Pre-conference programs
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
TOURS
Innovation tour
10:00 am to Noon
or
2:15 pm to 4:15 pm
Wellesley Centre
ST. JAMESTOWN BRANCH
The first new library to be built in Toronto since 1998, the branch delivers quality service to one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in Canada - ten times the City of Toronto average. St. James Town neighbourhood is home to a diverse, multicultural community including newcomers to Canada and families with young children. The project is the result of a collaborative community partnership between the City of Toronto Economic Development Department, Culture and Tourism; City of Toronto Community and Neighbourhood Services Depart-ment; and the Toronto Public Library. The design is a joint venture of MacLennan, Jaunkalns Miller Architects Limited and ZAS (Zawadzki Armin Stevens) Architects Inc.
Pre-registration is required. No cost.
Renovation tour
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Leaves from North York Reference Library front entrance.
"We are the busiest library in North America," says City Librarian Josephine Bryant. "One reason is because we strive to provide warm and welcoming branches. The Toronto Public Library is committed to the ongoing revitalization of public space to meet the needs of the neighbourhoods it serves."
A steady flow of upgrades and renovations have drawn increasingly favourable press and related political support from municipal councillors, most notably including Mayor David Miller who has become one of the library's most vociferous spokespeople.
This tour was created for TPL staff members and we are delighted to make it available. The tour is a revealing window on the philosophy of the library and on the detailed study and creative thinking that has gone into revitalizing these libraries in the context of their distinctive communities.
Here are three quite diverse examples to enjoy:
Malvern Branch
The Malvern community has a population of 158,000 residents and one of the highest growth rates in the City of Toronto It is also a community which has the highest proportion of children and youth in the city and the newly constructed Malvern Branch is a focal point for city services to youth in an often troubled area.
McGregor Park Branch
Beaches Branch
The branch features a restoration that emulates the original 1915 Arts and Crafts style, while allowing it to function as a modern library. One of the city's most beautiful structures.
Pre-registration is required. No cost.
AlphaPlus tour
2:15-4:15 pm
ALPHAPLUS LIBRARY and ALPHAPLUS STORE
Has your library identified adult literacy as an outreach focus? Do you have, or are you building collections that support adult learners? Find out how you can reach out to the adult literacy community by spending an afternoon at the AlphaPlus Library and Store. Browse through Canada's largest collection of adult literacy resources that support literacy instruction and research in the English, French, deaf and First Nations literacy communities. Consult with library staff about your collection development and outreach needs. Discover how your library can sponsor an AlphaPlus Community Literacy Collection. Visit the AlphaPlus Store, where you'll find a broad range of books, computer programs and other tools related to literacy, numeracy, workplace, ESL, learning disabilities, life skills, health, and many other relevant topics.
Pre-registration is required. No cost.
