Below is my report for the September 2024 Toronto Public Library (TPL) Board meeting. It summarizes key activities in support of the priorities outlined in our strategic plan. This report covers items that are not part of the Board agenda package.
Opening up our public space
Open hours successfully expanded at eight branches
Beginning this past July, open hours increased at eight branches as part of TPL’s three-year open hours expansion plan approved by the City in February. Monday service, along with extended morning and evening hours, were added to Black Creek, Burrows Hall, City Hall, Cliffcrest, Hillcrest, Humberwood, McGregor Park and St. James Town branches.
On the morning of Tuesday, July 2, the Burrows Hall opening team was excited to witness the expanded hours in action. A steady flow of customers visited the branch, and many were pleasantly surprised to find it open. By mid-morning, around 30 customers were enjoying the library. In July, there was a 61% year-over-year increase in traffic at branches that received increased Monday to Saturday hours.
Starting on September 15, Sunday service will be introduced at Beaches, City Hall, Danforth/Coxwell, Deer Park, High Park, Riverdale and Woodside Square branches.
Celebrating TPL's first net-zero library project
In August, a groundbreaking ceremony took place for the Centennial branch redevelopment. Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor James Pasternak, and I delivered congratulatory remarks, followed by a photo shoot with key stakeholders and library staff.
The Centennial branch expansion aims to enhance library services, promote community engagement, and contribute to environmental sustainability. Notably, it will be TPL's first net-zero energy building when it opens in approximately three years. More information on this project is available, including alternate library service during the closure period.
Summer Wonder and TD Summer Reading Club 2024
This summer marked TPL’s sixth Summer Wonder, and it was filled with milestones. Between June 22 and August 31, children were invited to participate in the annual TD Summer Reading Club and attend over 50 Summer Wonder STEM, arts, and author or illustrator-led workshops across the city. Families also enjoyed 25 French language programs and 25 camps - 10 of which were led by our Pop-Up Learning Labs team.
TPL also set a new Wonder Workshop record by offering 87 workshops across 54 branches! Kids applied design thinking fundamentals as they prototyped solutions to challenges involving space travel, adapting to climate change, and supporting endangered ecosystems.
This year, 1,199 kids registered for the TD Summer Reading Club on the Beanstack Reading Tracking app, earning 2,010 virtual badges. TPL’s 1000 Reads Before Kindergarten challenge was also joined by 234 families, logging over 14,345 books read!
Outreach to TDSB Summer Model Schools
This past summer, TPL once again partnered with TDSB Summer Model Schools to bring the joy of reading and learning to students across the city. As part of the Model Schools for Inner Cities program which focuses on improving access and opportunities for all students, TPL staff conducted more than 40 engaging class visits at participating schools.
During these visits, staff connected with over 3,000 students, providing them with resources and opportunities to enrich their summer experiences. Students had the chance to register for library cards, join the TD Summer Reading Club and explore TPL’s exciting Summer Wonder programs. Many expressed interest in our design thinking Wonder Workshops and After School Clubs series.
National Indigenous History Month
In June, TPL celebrated National Indigenous History Month, also known as Indigenous Peoples’ Month. We hosted in-branch and online author visits, public performances, lectures and more. During these programs, library customers learned about the culture, history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. A variety of topics were covered, including Indigenous contributions to the game of hockey, perspectives on humanity’s relationship to the land, and the personal and professional evolution of an urban Indigenous chef.
In the community, TPL staff attended several Indigenous-led events, including the Indigenous Arts Festival at Fort York and National Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations at the Harbourfront Centre. Staff engaged with more than 400 people and issued over 100 new library cards. The annual Read Indigenous campaign was the most popular topic of conversation and many visitors asked for copies of the 2024 reading list upon arriving at TPL’s booth.
TPL offers Indigenous-led programming year-round. Visit our Indigenous Celebrations webpage to discover upcoming programs.
Celebrating Pride Month across the city
This past June, TPL staff did another incredible job supporting and celebrating Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer + (2SLGBTQ+) customers. We offered 79 Pride programs and more than 1,795 customers attended. This includes two spotlight Pride programs organized by our 2SLGBTQ+ Services Committee, featuring authors Kai Cheng Thom and Zain Bandali. Staff received wonderful feedback at both author talks, reaffirming the importance of diversity in our spotlight program offerings.
Branch staff across the city also created dynamic and thought-provoking Pride displays featuring equity-deserving and intersectional authors, as well as Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer voices and perspectives.
We look forward to continuing our commitment to enhancing 2SLGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion throughout the year.
Emancipation Month film screening
August 23 is recognized by UNESCO as the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. During Emancipation Month, TPL commemorated this significant day at North York Central Library with a screening of the movie “Joseph: Who Would You Be If You Were Truly Free?” In the film, a Jamaican doctor trained in Western medicine explores his journey to overcome familial conflict and self-doubt in order to uncover his African heritage. More than 110 customers attended to honour Black history and deepen their understanding of African and Caribbean heritage.
This event was supported by the City of Toronto's Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit and the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario.
Broadening Toronto's digital access and inclusion
Open Data Community Challenge explores social connection and community wellness
In June, nearly 50 data analysts, visualizers, coders, learners and idea people gathered at the Toronto Reference Library for an Open Data Community Challenge.
Three community partners – Genwell, Toronto Foundation, and the City of Toronto Open Data team – joined TPL in presenting challenges related to social connection and community wellness. Participants tackled the issues using open data sets and produced a wide array of creative solutions, from recommendations for library services for seniors to visualizations of resources for youth.
Participants learned, had fun and made new connections. In a LinkedIn post, software engineer Manouchehr Chalabi shared, “I had an amazing experience socializing and building valuable relationships with highly motivated individuals who are deeply passionate about bringing projects to life. I met fascinating new friends in this gathering, with whom I discovered an alignment of interests.”
TPL's Innovation Council explores generative artificial intelligence
In July, TPL's Innovation Council presented an engaging panel discussion at the Toronto Reference Library about the technical, creative and ethical aspects and issues surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI). TPL Board member and City Councillor Paul Ainslie introduced the event. More than 120 guests of all ages heard from technologist and Innovation Council member Eric Boyd, artist Ryan Kelln, and AI governance advisor Manal Siddiqui. Following the panel discussion, guests watched informal demonstrations of AI tools and had the opportunity to ask questions.
Building pathways for workforce development
Learners graduate from IT Essentials course
TPL’s Let’s Learn Tech service provides workforce development opportunities for Torontonians and removes barriers to employment by introducing technology concepts necessary for the modern workplace. In addition to self-paced courses from Cisco Networking Academy, learners can join online or in-person learning circles on a variety of topics including data science and analytics, computer programming, cybersecurity and more.
In the last few years, TPL has also offered certification opportunities for some learners through its IT Essentials project, whose most recent cohort wrapped up in August. In total, 39 learners completed the eight-month IT Essentials program where they learned how to install, configure and troubleshoot computers, peripherals, mobile devices and software. These graduates are on the path to obtain CompTIA A+ certification using exam vouchers provided by TPL, and generously supported by The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation and other generous donors to the Toronto Public Library Foundation (TPLF).
Congratulations to all the graduates!
Providing the vital ingredients for a democratic society
TPL Foundation raises $1.8 million for two initiatives, unlocking a budget commitment from the City of Toronto
In 2022, the TPLF, with support from its Board of Directors, agreed to raise significant funds for two important TPL services: a two-year pilot of a Financial Empowerment Services Initiative and a Social Services Team pilot. I am proud to share that TPLF has successfully completed this fundraising thanks to many generous donors. Moving forward into 2025, these services are now part of TPL’s base budget and this effort showcases how a blended private/public fundraising model can achieve such tremendous results.
The Financial Empowerment Services Initiative helps support outcomes outlined in the City’s Poverty Reduction Strategy by offering barrier-free access to counselling to low-income customers at Downsview and Riverdale branches. In the last two years, the service has provided 2,000 individual financial consultations, 36 group programs and workshops, and eight tax clinics resulting in $3 million accessed by participants through tax savings and benefits. Thank you to Lead Donors: Shawn Kimel and Kate Schatzky, CIBC Foundation, Bank of America, and Supporting Donors: RBC Royal Bank, Burgundy Legacy Foundation, Mawer Investment Management Ltd., Fidelity Canada, and BNY Mellon Asset Management Canada Ltd.
The Social Services Team pilot program is one of the many ways TPL assists our city’s most vulnerable residents. In partnership with experts from the Gerstein Crisis Centre, TPL offers low-barrier mental health and crisis supports in a welcoming and judgment-free environment. In the first year of the pilot, staff had 10,246 customer engagements and 2,480 attendees participated in 541 events and workshops. Thank you to Lead Donors: Shawn Kimel and Kate Schatzky, and Supporting Donors: Maytree Foundation, BMO Financial Group, Haynes-Connell Foundation, The Rotary Club of Toronto, Maureen and Victor Dodig, GreenShield, Anonymous Donor, and The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation.
TPL at the Canadian National Exhibition
From August 26 to September 1, TPL participated in the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) for the second consecutive year. Our enthusiastic team of staff engaged with 7,000 visitors and 150 program participants. We also welcomed more than 600 new TPL members, renewed 200 library cards and loaned over 200 items. Customers were thrilled to discover the potential of a library card and appreciated how easy it was to register for one.
Visitors of all ages were excited to see TPL at the CNE and borrow books from our Bookmobile, Big Blue. Some visited our Bookmobile for the first time, while for many others, it brought back a sense of nostalgia and familiarity. Families had fun at our children’s reading corner and our daily storytime and craft programs. Customers were also excited to spin our trivia wheel for a chance to win great prizes, including TPL tote bags.
Staff enjoyed interacting with the community and raising awareness of many library services, and we’re grateful to have been part of this annual end of summer tradition. Thank you to all of our staff who supported this event and helped to make it an unforgettable experience!
Investing in staff and an innovative service culture
Staff social and parade participation during Pride Month
During Pride Month in June, TPL’s Pride Alliance hosted its annual staff social at Runnymede branch. On the evening of Saturday, June 15, approximately 30 staff, family and friends connected with each other, playing Pride Trivia and enjoying a potluck and pizza co-sponsored by TPL and TPL Workers Union Local 4948.
On Sunday, June 30, Pride Alliance, along with more than 50 staff, family and friends, plus drag performer Dank Sinatra, marched in the Toronto Pride Parade. Marchers held signs featuring titles of frequently banned and challenged 2SLGBTQ+ works to highlight how TPL and public libraries champion intellectual freedom.
Pride Alliance is an employee resource group that fosters diversity and inclusion for 2SLGBTQ+ staff and allies. Other key initiatives of the group include organizing and facilitating mandatory Positive Spaces training for staff in collaboration with The 519.