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Toronto Public Library Pilgrimage of 100 Branches

North York Central’s First Floor (East Side): Circulation, Browsery, and Children’s

Intense movement and activity characterized North York Central Library’s circulation area when I visited in 2010. Long lines of borrowers resembled busy supermarket queues, and library staff were doing their best to hustle them through the check-out process. At least there were no price checks! (Self-service stations have since reduced the crowding in the entryway).

The restless pace of book borrowing was rendered more frenetic by the overstimulating decor. Bright colours and geometric shapes competed with the press of people and objects, leaving the eye with few places to rest. However, one structure provided a clear visual boundary in a disorienting space. It was a waist-high wall with red tiles.

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Shaped like a letter “s” that just kept on curving at the top and bottom, the red wall demarcated where the browsery ended and the Children’s Section began. Continuing the curve where the wall stopped was a red bookcase that also managed to undulate.

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Behind the red wall was a yellow castle tower with green eaves and a semi-open roof made of green boards arranged in a radial pattern. A gold ball capped the centre of the castle roof, which was approximately eight feet high.

On the floor near the entrance to the story-castle was a stone sculpture titled “Mother Bear and Cub” by E. B. Cox. This small but solid art object had inspired many young expressive artists, judging by the wild streaks of green, red, burgundy, pink, and turquoise crayon that decorated the stone bears. In my view, the colourful dialogue between sculptor and viewers validated the sculpture and further enhanced its appeal.

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When I went to look inside the castle, I was delighted to discover four aquariums on the shelves. These fish tanks had been placed at mid-level on the castle wall, and underneath the shelves were two reading cupboards without doors. With cushions at floor level, the cubby-holes were the perfect size for a parent and child to crawl into and share a story. At the back of the reading nooks were wooden bars that created a non-threatening dungeon effect.

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The fanciful tower wasn’t the only story venue at North York Central’s Children’s Section; it also boasted a separate story-room. On the day I visited in 2010, the room was packed with youngsters and their caregivers listening to an animated educator. After she finished her story, she led the audience in a rousing rendition of “I’m a Little Teapot.” Nearby shelves contained more serious fare, such as The House that Crack Built.

IMG_7851On the east wall near the story-room was a striking piece of art carved in the shape of an abstract tree with branches that arched up and out. Created by K. and L. Rix, the sculpture’s branches and leaves contained a vast range of figures from the animal kingdom, fairy-tales, myths, and First Nations and Inuit culture.

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IMG_7878IMG_7892It took me at least ten minutes to absorb the riot of images, for they were packed together in such close proximity that they competed for attention. Inhabiting the tree were the following entities: a winged mouse, a dinosaur, a jester, Pegasus, a giant beaver next to a longhouse, a Viking ship, Pan, a snake wearing a hat, a fairy godmother, a canoe, a peacock, a frog, a woodcutter, a yam-child, a warrior, a goddess, some bulls, a cat, and a queen (among others).

IMG_7889IMG_7876IMG_7917If I needed to learn more about frog kings or jesters, I could step right over to the large Children’s Literature Reference Section on the west wall, a category which I hadn’t seen at any other TPL branch (although Lillian H. Smith branch has a Children’s Literature Resource Collection). Equally impressive was a large collection of children’s books in French, German, Hindi, Chinese, Korean, and Russian. A smaller number of materials was also available in Arabic, Persian, Serbian, Japanese, and Spanish.

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The final interesting feature on the first floor was a Kid’s Help Desk that combined whimsicality with informativeness. The curved desk was framed by claw-shaped side columns topped by teddy bears. A  moose head loomed over the librarians’ heads, a creature with so much natural authority that no patron would ever venture to comment on his dangle antler-rings or sparkly wreath.

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Bidding good-bye to the moose and a monkey clutching a library program guide, I directed my steps to the Concourse Level.

4 replies on “North York Central’s First Floor (East Side): Circulation, Browsery, and Children’s”

I work in this Children’s Department and you have showed it off beautifully for us! I’ve never seen such lovely pictures – the colours come across beautifully. I need to look more closely at the story tree – you have made it so enticing. many thanks, S.

Sharon, I am delighted that you enjoyed the post and its pictures. The story tree is indeed a wonder to behold! It must be fun to work in such a dynamic place.

One of our favourite places. Thank you for sharing your visit with the world.

They’ve recently done some changes to accommodate and showcase the new IBBY collection if you make another trip back, try to get those. Plus, ask if you can document the ‘story room’, it is behind the glass next to the story tree.

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