CHILDREN & FAMILIES
The Children’s Book Bank gives away free books to children ages 0-18 and hosts free programs for children of all ages in our spaces
HOW IT WORKS
There is no registration process, and you do not need to book an appointment.
You and your child(ren) can drop in to choose a free book anytime we are open.
Each person at a Book Bank space can take one book home every day.
The books do not need to be returned.
BOOK BANK RULES
Parents cannot take books without their children present. Please bring your children to the Book Bank to pick out their own books.
Please keep your phone in your pocket when visiting a Book Bank space
Storytimes for Students
Free visits for schools, daycares and summer camps, which include an entertaining storytime followed by browsing and choosing a free book to take home.
Saturday Storytimes
Every Saturday we offer story times that are designed to be enjoyed by families on a drop-in basis. These occur at:
Jane & Finch - Saturdays at 2pm
Morningside - Saturdays at 11:30pm
Regent Park - Saturdays at 11:15am & 1:15pm
Sherbourne - Saturdays at 11:15am & 1pm
Baby Circle Times
A drop-in program for babies (birth-18 months) and their caregivers with stories and songs. These occur at:
Jane & Finch - Thursdays at 10:30am-11am & Saturdays at 11:30am-12pm
Morningside - Tuesdays at 3pm-3:30pm
Regent Park - Mondays at 11am-11:30am & 11:30am-12pm
Sherbourne - Thursdays at 4:30pm-5pm
Dictionaries for Newcomers
It’s important to access a physical dictionary when learning a new language like English. The Book Bank purchases new dictionaries with a discount from Scholastic Publishers and with help from donors.
Readers to Leaders
Each year, we hire local high school students to work in our storefronts. These students gain customer service work experience in an environment which they might know well from past visits.
School Holiday Programs
The Children's 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 storytime.
Books Across The City
Every month, we distribute over 6,000 books to help support the programming at literacy centres, food banks, shelters, schools, and other like-minded organizations throughout Toronto. Our focus is on the neighbourhoods in and around Regent Park, Thorncliffe Park, East Scarborough, Mount Dennis/York, and the North York Area.