by Kait Fowlie
Think the best part of the public library is the air conditioning? WRONG! Libraries offer oodles of FREE opportunities for glee and merriment, such as workshops, author lectures and book signings, and classes. Rediscovering your favourite childhood hangout has many great benefits this summer, and we put together a list of specific reasons they are worth investigation!

1. Authors are always around, doing book signings and providing fans with an opportunity to pick their brains. Here are some gems:

Can’t get enough Igor? Author Richard Poplak and illustrator Nick Marinkovich will be discussing their bad ass graphic novel “Kenk, A Graphic Portrait” July 31st at 2:30 at the Toronto Reference Library. A spoken word performance by two members of the Toronto Writers Co-op will follow.

Carl Hiaasen and novelist and former Star columnist Linwood Barclay will be at the Toronto Reference Library July 29th from 7 – 8:30 pm for a Q&A, book sale and signing.

Author / illustrator David Anderson will be doing a meet and greet, discussing how his early years in Africa inspired his career, (and giving a lesson on drawing wildlife!) August 5th, 2 – 3 pm at Agincourt Branch (Kennedy and Sheppard).

The editors of Broken Pencil Magazine and special guests are running a tour of the zine collection at the Toronto Reference Library (Bloor and Yonge) September 21st at 7 pm. It will be followed by a discussion of the past and future of print culture. Bring used zines to donate to the collection! Prizes are also up for grabs.

2. Libraries make it easy to learn a little more about your hood, and support your local scene.
The 3 Greek sisters from the Danforth will talk about growing up in Greek-town, penning a Greek cookbook, and discussing the benefits of going Greek! Add this event to your Taste of the Danforth agenda, August 7th at 1 pm at the Pape / Danforth branch

3. Libraries are an opportunity for you to give back to your community, support literary initiatives and help kids!
From July 15 – August 26th, the Pape and Danforth branch needs volunteers for one hour per week to help provide individualized help for children grades 2 – 6 with reading at the library for their summer Learning to Read program.

4. There are workshops of all descriptions to help you achieve great things! The library wants you to succeed!
Yes, the library even has Yoga classes. Laughter yoga, a new revelation in body-mind medicine, will go on July 24th and July 31st at 2:20 at the York Woods branch (Finch Ave. West)

Listen to different viewpoints and become better informed about urban issues that matter to the city dwelling voter at the Toronto Reference Library, September 15th and 29th at 7 pm.

A mixed Media art class focusing on ink, watercolours and pen will be led by Asha, a Toronto based artist, September 15th at the Don Mills Branch (Lawrence and Don Mills)

5. If you’re feeling disillusioned about the workplace and your career, the library can help!
Learning about career resources and how to make a plan in the short term and long term is easy with this workshop, run by Sean Tan of the Ontario College of Technology. August 27th at 2 pm at the Bloor and Gladstone branch.

Hidden Job Market news is revealed, as well as labour market trends and employers in the city at this workshop for those wishing to achieve a better grip on not so common career info. September 8th, at 1 pm at the Toronto Reference Library.

Wednesdays from 1 – 5 and Thursdays from 9 – 1, one on one employment counselling will be offered at the Bloor and Gladstone branch. Drop by for some productive hangouts with Skills for Change employment specialists. They can help you if your cover letter and resume writing skills are hurtin’.

6. Library Book Clubs make it easy to stay on top of summer reading, even when you are distracted by pool hoppin’ and 40-sippin’.
The variety of Toronto Public library book discussion groups will keep your intellectual side stimulated during the long, aimless summer months. Check out the list of branch – specific clubs so you can geek out with some other readers in your hood. http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/rec_clu_book_groups.jsp

TPL also has an online book club! Check it out here: http://bookbuzz.torontopubliclibrary.ca/index.html

If you’re the kind of person who likes reading and fancies the idea of a book club, but can’t stomach someone else’s due dates and schedule, visit the Toronto Public Library website for tips on how to start your own book club. http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/rec_clu_tips.jsp

7. If you are a hardcore specialized geeker-outer, the library has in depth, one of a kind collections.
Unique collections at the TPL are as follows:
LGBT collection (Yorkville branch)

The Jewish Mosaic collection (Barbara Frum branch at Pape and Danforth)

Native Peoples collection (Spadina road Library, North York central library and the Reference Library)

Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage collection (Malvern branch at Sheppard and Neilson, Maria A. Schuka at Dufferin and Eglinton, Parkdale at Queen and Dufferin and York Woods at Jane and Finch).

Performance Arts Center (Toronto Reference Library)

The Merril Collection of science fiction, speculation and fantasy (Lillian H. Smith branch at College and Spadina)

8. If you have a serious brain child on the go, the library can facilitate your venue needs.
The TPL provides free spaces for artists to display their work at 11 branches. For submission details check out their site: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/spe_ser_artspace_index.jsp

If your sweaty apartment is hindering your musical vision, piano / practice rooms are available at these branches: North York Central Library, Parkdale, Parliament Street, Toronto Reference Library.

Theatres are available for rental at these branches: Fairview, Palmerston, York Woods for about $100 per day. Current audition info and schedules are also up for grabs on the 5th floor of the Toronto Reference Library.