Food and Alcohol Policy

Effective Date: September 29, 2025

Purpose

Toronto Public Library (TPL or the Library) is committed to providing welcoming, inclusive, and safe environments for all Library customers. As food and drink have become more common in library programs and events, and as alcohol may be served at designated venue spaces, it is necessary that the Library establish consistent, system-wide expectations that remain responsive to evolving programming, legal, and public health contexts.

The purpose of the Food and Alcohol Policy is to outline the requirements that govern how food and alcohol may be provided, served, and consumed during Library programs, events, and rentals. This policy is intended to support consistent practices that reduce risk, promote health, accountability, and a positive customer experience.

The objectives of the policy are to:

  • Ensure consistent and clear expectations for the safe handling, service, and use of food and alcohol in TPL spaces;
  • Reduce risk by outlining requirements for food safety, allergy awareness,and alcohol service;
  • Clarify the roles and responsibilities for TPL staff, external presenters,collaborators, renters, and customers; and
  • Align with relevant legislative and public health standards.

Scope

This policy applies to all public-facing TPL programs, events, and space rentals where food or alcohol may be provided, served, or consumed.

This policy applies to:

  • TPL staff and volunteers involved in the planning or delivery of programs and events;
  • External presenters, collaborators, or organizations working with TPL to deliver programs; and
  • Alcohol service in venue and community space rentals under the Community and Event Space Rental Policy.

This policy does not apply to:

  • Individual customers consuming their own food and beverage in Library spaces, as this is addressed through the Rules of Conduct Policy;
  • Staff-only areas and internal TPL events;
  • Food dispensed through vending machines; and
  • Food served by renters in community space rentals. Renters are responsible for their own food safety practices and must comply with the Community and Event Space Rental Policy.

TPL may establish further operational guidelines to support the implementation of this policy.

TPL reserves the right to determine when this policy applies to specific activities or events, in accordance with applicable law and Library guidelines.

Underlying Principles

This policy is driven by the principles defined in the Library’s Values, Vision, and Mission, and in TPL’s Equity Statement and Intellectual Freedom Statement.

Toronto Public Library is committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all Library customers. The Food and Alcohol Policy is grounded in the following core principles:

  • TPL is committed to delivering safe, equitable, and inclusive services, including programs and events where food or alcohol may be provided, served, or consumed.
  • Food and alcohol may be included in public-facing services only when their use aligns with the Library’s commitment to customer safety, equity, and accessibility.
  • TPL is committed to maintaining the trust and safety of the public by taking steps to reduce risk, support transparency, and provide a safe and accountable public service environment.

Policy Statement

Toronto Public Library offers a wide range of public-facing programs, events and space rentals. In some cases, food and alcohol may be served or consumed as part of programming and rentals. This policy establishes the rules that govern how food and alcohol may be provided, served, or consumed in these contexts.

This policy ensures a consistent and accountable approach across the Library. It outlines responsibilities for staff, volunteers, external presenters, collaborators, and renters, and supports allergy-aware practices that reduce risk and promote informed participation. It also establishes requirements for alcohol service at events or TPL programs held in designated venue spaces, in alignment with applicable legislation.

This policy promotes:

  • Safe and equitable service delivery;
  • Clear, enforceable expectations for all parties;
  • Compliance with legislative requirements; and
  • TPL’s commitment to safety, inclusion, and public trust.
  1. Allergy Aware Not Allergen-Free  
    • 1.1. Toronto Public Library does not operate in allergen-free environments.
    • 1.2. TPL follows an allergy aware approach, designed to reduce but not eliminate risk.
    • 1.3. Primary source ingredient lists, including original product packaging, will be made available to and shared with program participants during each program session.
    • 1.4. This requirement applies to both consumptive and non-consumptive uses of food.
    • 1.5. Customers and caregivers are responsible for managing their own food intake and allergy-related risks, and those of dependents in their care.
    • 1.6. Participation in food-related programming is voluntary, and customers assume responsibility for making informed choices.
  2. Food in Programs and Events  
    • 2.1. TPL staff may include food in library programs when it supports the program’s goals and meets all requirements outlined in this policy and related guidelines.
    • 2.2. TPL staff must not prepare, cook, or assemble food for public consumption.
    • 2.3. Food must be commercially prepared, pre-packaged for individual distribution, or prepared onsite under the supervision of a trained external presenter, in compliance with this policy.
    • 2.4. Program descriptions and materials must clearly state when food will be provided, served, or offered.
    • 2.5. Ingredient list requirements are outlined in the Allergy Aware section of this policy.
  3. Alcohol Service  
    • 3.1. Alcohol is permitted only at approved events with a valid alcohol permit as regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
    • 3.2. Alcohol service must be approved in advance by a designated representative from TPL’s Venue Rentals Team.
    • 3.3. Programs generally do not permit alcohol to be provided or served.
    • 3.4. Alcohol is not permitted in community space rentals during library hours. Exceptions for after-hours community space rentals must be approved by designated staff.
    • 3.5. All programs and events involving alcohol must be organized by TPL’s Venue Rental team. The team provides guidance and oversight to ensure compliance with all AGCO regulations and requirements.
    • 3.6. Designated TPL staff must verify that all documents and requirements have been met before the program or event takes place.
    • 3.7. Failure to meet these requirements will result in cancellation of alcohol service. TPL reserves the right to cancel or deny approval for any program or event that does not comply with this policy.
    • 3.8. TPL and the City of Toronto shall bear no liability for any claims, damages, or incidents arising from the service or consumption of food and alcohol. Event organizers and permit holders are solely responsible for compliance with legislation and assume full legal liability.
    • 3.9. Staff are not permitted to consume alcohol while on duty at library events. This restriction applies regardless of whether alcohol is being served to event participants.
  4. External Presenters and Collaborators  
    • 4.1. External presenters, collaborators, and organizations participating in programs must follow TPL’s allergy-aware approach. Food menus must be finalized and provided to TPL in advance of the first program date.
    • 4.2. Programs must indicate if food or drink is being provided, served, or consumed.
    • 4.3. External presenters, collaborators, and organizations delivering programs involving food must ensure that any staff or volunteers handling food are trained to recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.
    • 4.4. Ingredient list requirements are outlined in the Allergy Aware section of this policy.
    • 4.5. Failure by presenters or collaborators to meet the requirements of this policy may result in program cancellation.
  5. External Renters  
    • 5.1. Programs or events hosted by external individuals or organizations on TPL premises are governed by the Community and Event Space Rental Policy.
    • 5.2. Alcohol is not permitted in community space rentals during library hours. Exceptions for after-hours community space rentals may be considered on a case-by-case basis and must receive prior approval from a designated library representative.
    • 5.3. Alcohol may only be served at programs or events held in designated venue spaces, subject to the conditions outlined in the “Alcohol Service” section of this policy.
    • 5.4. TPL does not regulate or oversee food provided by renters in community space rentals. Renters in community spaces are solely responsible for food safety and compliance with public health regulations. Venue rentals must use TPL approved caterers for food and beverage services.
  6. Staff Training  
    • 6.1. TPL is committed to ensuring that staff have the knowledge and skills to safely manage food and alcohol in public facing services.

Accountability

The Director of Service Development and Innovation has overall accountability for programming as a service pillar.

The Directors are accountable for ensuring compliance with the Programming Policy in their respective areas.

Related Legislation

Related Library Policies

Related Standards, Procedures, and Guidelines

Definition of Terms

Allergy Aware
- Refers to the state of being knowledgeable and proactive in managing allergies, particularly food allergies.
Anaphylaxis
- A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death.
Collaborative Program
- A collaborative program is a type of collaboration with an external organization. The collaboration can be a one-time program, one-time series, or ongoing program or series.
External Presenter
- An individual, group, or organization delivering programs with Toronto Public Library.
External Renter
- An individual, group, or organization that rents library space under the Community and Event Space Rental Policy.
Primary Source Ingredient List
- The complete list of ingredients provided by the manufacturer or producer on the original product packaging.
Personal Consumption
- Eating or drinking your own food while you are in the library. This is covered by the library’s Rules of Conduct.
Program
- Defined as an event having a presentation component and lasting 30 minutes or longer. A program could be a single event or a series of events, be a scheduled or a pop-up event, take place inside or outside of a branch, or take place online.

Contact

Director, Service Development and Innovation

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