Branching out: Toronto’s busy library system is gearing up for fall

Thestar.com
September 4, 2020
David Rider

After an unprecedented closure due to COVID-19, branches at the world’s busiest urban library system are unlocking their doors. We asked Toronto Public Library’s reopening team about helping people during a pandemic.

Star: How many branches are open now and when will all be open?

TPL: We have 72 branches open with plans to open additional branches in September and all branches open by the end of the year.

Star: What changes will visitors to branches notice?

TPL: Many services are now available, including browsing and borrowing, placing holds, computers and wi-fi usage, as well as work, read and study areas. People can also sign up for a library card, print, photocopy, scan and access quick information services.

Star: Do people with books from before the lockdown face big overdue fines?

TPL: We’re encouraging customers to return items promptly to reduce the wait time for others. However, at this time, if customers are unable to return items by the due date, they will not be charged fines.

Star: How have online services been affected by the pandemic?

TPL: We’ve seen heavy use of our digital resources, including OverDrive for ebooks and audiobooks, streaming video services Kanopy (up 120 per cent) and Hoopla (up 40 per cent), and eLearning platforms like Lynda.com (up 37 per cent).

In September our Appel Salon series will have online programs including Covid-19 and Digital Disruption: Can Technology Save Us? and Marlowe Granados: Happy Hour.

Star: What should parents and kids know about student resources?

TPL: We have a diverse collection of fiction and non-fiction books in our branches and online, plus on-demand video programs on YouTube. Our Kids website has homework help, while Brainfuse has free daily help for students. We will slowly restart, in select branches this fall, our Leading to Reading program. Teens can get online support through our TPL Teens website.

Star: Youth hubs in libraries are an important part of the city’s plans to give kids safe spaces and combat gun violence. How have they been affected by the pandemic and what’s ahead for them?

TPL: Youth Hubs have been closed since March. Open branches with existing Youth Hubs will introduce revised services with new safety protocols on September 8 at 11 locations: Albion, Barbara Frum, Cedarbrae, Centennial, Downsview, Fairview, Malvern, Maria A. Shchuka , Parliament, Sanderson, and Thorncliffe). Flemingdon Park and York Woods branches will offer Youth Hub service when they reopen, likely in late-Sept or early-Oct). Ten new Youth Hub locations are being introduced later this fall (Agincourt, Don Mills, Kennedy/Eglinton, Parkdale, Jane/Dundas, Mount Dennis, North York Central Library, Richview, S. Walter Stewart and Weston).

Star: Has the pandemic affected any future plans for TPL, like branch openings or service expansions?

TPL: We recently launched a new 5-year strategic plan which we are now putting through the pandemic lens. The services and initiatives that were identified through the strategic planning process are even more critical and needed in the community, especially the vulnerable community, and we plan on moving forward and implementing as many as those as we can in the coming months and years. We also continue to work on capital projects and renovations, projects that were already in the works and a few new projects. There is, however, the reality of the city’s financial situation which may impact the larger projects.

Star: What do Torontonians need to know about their library system at this very strange time?

TPL: We are doing our very best to get our services back up and running. We are working within some restrictions and limitations and ask that patrons be patient and respect everyone while using our spaces. And to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer to protect yourself and others while using the library.

Star: Has the pandemic affected reading habits?

TPL: In the early days there was a surge of interest in how-to books about food -- cookbooks, baking books, books about growing your own vegetables. Arts and craft books were also big. Months later, people are returning to their pre-pandemic reading interests -- mysteries, thrillers, literary fiction, etc. are all doing well.