I’m still working on returning books on time

Albion Library has undergone a major renovation and now looks completely different from how I remember it from my childhood, yet it still retains the same welcoming, community feel. The library is especially meaningful to me because it serves a low-income priority neighborhood, and it gives me hope whenever I see youth using the hub spaces after school, attending workshops, newcomers booking rooms to prepare for interviews, immigrants accessing employment services, and young adults like me studying for exams. It’s inspiring to see programs that teach skills and connect the wider Rexdale community.

After living outside Canada for over half a decade and returning last year, one of the first things I did was get a Toronto Public Library card. This was a top priority because, while living in East Asia, libraries with extensive English or foreign-language collections were rare. I often had to purchase books online, and new releases were difficult to find since they had to be shipped from overseas. I also didn’t have a community of readers as I do now.

At Albion and TPL in general, I’m deeply grateful for access to new books without the long wait I experienced abroad. At times, it got so overwhelming that I donated books to help others gain access, and I still do. One of the books I donated is I Make My Own Fun by Hannah Beir, though I don’t always take pictures of my donations. I’ve also been fortunate to partner with publishing houses and literary teams to receive advanced copies, which I then share with the TPL community.

I’m still working on returning books on time, but I love that Albion Library is patient with me, offering extensions when needed. Albion Library isn’t just a place to borrow books; it’s a community I’m proud to be part of, and I’m deeply grateful for all it offers.

Submitted by Ese, Albion Branch