Toronto Tour

Monday, August 10, 2026

Finish off your IBBY Congress 2026 experience with a trip to Canada’s largest city and visit Toronto through the lens of the world’s largest library system (circulation per capita), the Toronto Public Library. Over the course of the day, you will be introduced to special collections at three branches of the Toronto Public Library, enjoy a few hours exploring a landmark Toronto neighbourhood, and cap it off with a fun evening of Kid Lit Trivia with friends and colleagues.

9:15am – 10:15am: IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities
5120 Yonge Street
Join us at North York Central Library for a tour of the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities. This collection, which includes over 4000 books in 40 languages, contains tactile and adaptive materials for children. This tour will showcase the public-facing collection. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and fragile items from the stacks, as well as a showcase of materials that highlight the possibilities of accessibility. 

11:00am – 12:30pm: Toronto Reference Library: Innovation and Youth Services Department
789 Yonge Street
Explore the Toronto Reference Library on a guided tour that introduces its iconic architecture, unique research collections, and public services. The tour also includes the TD Gallery, Toronto Public Library’s primary exhibition space, featuring free exhibitions drawn from Special Collections and related materials.

12:30pm – 2:30pm: Lunch in Kensington Market
Between Dundas Street West and College Street, west of Spadina Avenue
Immerse yourself in the heart of Toronto’s bohemian culture in Kensington Market.
Restaurants and hole-in-the-wall eateries offering food from all over the world are interspersed with vintage thrift shops, coffee joints, tattoo parlours, bars, art galleries, and Victorian-style houses. The area is part gritty, part chaotic and has tons of personality.

2:30pm – 4:00pm: Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
Lillian H. Smith Branch
239 College Street, 4th floor
The Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Book is a world-leading research collection of rare and notable children’s books. Our 90,000+ items include book-related art, toys, games and archival items on authorship and promotion of books for young readers. A tour visit will include a presentation of the Osborne Collection’s history and notable highlights. 

7:00pm – 9:30pm: KidLit Trivia Night
Duke of York Pub
39 Prince Arthur Ave
Join Toronto’s children’s book community, including local authors and illustrators to test your knowledge of children’s books in a fun and relaxing battle of wits.

Maximum participants: 20

Includes ticket for KidLit Trivia Night
Does not include transportation or meals