Speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy and horror) is usually seen as a boy's club. But women have been contributing to these genres for just as long. Women have taken part in every level of the creation of speculative fiction, from writing to editing to illustrating. The Merril Collection of Science... Continue reading

They say never to judge a book by its cover, but who are we kidding? Cover art and illustration are gateways into story, beckoning to us from across the crowded shelves. The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy is celebrating artists in a new exhibit, Drawn from the... Continue reading

Born in 1922, Stan Lee would have turned 100 this year. He died in 2018, just one month shy of his 96th birthday. Lee presided over a period of intense creativity at Marvel Comics. With a talented team of artists, Stan Lee produced some of the most beloved comics characters... Continue reading

I'm rereading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Maybe you are as well? With a TV adaptation currently airing on Amazon Prime, Wheel of Time is in the spotlight again. I've been meaning to reread the series ever since the last book came out in 2013. It has... Continue reading

With a new movie adaptation coming out of Frank Herbert's Dune, there's no better time to celebrate it. Published in 1965, Dune has never been out of print and is regarded as one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time. It has taken many forms over the years,... Continue reading

Libraries are finally open for browsing! Celebrate books and libraries at the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy with our current exhibit, Bibliofantasies: The Secret Lives of Books. Discover the great power of books and those who guard them. This exhibit is open from July 19 to October... Continue reading

Working at the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy, I get to see a lot of new books. One thing I've noticed is the huge increase of LGBTQ2S+ representation in the genres. Authors are creating worlds full of queer characters. And there is a proliferation of LGBTQ2S+ writers... Continue reading

TPL's branches may be closed for browsing and reference during the Grey-Lockdown, but there are still ways to explore our Special Collections. The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy has over one hundred books in its Digital Archive, with more coming later this year. Here are a few... Continue reading

Fairy tale retellings are one of my favourite types of story. That's why I'm thrilled that Gregory Maguire will be giving a lecture on Thursday November 14, 2019, at the Lillian H. Smith Branch. Hosted by the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books, this is the 32nd Annual Helen E.... Continue reading

The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy is proud to host this year’s Black Speculative Arts Movement (BSAM) Toronto Convention. Please join us there at Lillian H. Smith branch on Saturday, October 12, from 1-5 pm. This special event will feature a panel discussion, live music, cosplay, workshops,... Continue reading

Picture a city. What do you see? There is gray asphalt, soaring skyscrapers, the muggy darkness of subway tunnels, graffiti. Do you see the magic? Walk past the man muttering spells under his breath to protect the neighbourhood. Jump over a pile of leaves in the gutter. It conceals a... Continue reading

We invite you to the exhibit All Join In!: Children's Books and Art about Families, located at the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books on the fourth floor of Lillian H. Smith Branch. This exhibit celebrates the family in children’s literature, from the families we are born into to the... Continue reading

July 31 is the birthday of both J.K. Rowling and her beloved character, Harry Potter. It is also known to many as International Harry Potter Day. We want to celebrate today by remembering a very special trip Rowling took to Toronto, many years ago. J. K. Rowling at the White... Continue reading

On Saturday July 27, 2019, the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy will host Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) Day from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Come for a talk on table-top roleplaying games (RPGs) and stay for a game and a chance to see some treasures of the... Continue reading

Fifty years ago, on July 20, 1969, two American astronauts became the first humans to set foot on the moon. Fly there now with the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy! Fly Me to the Moon is the current exhibit at the Merril Collection. It celebrates the 50th... Continue reading

Nathan Phillips Square and Toronto City Hall by The City of Toronto [CC - BY] Have you ever wanted to work for the City of Toronto? Now is the time to make your dream come true! Come meet with city divisional representatives and more at the annual City of Toronto... Continue reading