Our Programs
Beyond gathering and giving away gently used and new books, The Children’s Book Bank’s impact continues to expand by utilizing our inventory to support enhanced literary programming both at our storefront and with our various community partners.
Storytimes for Students
Free field trips for schools, daycares and summer camps. The program includes an entertaining story time followed by browsing and choosing a free book to take home. In 2019, we hosted 687 trips at the Book Bank. If you would like to book a field trip for your students/group, please click here.
After School Activities
After school is one of our busiest times of the day. Children and families can participate in our special events, like Harry Potter Book Night, Halloween at the BoOOOok Bank, our annual Summer Reading Program, and more! Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and sign up for our newsletter to find out what else we are doing at the Book Bank and in the community.
Saturday Storytimes
Open from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm every Saturday during the school year, our 11:30 am and 1:30 pm storytimes are designed to be enjoyed by families on a drop-in basis.
Dictionaries for Newcomers
It’s important to access a physical dictionary when learning a new language like English. The Children’s Book Bank purchases new dictionaries with a discount from Scholastic Canada and with help from donors. Dictionaries for Newcomers is sponsored by Carrot Common.
Readers to Leaders
Each year we hire local high school students to work in our storefront. These students gain customer service work experience in an environment which they might know well from past visits.
Teen Book Bank
We now have a beautiful dedicated space just for our teen readers. Teens (12 – 18 yrs) are welcome to stop in to browse the shelves, sit and read, and leave with a book of your choice - for FREE.
School Holiday Programs
The Book Bank is open the second week of the winter holiday, March Break, on PA Days and all summer long. We offer fun family-oriented programming, as well as a regular storytimes.
Books Across The City
Every month, we distribute thousands of books to help support the programming at literacy centres across Toronto, including Albion Neighbourhood Services in Rexdale; Macaulay Child Development Centre in the Eglinton Humber area; East York East Toronto Family Resources in Crescent Town, Sackville and Cosburn neighbourhoods; TNO – The Neighbourhood Organization in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park. We also support hundreds of other social agencies like The 519, Parents for Better Beginnings, Native Child and Family Services, the Muslim Welfare Centre, EarlyON centres, food banks and newcomer programs, and others.
“Reading should not be presented to children as a chore, a duty. It should be offered as a gift.”
- Kate DiCamillo
Events
The Children’s Book Bank hosts a variety of events at their storefront and at events across the city to promote their mission and share the love books and reading.
A Story Night
Our annual fundraising event. Enjoy an evening of great literary conversation with notable authors and the Book Bank team, all in support of The Children’s Book Bank. This year’s event has been postponed until further notice due to COVID-19.
Annual Book Sale
Our annual book sale is hosted at the Cabbagetown Festival in September. We sell an amazing selection of gently used and new adult fiction and non-fiction books at great prices. This year’s sale has been postponed due to COVID-19.
Upcoming Events
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