• 2015-09-27

On September 24, Director General Tseng, University Librarian of National Taiwan University Library Professor Sherry Chen, and Director Hsiao-ming Yu of NCL’s Special Collections Division visited a branch of the Toronto Public Library called the Toronto Reference Library, as well as York University Library. Accompanying them were Dr. Jack Leong, Librarian of the Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Stephen Qiao from the Cheng Yu Tung East Asian Library at the University of Toronto, respectively.

The Toronto Public Library has a total of 100 branch libraries, the biggest of which is the Toronto Reference Library established in 1909. With 106 years of history it is one of a few libraries that has a Chinese collection. In recent years, the Toronto Reference Library has become Toronto’s most important public center to provide patrons with better services. With the assistance of the City of Toronto, the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada, and the Toronto Public Library Foundation, “a re:vitalize campaign” was put forth. Director General Tseng and accompanying staff made a special point to observe the new facilities and services, including a 3D printer, training and learning spaces, information stations, and the Sherlock Holmes Special Collections Room. The special collections room has two million historic maps, photographs, and original manuscripts from Canada.

Canada’s York University was established in 1959 and is Canada’s second largest university. A total of five libraries populate the campus, with holdings totaling two million volumes. Director General Tseng and accompanying staff met with York University Librarian Joy Kirchner, Associate University Librarian Catherine Davidson and Mr. Michael B. Moir (University Archivist and Head of Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections). They also viewed the incunabula and an autographed copy of Alice in Wonderland in the library’s special collections.

At the Toronto Reference Library

Discussion rooms in the Toronto Reference Library

Audiovisual area and front desk of the Toronto Reference Library

The Toronto Reference Library’s 3D printer, Expresso Book Machine (Book on Demand) and Information Commonss

The Sherlock Holmes Special Collections Room of the Toronto Reference Library

The Reading room of the Toronto Reference Library

Director General Tseng and party together with their tour guide Mary Rae Shantz, manager of Special Collections, Archives and Digital Collections (middle) and Librarian Jack Leong.

At the York University library

The York University library has a variety of open areas for reading and studying.

Director General Tseng and party meet with York University Librarian Joy Kirchner (with dark blue coat), Assistant Librarian Catherine Davidson, and Special Collection Director Michael B. Moir.

Mr. Michael B. Moir shows rare holdings in their possession: incunabula (top right) and an autographed copy of Alice in Wonderland (bottom row)

Director General Tseng and party at York University Library