Attention: City Desk, Urban Affairs Columnists, Arts & Entertainment Editors
Toronto Public Library Announces Book of Poetry for City's Second Annual Community Read
TORONTO (Wednesday, February 11, 2009) - Toronto Public Library announced today that Glen Downie’s 2008 Toronto Book Award-winning collection of poetry, Loyalty Management, is its selection for Toronto’s second annual Keep Toronto Reading One Book program. From now through April, the library is encouraging everyone to read the same book and then join discussions and events throughout the city exploring the book's themes, issues and ideas.
"I couldn’t be happier about the book chosen this year," said Toronto Mayor David Miller. “This collection of poems bookends the human experience – from the birth of a child to the death of a father. It is an especially fitting choice as we celebrate the 175th birthday of the city, because this wonderful collection beautifully evokes Toronto and its neighbourhoods – from the Victorian houses of the Junction to the sculptures outside our skyscrapers, but also looks beyond our city.”
Loyalty Management is currently available in all library branches and at most bookstores in the city. In April, the library and its One Book partners will be hosting author readings, neighbourhood walking tours, poetry slams, discussion panels, and many other events focused around the book, including discussions in 30 Toronto high school classes. April is also the new month for the library’s major literary festival, Keep Toronto Reading.
“Moving Keep Toronto Reading and the One Book program to April will not only bring us better weather,” said Chief Librarian Jane Pyper, “It’s also a great fit with Poetry Month, which is celebrated at the same time. Reading and discussing Glen's great collection of poems will celebrate this wonderful literary form, while at the same time engage the city in dialogue, and foster a sense of community through literature."
Author Glen Downie says he is honoured that Loyalty Management has been chosen. “I hope those who liked this One Book will be encouraged to read more poetry, and that this One Book may lead to Many Books.”
Related Events:
One Book Kick-Off
Glen Downie in conversation with Tina Srebotnjak. Live music.
Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m.
Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, 416-395-5577
On Being Dad: Writing about Fatherhood
Writers Glen Downie, Dan Hill (I am My Father’s Son), and David Gilmour (The Film Club) discuss fatherhood in the modern context.
Tuesday, April 7, 7 p.m.
Beaches Branch, 2161 Queen Street East, 416-393-7703
Glen Downie at Authors at Harbourfront Centre
Downie reads with other writers.
Wednesday, April 15, 7.30 p.m.
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
The Politics of Poetry
Toronto poets Michael Boughn, Beatriz Hausner and Goran Simic on poetry as a tool for dissent.
Thursday, April 16, 7 p.m.
Parkdale Branch, 1303 Queen Street West, 416-393-7686
The Junction Literary Pub Crawl
An entertaining historical/literary walking tour of the Junction. Wind up at a local pub for a reading of some of Downie's favorite poems.
Saturday, April 18, 2 p.m.
Meet at Annette Street Branch, 145 Annette Street, 416-393-7692
The Art Bar Poetry Series
Canada’s longest running poetry series hosts an evening with Glen Downie.
Tuesday, April 21, 8 p.m.
Clinton's, 693 Bloor Street West
Poetry Slam with the Toronto Poetry Project
Come out and hear poetry from street level. Cash prizes and accolades for winning poets!
Thursday, April 23, 6:30 p.m.
Parkdale Branch, 1303 Queen Street West, 416-393-7686
Book Club Discussion
Meet Glen Downie at this special event for book club members
Tuesday, April 28, 7 p.m.
North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, 416-395-5535
One Book Reading with Glen Downie
Thursday, April 30, 7 p.m.
High Park Branch, 228 Roncesvalles Avenue, 416-393-7671
Gallery Display: “Poetry Wall-to-Wall”
Glen Downie joins the Library’s Special Collections with a display of poetry broadsides. Come and discover why these poems won’t stay on the shelves!
Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, 416-395-5577
April 2009
One Book Online
Visit KeepTorontoReading.ca. Go to the One Book section and:
• Download the One Book widget to create interactive “fridge” poems.
• Explore a virtual book featuring pages from Loyalty Management
• Read an essay by Barbara Myrvold, Toronto Public Library’s local history specialist about the history of the Junction, the author’s neighbourhood and setting for several of the poems in Loyalty Management.
• Explore an interactive virtual poetry map of Toronto
• Also: Find up-to-date event listings
Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, almost 17 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow more than 29 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.
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Media Contact: Edward Karek, Communications Officer
416-397-5925
media@torontopubliclibrary.ca