toronto public library

Why We Speak … Publicly

Toronto Reference Library Beeton Hall JULY 18, 2019

In the Library World, decency, diversity, and dignity reside. When you step up to the Library desk and ask a Librarian anything, you are gold. Last Thursday night I spoke in front of eighty-two library patrons. This is a community I’ve come to know and love locally and world-wide.

As I adjusted my lapel microphone and tested the clicker for my slides, I wondered how they would respond. Will they feel safe to share their own stories? New to public speaking, the risk of being unable to connect with audiences is great. It happens. I am outside my comfort zone as I scanned their faces – younger, older, fresh out of school, from a kaleidoscope of countries in anticipation of what I was about to say. I took stock of their body language. The moment of truth has arrived. Like a Swiss army knife, I searched for “the right tools, the right words” to set the stage and with a deep breath, I started.

“So you already made up your mind whether you like me or not.” And they laughed as I breathed out and smiled. A few frowned with disapproval while others nodded with empathy. That night our library patrons were keen, wanting to be heard and sharing their experiences. Their questions stirred debate and I was thrilled with their engagement.

I am reminded of Stephen R. Covey’s quote in his “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. “Valuing our differences is the essence of synergy…. And the key to valuing those differences is to realize that all people see the world, not as it is, but as they are.”

And my topic? “Network: Anywhere Anytime with Anyone”, a unique perspective on meeting new people … in real life #IRL while decency, diversity, and dignity lives on at the Library.

Library People

When did you last visit your public library branch? DYK our libraries create opportunities to learn, engage, and build new relationships, forming new communities?

But DYK libraries offer so much more?

Networking Anytime Anywhere with Anyone at the Library — Networking – Top: #bloorgladstone last night and Bottom: #agincourtlibrary one week ago

Have you observed the patrons who go in and out the doors? It was closing time last night #bloorgladstone . I let the last patron go ahead of me on my way out. Where will he go next with his belongings overflowing in his small cart?

Most mornings, I head for the 4th floor #torontoreferencelibrary to get my key for “The Writer’s Room” to learn more👉 https://bit.ly/2JpHlJw I walk past another regular patron. I see him because he is always at “his table” face down with his belongings scattered around him. I try to find small ways to help – food, some small token of hope. For us, the Library is home, office, a safe space to rest, to create, to be.

Since 2013 I have the privilege of collaborating with #torontolibrary . I try my best to #payitforward because the Library has given me much more than I could possibly hope to give back. #abundance #gratitude

Why not visit your branch – find it here 👉 https://bit.ly/2u9K7MF today and share your #userexperience ? #howtobehuman #befearless #wisdom

The Power of The Library

As the “Illustrator – , Writer – , Innovator – , Entrepreneur – , or Comic Artist – in – Residence” at the Toronto Public Library, we are privileged to have and to hold a platform to help empower all library patrons from all walks of life and countries who come through our doors .

It’s been five years since I was the second Entrepreneur-in-Residence in the Small Business Program thanks to the good grace and kind generosity of the late Norman G. Hinton who left a large legacy for the Library in 2009. His remarkable story can be found here.

This week I was part of the audience and as I scanned the learning theatre and am reminded of the importance of our patrons’ perspective. They are diverse and at times, our patrons come from (very) modest neighbourhoods and other times, not so modest. The entire world walks through those doors.

When did you last visit your local library? If it’s been awhile, you will be delightfully surprised to find that the Library has become a place for innovation, a place for story-telling, and a place for sharing knowledge. Branches may have a Fabrication Studio, Digital Innovation Hubs, a Writers’ Room not to mention free access to digital software, hardware, tablets, laptops, equipment such as light therapy lamps, Museum and Arts Pass, musical instruments, book printing service and so much more.

You might also notice that the Library is a safe and warm place, a sanctuary where the hinges literally have come off to facilitate open doors as reflected in the official Mission Statement and “provides free and equitable access to services which meet the changing needs of Torontonians. The Library preserves and promotes universal access to a broad range of human knowledge, experience, information and ideas in a welcoming and supportive environment.”

Having a residency or being a guest speaker at the Library is a humbling honour.

We are here to serve our patrons and be sensitive to their needs. It is their agenda we seek to help make successful and this requires a certain level of awareness, care, and compassion.

There is one thing that is not on loan from the Library and therefore, has no expiry date. When patrons leave the Library, they leave with a sense of dignity and dignity cannot be borrowed. At the Library, dignity is granted.