to donors Osmington Inc., and WJ Properties.
The bright, fully accessible branch now features a modern service area, upgraded computer workstations, new lighting and furniture, and expanded STEM and Youth Hub equipment. A new custom pod provides a private room for newcomer services, interviews and small study groups.
On September 19, the branch celebrated its grand reopening and 45th anniversary with a community open house. Families arrived at 9 am and stayed all day to enjoy tours, activities and sports ticket raffles. Customers have enthusiastically embraced the new ping pong table, board games, cozy seating and study pod, reaffirming the library's vital role as a community hub.
TPL at the Word on the Street Festival
On the last weekend of September, TPL took part in the annual Word on the Street Festival, a national celebration of literacy and Canadian writing.
The festival drew its largest crowd in recent years, with beautiful sunny weather throughout the weekend. Over the course of the event, TPL staff engaged with more than 6,000 visitors, registered and welcomed 341 new library members, renewed 102 memberships, replaced 86 library cards with one of TPL’s new card designs, and loaned more than 400 items from the Bookmobile.
Visitors lined up to explore the Bookmobile, attended daily story times and learned about TPL’s wide range of programs and services. Additionally, there was so much demand for the TPL tote bags that all 500 bags sold out halfway through the first day. In total, 1,178 bags were sold over the two-day event.
TPL also hosted a vibrant tent promoting the new Connect IRL series, which encourages people to participate in curated events and interactive engagement experiences. Hundreds of visitors stopped by to pick up stickers, chat with TPL staff and connect with strangers at The Talk Spot, where conversations about books, life and shared interests sparked meaningful social connections throughout the weekend.
Thank you to everyone who supported this event and helped make it another memorable community experience.
TPL at the Toronto International Film Festival
On September 11, TPL participated in Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) street activations, where staff welcomed nearly 2,000 visitors, registered 127 new library members, renewed 28 library cards, and sold out all 300 TPL tote bags.
Visitors took part in interactive activities, including voting for their most anticipated film releases, sharing their favourite movies, and receiving book and film recommendations inspired by TIFF selections and available through TPL's collections. The booth highlighted TPL services and collections, encouraged community participation through shared interests in books and film, and created opportunities for meaningful conversations about reading, movies and library resources. Many attendees also stopped by to express their appreciation for the Library and share what they were currently reading, watching or borrowing at TPL.
Truth & Reconciliation at TPL
September 30 marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, a time to recognize the trauma caused by residential schools and day schools, and honour those who never came home, Survivors, and their families. TPL is committed to furthering awareness and public education about the history and legacy of residential schools through programs, collections and engagement.
In September, branches across the city hosted Orange Shirt Day programs for children and families using resources shared by the Orange Shirt Society. More than 150 attendees heard stories and engaged in activities and crafts that supported age-appropriate learning and reflection. Branches also hosted Indigenous-led programs, including a discussion at Spadina Road with Dr. Ruth Green exploring appreciation vs. appropriation and offering guidance for respectfully engaging with creative works made by Indigenous persons.
The Indigenous Initiatives webpage received many visits from people looking for programs and resources, with particular interest in the Reading for Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and Every Child Matters booklists. TPL had a presence at the annual Indigenous Legacy Gathering at Nathan Phillips Square, organized by Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre. Staff engaged with more than 400 visitors, registered nearly 50 people for library cards, and shared copies of the annual Read Indigenous booklist.
Staff expertise
Developing staff capacity at the 2026 Digital Literacy, Innovation & Technology Conference
On September 17, TPL hosted its third annual Digital Literacy, Innovation & Technology (DLIT) Conference for staff. The goal of the full-day conference, attended by more than 60 staff, was to share knowledge, inspire each other, and learn about innovative digital literacy programs and initiatives to better support local communities.
The theme this year was Digital Wellness, and explored related concepts throughout the day including: combatting mis- and dis-information; intentional engagement with technology; and the internet's impact on the health of our democracy. Dr. Kara Brisson-Boivin, Director of Research for MediaSmarts, Canada’s Centre for Digital Media Literacy, launched the event with an inspiring keynote talk about why public libraries are currently so well-positioned to offer digital media literacy that truly matter. Other highlights included multiple table discussions amongst colleagues, and a poster show with eleven exciting digital literacy projects from around the system.
One participant commented, “I loved how relevant it was to our daily lives as public library workers.”
Programs
Celebrate Democracy launches with Public Trust Canadian premiere
In celebration of International Day of Democracy on September 15, TPL launched its 2026 Celebrate Democracy initiative at Fort York branch with Public Trust, an interactive artwork by Paul Ramírez Jonas, presented in collaboration with The Bentway and Waterfront BIA. The installation asked participants of all ages to reflect on the value of their word by declaring a promise, which was published on a large marquee board alongside commitments made by politicians, scientists, economists, companies and weather forecasters—all drawn from headline news.
Nearly 1,000 customers of all ages visited the installation throughout the day, and 36 promises were added to the marquee. Commitments included promises to help people disagree better, spend more time in nature, help reduce food insecurity and continue to learn.
Following the installation, Jonas participated in a public artist talk to explore how everyday acts of exchange, promise and participation can strengthen communities.
Celebrate Democracy continued through October with Know Your Vote T.O. and programs, events and resources that support informed civic engagement in Toronto’s upcoming municipal election on October 26.
This initiative is made possible by donations to the Toronto Public Library Foundation and is generously supported by the McConnell Foundation.
Culture Days 2026 @ TPL
In collaboration with Ontario Culture Days (ONCD), TPL celebrated Culture Days, a nationwide festival featuring artists from all forms of art with programs at branches across the city. Here's a look at some of the event highlights :
- The Making of She Holds Up the Stars at North York Central Library. Sandra Laronde discussed the creative journey behind She Holds Up the Stars and its acclaimed stage adaptation, a powerful Indigenous story of belonging. Attendees also got to see one of the pup-pets up close!
- Robyn Rennie: A Discussion on Blindness Arts, Disability Culture, and Creative Approaches. Robyn Rennie, an artist centering blindness arts, disability culture, and creative approaches to audio description and sensory access, shared pieces from her exhibition, SEEING BEYOND, which featured paintings, each accompanied by a life-size tactile replica and custom-built audio device.
- Fat Fables: Resisting Fatphobia and Finding Fat Joy at Parkdale Branch. Artists Jules Vodarek Hunter and Morgan Davis, co-creators of Fat Fables, a performance and creation program for Fat Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) folks, led a conversation and creative writing session celebrating and uplifting different bodies, unpacking the origins of fatphobia and how it shapes the current state of affairs on all bodies today.
TPL Kids’ Film Festival
Last spring, more than 50 children from the After School Clubs at Mimico Centennial, Morningside, St. Clair/Silverthorn and Yorkville branches participated in a series of filmmaking workshops led by local film experts. Through these hands-on sessions, children explored animation, storytelling and the filmmaking process, while learning about different animation techniques. Working collaboratively, they developed stories, created characters and produced original stop-motion films. The workshops encouraged creative expression, positive use of technology, and teamwork while helping to build literacy and communication skills.
The program culminated in a public festival on September 19 at Palmerston Theatre, where children and family members gathered to celebrate the young filmmakers’ work. The event featured screenings of the completed films and interactive film-related activities. Filled with laughter and excitement, the festival highlighted the value of children’s voices and provided a platform for them to showcase their creativity and accomplishments.
Technology
Toronto Public Library joins AI Civics co-design cohort
TPL is participating in AI Civics, an initiative led by Data & Society that explores how libraries can support public understanding, engagement and democratic participation in conversations about artificial intelligence. The initiative encourages people to see AI not only as a technology they use, but as a civic issue in which communities have a role in shaping how systems are designed, governed and deployed.
TPL's participation in the AI Civics initiative is being led by Pam Ryan, Director, Service Development & Innovation; Sarah Yaffe, Senior Manager, TPL Centre for Democracy; and Ab Velasco, Manager, Innovation (AI Services). Pam and Sarah attended the AI Civics co-design cohort gathering in October at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library of the DC Public Library in Washington, D.C. The event brought together library leaders, researchers and community engagement professionals to collaboratively develop approaches, resources and programming that help residents better understand the societal impacts of AI and participate in decisions about its use.
Digital Expo 2026
The fourth annual Digital Expo took place at Toronto Reference Library on October 3 and welcomed 325 participants, including 70 who joined via the Expo’s first-ever livestream. This year’s event, “AI and Democracy,” explored the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in fostering a more informed, inclusive and empowered digital society while protecting Canadians and safeguarding democracy. Panel discussions featured leaders from The Samara Centre for Democracy, AI Impact Alliance, MediaSmarts, the Dais, GenWell, and many others.
The Expo also featured workshops and interactive activities for all ages, designed to strengthen civic and digital literacy through hands-on, facilitated learning experiences – including a Democracy Fitness workshop. Children’s workshops examined coding, AI literacy and STEM skill development.
In addition, the Expo included an exhibitor showcase that connected community members with educators, organizations and service providers to explore innovative tools, resources and solutions designed to build essential digital skills and support lifelong learning in an increasingly digital world.
Specialized services
Building community support for suicide prevention
Fourteen community members attended the LivingWorks safeTALK workshop at Lillian H. Smith Branch on September 22, 2026. Offered through TPL’s Social & Crisis Support Services initiative, this half-day workshop helped participants learn how to recognize and respond to someone who may be thinking about suicide and connect them with life-saving support. This workshop is open to anyone aged 15 and older who wants to build the skills and confidence to support suicide prevention in their community. 337 individuals have completed the LivingWorks safeTALK workshop since the Library began offering it in 2023.
Additional safeTALK workshops are scheduled throughout 2026, expanding access to mental health and social support resources for residents across the city.
Social Prescribing Pilot Initiative Launches
In September 2026, Toronto Public Library launched a Social Prescribing pilot across five branches in partnership with Flemingdon Health Centre, LAMP Community Health Centre, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, Rexdale Community Health Centre, and St. Mike's Hospital SEED Team. Through partners' direct referrals to the Library, library staff welcome community health organization clients and connect them with library programs and services tailored to meet their personal wellbeing goals.
TPL is also expanding social connection opportunities for seniors through dedicated community programming partnerships. Current partnerships include Chess Institute of Canada, Hope + Me, GenWell, Music Share for Seniors, Theatre of the Beat, and Writers Collective of Canada, with more to come. More information is available on tpl.ca at TPL Social Prescribing.
Social Prescribing is part of TPL’s Reducing Seniors’ Social Isolation (RSSI) initiative, generously supported by Lead Donor Waltons Trust, with additional support from Azrieli Foundation, Bennett Family Foundation, Estate of Claudia Krawchuk, The McLean Foundation, and The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation.