Toronto Delivers

Our Toronto Public Library Rocks! Yup, we admit that this may sound like a nerdy statement to the uninitiated to the written world but it isn't ... again its all about your perspective of what a library is.

The library in its most basic definition is a place of books, right? It's a place to find reference. To us it is also a place to identify the people it serves. For example, in San Francisco, we were part of the unveiling of the James Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center (you can even find our etched name by the front door and no we didn't graffiti it in). With its large LGBT population, this was an appropriate and a welcome addition to their library where it hosts various events and exhibitions serving the community.

In New York, the public library was a place of solice for the tired and the weary... oops, that was the chapel by the library (or the food bank near Port Authority)... actually we used the public library often especially since we were in post-grad school when we lived there; everyone used the NY Public Library Desk Reference. We sat at author lectures, we listened to eclectic music, and viewed work by post-modernist artists BUT you have to pay to get in! (reminds us somehow of Hawkin's explanation on position power between the have's and the have-not's). Much like the SF Library's goal of serving its community, the NYC library serves its arts-culture and quite eclectic communities.

So who does the Toronto Public Library serve? Although the website graphic (on the top right of the webpage) of a bespectacled researcher points to a bit of stereotypeism (although we personally like it since we're researchers at heart), the rest of the webpage immediate identifies the rich demographics that it serves - kids, teens, french speaking, and the multi-cultural general public plus it has recommended readings, book clubs and special collections. We like that; and especially useful for tourists checking out the library facilities and amenities. The New York Library's landing page presumes you know how to navigate it, the San Francisco website is a bit bland.

The events page of the three libraries are also quite varied - from a bit boring (SFO), to too many words on a page in NYC to a lot more excitement with the current Keep Toronto Reading page; a definite World Class rating for this programme!

In the coming days, we'll be reviewing the specific events of the Toronto Public Library. Its free, check out the schedule and join us.... and don't forget what Robin's mom always says "a book a month keeps the Alzheimer's away" or something like that...

Our Calendar for February would be ~
The Anime Ball | Emily Carr| Children's books series| Scott Pilgrim | Altered Books

What'll you be doing? Post your experiences at the events here! And if your friends are not in Toronto this month - send them an ecard today. Let's not just keep Toronto Reading this month, but everyday. It'll be one of our guarantees of being a world class city.