Tuesday, March 9, 2010

North York Central Library Almost Ready!

As one of Toronto's largest libraries, the North York Central branch is almost ready to join the Chess in the Library network. One small piece of the project needs to be filled in before we can announce a firm "yes" to everyone supporting and following the program.

However, do not be disappointed because the librarians, volunteers and I have all made a tremendous progress in regards to the program at the North York Central Library since my last update about the program there.

If all goes well, the Chess in the Library program will run weekly in a slightly smaller room and monthly in a larger room due to the following formula. :)

The formula works this way:
large library = many rooms + tight bookings = must book the rooms early

I want to take this opportunity to thank the librarians and volunteers at the North York Central Library for working so hard during the past few months to get the program set up.

Stay tuned for updates on the program at NYCL!!!

New Library Alert!

Chess in the Library is expanding to another location - Humberwood Library!! The librarians and I started talking about chess club possibilities at the Humberwood branch for half a year now, and finally it's going to start running! Isn't that exciting?

We've confirmed to start the program there on March 27th, 2010. That's only 2 weeks away! We will still need to do some advertising, however, the volunteers are already all in place and ready to go.

The Humberwood Library is located on the far west end of Toronto. We are definitely spreading this program in all areas of Toronto!

We welcome you to come on down to the Humberwood Library to play some chess on our opening day - March 27th. The program will run every Saturday from 2-4pm. Below are the details of that branch:

850 Humberwood Blvd.
Toronto, ON
M9W 7A6
416-394-5210

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Downsview Library Joins the Network

A while ago, we received an email from a librarian at the Downsview Library asking for support from the Chess in the Library team. Their chess club has just started and they hope to teach the kids not only the basic rules, but some "advanced techniques" as well. Hearing this news, the Chess in the Library team was most definitely willing to provide aid.

Since we have many volunteers that are chess masters, we have no problem with teaching the kids. As a matter of fact, we're already started doing some teaching within our own system after receiving the demo boards donation. Thus, we've decided that one of our volunteer will go to the Downsview Library to teach the kids once in a while. We'll also provide support with one of our demo boards, which is essential to teaching chess.

Although this case is a bit different - we're providing aid instead of helping to start up a chess club, it doesn't mean that the Downsview chess club is an outsider to our organization. Since we will give them our full support, the chess club at Downsview is now a part of our Chess in the Library network!! Downsview chess club, welcome to the big happy family! =)

Please support the Chess in the Library program by coming down to the Downsview Library to play some chess! Here's the info:

Downsview Library
2793 Keele St. (*Closest major intersection: Keele St. and Wilson Ave.)
Toronto, ON,
M3M 2G3
416-395-5720


Chess club opens on Monday nights from 6:30-7:30pm for now and 7:00pm-8:00pm starting from April 5th, 2010.