Toronto - Famous fans of the Toronto Reference Library are singing its praises in a new initiative sponsored by the Toronto Public Library Foundation. Look Who's in the Stacks is a poster campaign featuring testimonials by seven prominent Torontonians. Former Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson, actor Nicholas Campbell, writers Margaret Atwood and Austin Clarke, Mayor David Miller, former mayor David Crombie and singer/songwriter k-os have all contributed stories about what the Reference library means to them. The posters can be seen in select subway stops, as well as restaurants, shops and intersections across the city. 

"I was happy to lend my name to such a great institution", says Nicholas Campbell, who played Da Vinci on CBC Television for seven years. "I come to the Reference Library all the time to do research.  Third floor, row 92, that's my spot. The resources and staff are terrific – I couldn't do my film work without them."

Adrienne Clarkson talks about the wide range of information available at the Reference Library. "It's such a great repository of knowledge," she says. "You can research the role of the Governor General there, as I did, or you can just wander in and find out what kind of rocks those are up at the cottage."

The Look Who's in the Stacks campaign is funded by the Toronto Public Library Foundation. "As the Library Foundation embarks on a capital campaign in 2008 to help fund a $30 million renovation to the Reference Library, we felt it was important to draw Torontonians' attention to the incredible treasures in the library in this, its 30th anniversary year," says Toronto Public Foundation President Heather Rumball. "Many know and love the Toronto Reference Library as a place for research and study, but it really is so much more, and is such a critical institution for building and sustaining a strong and vital city."

Throughout the months of October and November, the Toronto Reference Library is hosting a series of events, programs and exhibits in celebration of its 30th anniversary. For details, visit www.fiftymilesofideas.ca.
 
Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 17 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow more than 30 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.