Attention: News Directors, Toronto Press Gallery, Urban Affairs
New Library Opens Doors to Kennedy/Eglinton Community
Toronto (Thursday, June 25, 2009) – The expanded Kennedy/Eglinton Branch, located in the Liberty Square Shopping Plaza (2380 Eglinton Avenue East) reopened today at 12 noon, bringing a vibrant library back to the community.
For youth, the new Kennedy/Eglinton Branch is an important resource in a neighbourhood lacking in youth-friendly spaces; for children, it features a welcoming area with child-sized computers; for community groups, it is a convenient gathering place and for everybody, there are more computers and wireless internet access.
"We built this new library for the 25,000 people who live in the Kennedy/Eglinton community," said City Librarian Jane Pyper. “Working with our community partners, we’ve designed a library that responds to the community’s needs. This is part of Toronto Public Library’s long-term goal of providing beautiful, inviting and functional public space across the city.”
Almost twice the size, the new Kennedy/Eglinton Branch features:
An inviting teen zone.
More computers with high speed internet access.
Wireless Internet access.
More community space, study space and lounge seating.
Express check-out.
Children’s area with child-sized computers.
Interior and exterior book-drops for quick returns.
New books, CDs, DVDs and magazines.
The new Kennedy/Eglinton branch was funded by the Partnership Opportunities Legacy Fund from the City of Toronto and with funding support from the Liberty Square Shopping Plaza.
Toronto Public Library’s first ProTech Media Centre, which will introduce youth to careers in technology and new media while providing computer literacy skills through a media arts program, will open at Kennedy/Eglinton branch later this summer.
The expansion and renovation of the Kennedy/Eglinton Branch is part of Toronto Public Library’s ongoing building renovation plan. In 2009, Torontonians benefited from the opening of a new Jane/Sheppard Branch and now the expanded Kennedy/Eglinton Branch. Upcoming grand openings include Bloor/Gladstone Branch in July and Thorncliffe Branch in Fall 2009, both after major renovations and expansions.
Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 16 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow almost 30 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.
-30-
Media Contact:
Edward Karek, Communications Officer, 416-397-5925
media@torontopubliclibrary.ca