Library Settlement Partnership

History

In October 2008, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Toronto Public Library joined forces to create the Library Settlement Partnership (LSP) to provide settlement services in public libraries. The program extends settlement services beyond traditional service points such as the agencies’ offices, and makes the service more accessible through extended hours and weekend service and through its location in a very visible and public space–the public library branches. One of the components of the LSP program is effective outreach, which helps inform clients of the availability of services in their community. Creating a sense of familiarity and belonging within the community through public library branches improves the long-term settlement process and helps with social and cultural integration. Services include one-on-one settlement counselling, presentations and workshops for newcomers, and referrals in collaboration with librarians and other colleagues in the community service sector.

Locations

There are three full-time settlement workers–one who speaks Tagalog at the Eatonville library (430 Burnhamthorpe Road, Toronto), a Mandarin speaking worker at the Lillian H. Smith library (239 College Street, Toronto), and one who speaks Spanish at the Mimico library (47 Station Road, Toronto).

Services

There are many different types of workshops that clients can participate in. On average, there are two workshops per month at each library. We collaborate with the existing libraries and the surrounding community agencies to develop and deliver workshops that are relevant to the newcomer community. Upcoming workshops can be found by looking at our activities section of our Web site.