Will the next great Canadian bestseller be written in the Toronto Public Library?
With its new
writers room, the TPL is hoping that the space will deliver the resources and perhaps even the inspiration for writers in the midst of producing their next opus.
Part of the five-year $33-million renovation of Toronto Reference Library at Yonge north of Bloor, the space has work stations for four writers at a time on the condition that they commit to using the library to research their projects.
“We want to support writing and writers and we want to encourage writer who will make use of our collection,” says Janice Lavery, department head of Languages and Literature at the reference library. “We’d love it if somebody wrote a big famous book that became a bestseller. That would be fantastic. It would be like winning the lottery. But we’re happy if any writers who meet our criteria can use it.” Though the space isn’t aimed at students, the application process doesn’t judge the merits of projects.
Working writers who can demonstrate that accessing the collection would be useful to their endeavours can apply to use the room for four hours a day for a period of three months. As well as a bring-your-own-computer work space, the room has a small lounge where writers can mingle, perhaps to share ideas and frustrations. The room has natural light, wifi and electrical outlets. The library also has a room for its ongoing writer-in-residence program and a meeting room that can be used for readings and small gatherings.
Among the first half-dozen applicants, one is working on an environmental project, one is writing nonfiction while another is writing a book of fiction aimed at young adults.
Though this is the TPL’s first dedicated writers’ space, it’s an idea that’s been tried in other cities.
Writer: Paul Gallant
Source: Janice Lavery