Resources for Teachers & Parents
We have books, homework help and online tools to support students of all ages and their teachers, parents and caregivers.
Check out our latest newsletter for elementary school educators (PDF) for more resources and opportunities that support children’s learning, literacy and engagement!
Homework help
Online homework help, lessons and practice tests. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (excluding holidays).
Find free resources, online courses, tutoring and study space.
Books and videos for all your research needs. Full-text articles from newspapers, magazines and journals.
We suggest
Leading to Reading
Grades 1 to 6
Build your child's reading confidence with one-to-one help and encouragement. Apply today!
Books & more
Build important pre-reading skills with easy everyday activities and books for children ages five and under.
Recommended titles for beginning and early readers.
New and popular books for kids in middle grades.
Books and reading recommendations for teens.
Ebooks and audiobooks for young readers.
Borrow multiple copies of the same book for group reads and discussions.
Kids and their families can listen to a story by phone at any time of day.
We suggest
How to Teach Kids about Equity and Diversity
Books are a wonderful way to introduce big ideas and important topics to kids! Use these recommended titles as discussion starters.
Reading lists
A selection of awards celebrating excellence in children’s literature, including the Newbery Medal and the Forest of Reading awards.
Explore picture books, novels and nonfiction featuring positive portrayals of people with different abilities.
Discover books for all ages about Black and Caribbean historical and cultural experiences, with a special emphasis on Canadian content.
Find your next great read and watch video reviews from teens.
Celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ communities with rainbow reads for all ages and reading levels.
Explore stories for all ages by Indigenous authors, writers, illustrators and knowledge keepers.
We suggest
Books about Media Literacy
Boost critical thinking skills with these books recommended by our children's librarians.
Français | French
Livres, programmes, et autres ressources français à la bibliothèque.
Books, programs and other French resources at the library.
Livres et livres audio numériques en français pour les enfants et adolescents.
French ebooks and audiobooks for children and teens.
Découvrez tous nos nouveaux livres en français.
Find all of our French books, newest first.
Clubs de lecture, heures du conte, activités et bien plus encore.
Book clubs, storytimes, activities and more.
We suggest
Romans pour les jeunes | Novels for kids - Grades 4 to 6
Liste des livres pour les jeunes, recommandés par nos bibliothécaires.
Online activities
Sign up for upcoming programs or watch replays of past events.
Storytimes, author talks, science experiments and other videos.
Solve jigsaw puzzles and learn bits of Ontario history with items from our archives.
Figure out the clues and solve the puzzles at your own pace.
60+ online exhibits highlighting our Special Collections, from Black History in Toronto to retrofuturism.
We suggest
58 Lesson Plans from Archives and Museums for Ontario Educators
Find online lesson plans and educational activities to use in your classroom.
English as a second language
The library offers books, online tools, and classes to help people learn English as a second language.
Library services to help newcomers to Canada.
We suggest
Blog Post: Support for ESL Students
Teens new to Canada or learning English as a second language can get help from the library.
Accessible collections
The library has a wide range of materials in accessible formats. Toronto Public Library card holders with print disabilities can also access the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) collection.
Located at North York Central Library, this reference collection offers books from around the world for and about children and teens with disabilities.
We suggest
Dyslexia-friendly readers
Dyslexia-friendly readers are books formatted to be super-readable, using a specifically-designed font and spacing on thicker, tinted pages.
Getting your library card
Many of our resources require a library card. Anyone living, working or studying in Toronto can get a library card.
To get a full-service library card, you will need to visit an open library branch with valid and current name and address identification.
Toronto residents who are 13 years or older who wish to use our digital resources and services only can sign up online for a Digital Access Card.
Toronto Public Library has permanently ended late fines for everyone, removing a barrier to access and making the library more welcoming to all Torontonians.
Class visits
We offer visits to classrooms and virtual classrooms. When contacting us, please include:
- your name
- the grade you teach and
- the name of the school you teach at
For Kindergarten to Grade 6, contact your school’s local branch. Virtual elementary schools can email childrensservices@tpl.ca.
For Grades 7 to 12, email teenoutreach@tpl.ca.