The Book Lover’s Ball 10th Anniversary celebration features first-ever After Party, February 5

(News Release)

The Page-Turning Excitement Continues with Curated Entertainment from Jason Collett’s Basement Revue

Maureen Jennings, Jamie Kennedy, and Miriam Toews Among Nearly 60 Featured Authors Attending

TORONTO, Jan. 19, 2015 – Celebrating its 10th anniversary, The Book Lover’s Ball will be held amongst the stacks of the Toronto Reference Library for the first time. Bigger than ever,

The Book Lover’s Ball extends the excitement with the first after party, After Dark, featuring curated entertainment from the acclaimed music and literary hybrid experience Jason Collett’s Basement Revue.

Presented by Toronto Public Library Foundation and TD Bank Group, The Book Lover’s Ball and After Dark take place on February 5, 2015. After Dark will also include special surprise performances, dancing, specialty cocktails and canapés, and interactive, literary-inspired activities – such as a short game of Scrabble against an author. After Dark kicks off at 9 p.m. and separate tickets are available for $100 at www.bookloversball.ca.

At the Ball, hundreds of literary enthusiasts will mingle with nearly 60 of Canada’s top authors over a cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres designed by Toronto chef Jamie Kennedy, followed by a fine dining experience with an author at each table. Author guests will include Maureen Jennings (Murdoch Mysteries), 2014 Writer’s Trust Award winner Miriam Toews (A Complicated Kindness), Claire Cameron (The Bear), Michael Winter (Minister Without Portfolio), Andrew Pyper (The Killing Circle; The Demonologist), musician Carl Dixon (Strange Way to Live), and Guy Gavriel Kay (Under Heaven).

The Book Lover’s Ball will transport guests to a world of romance, mystery, science fiction and fantasy as they encounter favourite fictional characters like Harry Potter, Romeo and Juliet, Sherlock Holmes and Watson, and Peter Pan and Captain Hook, portrayed by local Toronto actors.

The evening’s silent auction will offer one-of-a-kind opportunities including several book club experiences with an author and a group of friends, travel packages and a chance to Adopt a Branch.

Since its inception, The Book Lover’s Ball has raised over $3.6 million in support exemplary collections; ground breaking programs and services; and innovative community spaces. The Library’s 100th branch will open its doors in Spring 2015.

The overwhelming support from Book Lover’s Ball attendees over the past decade has enabled the Toronto Public Library Foundation to help Toronto’s Library thrive by ensuring Torontonians have access to the best programs, services and resources possible,” said Heather Rumball, President of Toronto Public Library Foundation. “We’re thrilled to be offering our guests a 10th Anniversary Book Lover’s Ball celebration like never before.”

Over 72 per cent of Toronto’s adult population uses the Library, one of the busiest urban public library systems in the world. A survey conducted by the Martin Prosperity Institute of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto shows that Toronto Public Library creates over $1 billion in total economic impact for the City of Toronto. And every $1 invested in the Library generates $5.63 in value for Torontonians.

To inquire about tables or tickets, contact Mimosa Kabir at 416-393-7237 or

mkabir@torontopubliclibrary.ca or visit www.bookloversball.ca.

The 2015 Book Lover’s Ball is generously sponsored by TD Bank Group, Whitehots Inc., OSSTF, Harlequin, Friesens Corporation, Manulife Financial, CBC, Toronto Star, Toronto Life, Four Seasons and Parcel Design.

About Toronto Public Library Foundation

The Foundation raises financial support from individuals and corporations to provide essential

resources for the enhancement of Toronto Public Library and to allocate funds to priority needs not supported by municipal funding. To learn more about the Toronto Public Library Foundation, visit www.tplfoundation.ca.

About Toronto Public Library

Toronto Public Library is one of the world's busiest urban public library. Every year, there are 18.5 million branch visits in neighbourhoods across the city and 32 million items are borrowed. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit the website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131. To get the most current updates on what's happening at the library, follow @torontolibrary on Twitter.

-30-