Living History Resource to be Created in Black Creek

Toronto Public Library spearheads initiative with local teens and seniors

TORONTO, Aug. 13 /CNW/ - The York Woods Branch (1785 Finch Avenue West) of the Toronto Public Library is bringing the past to life through their new Black Creek Living History project. Local seniors and teens will work together to create a resource that will preserve the unique history of this diverse and vibrant Toronto neighbourhood.

"This is an exciting project and a great opportunity for the community to celebrate its past," said Jessica Rovito, a librarian at the York Woods Branch. "We want the community to be involved in telling their own stories and preserving them for years to come."

Seniors are invited to share their stories, past and present, about living in the Black Creek community. Their photographs, letters and other personal items will also help build the history resource. Teens will learn how to conduct interviews and use digital audio and video equipment to record and edit the seniors' stories.

"Through the interviews with the seniors, the teens will acquire new skills and learn first hand about the community they live in," said Rovito. "They will also earn community service hours and receive a reference letter from the library."

The collected stories and resources will be available on a Black Creek Living History website. A formal exhibit will be presented at a Living History event, which will be held at the York Woods Branch. The project will also include a series of talks on local history subjects and a bus tour to historical sites in the Black Creek community. Transportation costs for seniors and youth participating in the project will be provided.

The Black Creek community includes the area north of Hwy. 401, east of Weston Road, west of Keele Street and south of Steeles Avenue. It is served by both the York Woods Branch and the new Jane/Sheppard Branch (1906 Sheppard Avenue West). The project is funded in part by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors program.

For more information or to be involved in the project, contact the York Woods Branch at 416-395-5980 or [email protected].

Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 17.5 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow more than 31 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.

For further information: Media Contact: Anne Marie Aikins, Manager, Corporate Communications, 416-393-7212, [email protected]