Library asks Torontonians: What Book do you Love?

Keep Toronto Reading Festival Kicks Off

with Viral Book-Sharing Campaign

TORONTO, March 5 /CNW/ - This morning, Toronto Public Library launched its fifth annual Keep Toronto Reading Festival, and with it, a campaign to encourage Torontonians to share the books they love. At the forefront of the campaign are 99 "Books We Love" journals, identifiable by their bright red covers. These journals, one for each of the Library's 99 branches, will be launched across the city on March 22. They will roam from place to place and from hand to hand, collecting the thoughts of book lovers all over town.

"Since this festival began," said Mayor David Miller, "I have been wowed by our city's passion for books in all their forms. I know that passion will continue this year, as the library invites us all to share the books we love."

City Librarian Jane Pyper announced that the festival will feature over 80 events at library branches across Toronto.

"Every day, across the city, Toronto Public Library offers free access to books and culture," she said. "And once a year, we host the Keep Toronto Reading Festival, where we invite you to join us, and each other, in celebrating the books you love."

Throughout Keep Toronto Reading month in April, book lovers will get the chance to meet authors, discuss what makes poems work, find out why vampire fiction is so popular, enjoy a delicious food- and wine-tasting, and swap favourite books with Toronto celebrities. They will also be encouraged to recommend books to other readers via write-in bookmarks and video book reviews, to be posted on the festivals' website, keeptorontoreading.ca.

As part of the festival, the library also launched this year's One Book community read, the Toronto Book Award-winning novel More, by Austin Clarke. "This celebrated and compelling novel strikes me as the perfect community read," Mayor Miller said. "It's filled with the sights and sounds of the city. And it offers so much to discuss and debate." Readings and discussions of the book will take place throughout April.

For more information and a complete list of all Keep Toronto Reading events, visit keeptorontoreading.ca, pick up a KTR program and reading guide at any Toronto Public library branch, call Answerline at [phone], or visit your local branch.

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: Edward Karek, Communications Officer, [phone], [email protected]