Toronto Public Library - Malvern Branch

Really good books and some good staff but tpl programs and resources should be improved, Some staff are helpful but not all.... I feel that staff should be more kind and more respectful at this branch and not so rude. "Treat others the way you want to be treated." Out of positive feedback.

Grateful to Toronto Public Library - Malvern Branch organizers and Chef David Wolfman for last Saturday, September 27th, event "Cooking with Spirit: Stories, Flavours & Traditions of Indigenous Fusion Cuisine" and the book our family received at the draw "Cooking with the Wolfman: Indigenous Fusion" by David Wolfman & Marlene Finn.

It was an inspiring, informative, refreshing, connecting time 🌱 with a great sense of humour and openness.

One of my takeaways:
"Sharing food is healing." Chef David Wolfman

Highly recommend you check out Indigenous events and all events at TPL in your community and further.

The room for the event was cozy and spacious for all abilities. The staff everywhere and especially in the room was accommodating, kind and gracious. The library has multiple areas for studying/reading and also space for little ones.

All present had patience with us, especially at the end when we wanted to take memorable photos from this one-of-a-kind event.💝🙏 Deep appreciation!

More on my experience:

My little one S. was squirreling🐿 in my arms. I had to go with her find a book. From the second pile we looked at she spotted a pink ribbon. When we got the book out I noticed it was a famous book I heard: "Anne of the Green Gables" - finally I will get to read it too! Who knew we'd find this beautifully illustrated book on such a lovely day?

At the end my raffle number won one of Chef David's books!😃🪽 You never know what life puts in fron of you unless you show up...

My youngest son found a recipe before the event ended: "Mom, I think we can do this one." I baked it that evening after everyone went to bed. We put the icing the next afternoon before our "Family Meeting" and we celebrated by eating 1... or 2 slices each😅. Delicious Maple Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Icing! I rarely bake cakes. This was by far the best I ever did! I missed adding 2 spices yet it wasn't noticeable😋.

A neighbour got 4 slices too (I had to borrow a cake mold) and she wants the recipe 😅 A gift that keeps on giving! That's part of the teaching of that day✨️

What did we learn from Chef David Wolfman's event?

🌱Flexibility
🌱Listening
🌱Curiosity
🌱Life can be surprising when we raise to the occasion
🌱TPL has great free events, great people
🌱Indigenous way of living, cooking, eating, healing
🌱Indigenous and life wisdom, common sense
🌱 "Cooking with the Wolfman: Indigenous Fusion" is one of my favourite cooking books now

I grew up in this library I come back to Malvern a lot but on the morning of May 23rd I decided to come to this library instead of the one closer to home. Not only was it nostalgic even though it looks very different now, one thing remained the same. The people here are willing to help. At my regular library I am never asked if I would like to check out, they always send me to self checkout but this morning I came here and even though I had my books on the self checkout counter I was asked if I wanted to check out by the girl at the counter. She even stopped her conversation with another employee to help me. Kindness is a beautiful thing. The Malvern community has a reason to be proud of the people within these walls. Thank you to all the people who offered up smiles behind the counter. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Great selection of books. Easy to apply for a library card and it's completely free, easy to check-out and return books too.

On several occasions I've visited, it can be noisy but tolerable. It would be more pleasant if they impose minimal to no noise policy so other people don't get distracted.

Most of the staff who assisted me so far are corteous.

This location is an excellent spot to focus on your work. It features rows of individual study desks and an extensive collection of books. Additionally, the library boasts accommodating hours and a helpful, friendly staff. Although the library-goers tend to maintain a peaceful atmosphere, there is occasional disruption caused by local children seeking attention and creating disturbances. However, this doesn't detract from the positive experience of seeing young people utilize the library. One minor drawback is that nearby students often visit to socialize and can be loud, but this is not the library's fault. The library also provides security, restrooms, and computers.

Overall, libraries are a valuable resource for communities. They offer a free indoor public space where individuals can gather without the expectation of spending money. Personally, my children enjoy visiting this library every couple of weeks to check out and read books. It's crucial to preserve and support our libraries