Public libraries in Ontario

A library is a powerhouse of knowledge and plays a very important role in shaping an entire society.

There is a famous quote by H.W. Beecher - "A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessities of life". True to that, Canada houses more than 600 public libraries. Out of these, more than 250 are in Ontario. Moreover, Ontario houses one of the largest public library systems in Canada - The Toronto Public Library. It has 100 branches and is acclaimed as the largest neighbourhood-based library system in the world.

The first free public libraries in Ontario were set up in the year 1883 in Toronto and Guelph. Ontario's public libraries are governed by Ontario's Public Library Act (PLA). Its objective is to provide equal and universal access to information and establish free public library services in Ontario through governance and regulations.

Almost every city in Ontario has a public library system. These library services aren't just limited to providing free access to books but diversified.

With a library membership, one can access thousands of books (hard copy, ebooks, audiobooks) covering all genres, not just educational, cultural and historical titles, newspapers and magazines
Few libraries lend movie DVDs, music CDs, video games, musical instruments like guitars, drums, keyboards, xylophones, etc.
Certain libraries have toys, board games, sports items like basketballs, croquet sets, hockey skates, snowshoes, trekking poles, etc. too for public usage
These libraries also provide free passes to selected local museums and parks
One can use the free wireless internet, printers and scanners available at the libraries
With an advanced reservation, computers, laptops and tablets can also be used
Members can access multiple learning courses available on the libraries' website

The public libraries conduct lots of programs and events around the year that are absolutely free of cost, for all, and don't even require a membership.

Some of those include virtual or in-person classes for people of all ages, starting from 0 years to high school kids, teenagers, college-goers and senior citizens. Baby time for just born babies to 1-year-olds, Storytime, Math learning for toddlers, English and French learning, craft learning for school children and tweens, Tech help for senior citizens are a few programs organized by the library in our community. The online courses organized by them were of great help to engage my toddler during the lockdown, last year. It served as a great chance to connect with other kids and parents online. The efforts staff put in, in planning and conducting the classes are remarkable.
If you are new to your city or the country, the first place you could visit is the nearest library. They provide newbies and immigrants with all the necessary information about the community and enable them to connect with new people, learn new skills and resources.
The libraries also assist the public in seeking employment opportunities. They conduct special programs on effective resume writing, improving interview skills, employment services orientation, etc. for enabling the unemployed and those trying to switch jobs.
For bibliophiles (book lovers), libraries in Ontario are not only the treasure-trove of books, but offer a great chance to connect with fellow bibliophiles through their book clubs. They serve as a fantastic means to know and read new titles and connect with like-minded book lovers.
Libraries also conduct various contests (art, photography, poetry, song writing, etc.), again open to all. In an attempt to promote and encourage local skills and talent, they conduct a Writer-in-Residence contest, where local unpublished authors are provided an opportunity to discuss their writing with an acclaimed author
They also provide space and organize corporate events, wedding ceremonies, birthday parties, etc.
Interested ones can take part in the volunteer programs and campaigns that the libraries conduct regularly

These are just a few services public libraries offer in Ontario. If you are new to Canada or on a short stay or a long-timer, do visit your local library, enroll yourself and enjoy the benefits they offer. Introduce library and reading to your kids as well. Kids who develop reading habits from a young age not only broaden their knowledge but also improve their vocabulary, communication skills, confidence and focus.

Happy Learning!!!

Follow me on my Youtube handle to get notified about my latest articles!!

Comments

Review: Anex Monkey Smart Watch

Hello Readers, Welcome back. While browsing through a weekly flyer by Canadian Tire, my eyes got hold of a smart watch, primarily for its name - Monkey Smart Watch. It's original price was $89.99. On account of Father's Day, the price was slashed 70% and offered for just $24.99 (from June 9th to June 16th). As it was listed on Canadian Tire website, I thought the product should be genuine and googled to know more about the product. But there weren't sufficient reviews online. So I decided to try it myself and booked it online. This smart watch was launched in the last quarter of 2021 as Anex Monkey Smart Watch. Last year, it had been sold for just $19.99 as part of Black Friday deal. Even after 5 days of waiting, Canadian Tire didn't process my order. On the other hand, the stock was vanishing real quick and only 80 watches were available in our near by store. When checked with their customer service executive, I was told to cancel my online order or wait until they p...

5 Magical Christmas Books for Kids: Perfect for Holiday Story Time

It's the holiday season and what better way than to spend reading those magical Christmas stories to your kids. Whether you have a cozy story time by snuggling under the blanket or read the book sipping hot chocolate by the side of the fireplace or just before tucking your little ones to bed, these wonderful books are sure to bring joy and lots of Christmas cheer to your little one(s) and your family. I also have some exciting ideas for you to make the most of this holiday season, along with creative tips to keep your kids happily engaged during the winter break. Do check out the below articles. I am sure you will find them useful. Things to do during Christmas Activities to engage kids during winter break Winter worksheets for kids Now, let's dive into the books that are going to win those tiny hearts and spark their imagination this holiday. 1. How Many Sleeps Till Christmas: This heartwarming kid's book is written Mark Sperring and Sebastien Braun. It is the story of...

Make non-greasy fried rice at home

There was a time, whether it was a birthday party or a treat or just returning from shopping or lazy to cook at home or dining out or catching up with a friend, we used to order fried rice/ noodles. It was the beginning of the fast food era and fried rice was the most sought out - veg fried rice, paneer fried rice egg fried rice, chicken fried rice, schezwan fried rice and the list goes on. Somehow I wasn't a fan of fried rice nor the noodles made at the eateries, though I love watching the preparation - tossing the veggies, rice/ noodles together. Yeah you got me. I admit I was and am still a fuddy duddy. Though I accept greasy food tastes the best, I am scared of them because of their ill effects to health, especially the reheated oil, MSG (ajinomoto) used in its preparation. Fried rice was originally a chinese dish, which is believed to be prepared to use the left overs - rice, vegetables and meat. But it created quite a stir in Asian countries and is still topping the fast food...

12 Months, 12 Books: My 2024 Reading Journey

In 2024, I made a conscious decision to read regularly. Instead of treating reading as a past time activity, I adopted it into my daily routine - aiming to read 10 pages each day. There were days where I couldn't read due to various reasons - sickness, time constraints, fatigue or other commitments. However, I managed to meet the target of 10 pages a day (on an average), over the year. This approach helped me overcome the reading slump and voila I could finish one book each month, totaling 12 books in 2024. In this post I would like to share all the titles I read last year. The Art of Happiness: My quest to learn more about Buddhism led me to this book by His Holiness Dalai lama in collaboration with Howard C Cutler. The content of this book is deep and highly relevant to everybody's life irrespective of one's region, religion and culture. The authors put forth "How to be happy" in very simple terms, while implicitly explaining the essence of Buddhism and Buddhist...

Cherry Season Guide: Pick, Store, and Make the Easiest Cherry Jam

It is the season of cherries, one of our favourite fruits. Those who are regular readers of my blog would have read about cherry picking I posted last year. In case you haven't read it so far, do read it by clicking here . We are never bored of cherries and it's always a pleasure being out in the farm. Similar to last year, we had a lot of fun in the Sun Valley Farms. Apart from tasting and picking cherries, we brought along lot of cherries home and rekindled lot of everlasting memories from my childhood. Me and my cousins have spent most of our summer holidays in our grand father's home garden where we used to grow different varieties of trees, flowering plants, herbs and shrubs - tending to them and playing under their shades. And in the afternoons, we used to enjoy (should I say loot?) fruits from others orchards - guava, mango, papaya, tamarind, pomegranate, monkey pods and a lot more. Don't get judgy-wudgy. They were all our relatives yards and gardens😜 Whenever ...

Manu's Medley

Search This Blog