Celebrating Leigh Turina on Her Retirement from Toronto Public Library
Congratulations, Leigh Turina!
When Toronto Public Library (TPL) was selected as the next home of the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities, we, in IBBY Canada, were delighted. But who would be the Collection Specialist? Because Toronto Public Library is a unionized organization, the candidate would have to come from internal staff. Would that be a problem? Not at all.
Leigh Turina, the perfect candidate, stepped forward.
Leigh’s career and mine often crossed paths. Sometime in the 2000s, Leigh joined the Lillian H. Smith Branch, where I worked, as the Children’s Librarian for the Hospital for Sick Children. TPL ran a program of visiting and delivering books to children in the hospital’s wards.
Several things strike you immediately when you meet Leigh. She is cheerful, she is smart, she is empathetic, and she knows her children’s literature.
When Leigh was named the head of the IBBY Collection, I knew that it would be in good hands. As the IBBY Canada member who has co-chaired the selection committee for the books for young people with disabilities, I found over and over again how good Leigh was at her job. She answered even the inanest queries quickly and with generosity. Her advice was always spot on. She kept on top of current trends and books for young people with disabilities. The space for the collection, under her direction, is beautiful and fully visible as you walk into the North York Branch of TPL. It is a place of utter delight.
I’m going to miss Leigh at the Collection. But she leaves it in an excellent position to continue to grow and serve the community.
Congratulations, Leigh, on a splendid job!
Theo Heras, former Children’s Literature Specialist of the Lillian H. Smith Branch of Toronto Public Library, former IBBY Canada Board member, current co-chair of the IBBY Canada Selection Committee for the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities, and children’s author.
From IBBY International
For over 10 years, Leigh Turina has been the guiding light behind the outstanding IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities, housed at Toronto Public Library since 2014. She inaugurated its new home with passion and care, honouring its legacy while paving the way for its future.
Through her tireless dedication and highly contagious smile, she has embodied and carried forward a growing collection of over 4,000 titles that reflect the experiences, voices, and stories of children and young people with disabilities from around the world.
Thank you, Leigh, for your generous spirit and your unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child can see themselves in a story. You will always be part of the IBBY family.
On behalf of IBBY Canada, it is my pleasure to offer sincere thanks and congratulations to Leigh Turina on her retirement from Toronto Public Library.
I first got to know Leigh, and her thoughtfulness and generosity, when I was the newsletter editor for IBBY Canada and worked on a special edition focused on the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities. It was her day off when I visited the collection from Edmonton, but she had graciously boxed and annotated the books she thought might be of interest. (Leigh chose wisely! The contents and her notes were an inspiration!)
Since then, I have connected with Leigh on other projects and initiatives including the development of materials for Reading with Newcomer Children volunteers focused on how they and their reading buddies can be supported by libraries. A multi-page report with photos and resource links was graciously provided.
These are just two of the many ways we have benefitted from Leigh’s generosity in time, care, and her unwavering commitment to the mission of IBBY.
Thank you, Leigh! You have our huge gratitude for all that you are done—and all that you continue to do as we prepare for Congress 2026.
Patti McIntosh President, IBBY Canada
p.s. Can I mention how the love and admiration for Leigh is shared internationally? She is a librarian rock star. Working at a booth with Leigh (Bologna 2025, Trieste 2024) is to learn of her many admirers worldwide and the impact of her work.
Celebrating Leigh Turina on Her Retirement from Toronto Public Library
Congratulations, Leigh Turina!
When Toronto Public Library (TPL) was selected as the next home of the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities, we, in IBBY Canada, were delighted. But who would be the Collection Specialist? Because Toronto Public Library is a unionized organization, the candidate would have to come from internal staff. Would that be a problem? Not at all.
Leigh Turina, the perfect candidate, stepped forward.
Leigh’s career and mine often crossed paths. Sometime in the 2000s, Leigh joined the Lillian H. Smith Branch, where I worked, as the Children’s Librarian for the Hospital for Sick Children. TPL ran a program of visiting and delivering books to children in the hospital’s wards.
Several things strike you immediately when you meet Leigh. She is cheerful, she is smart, she is empathetic, and she knows her children’s literature.
When Leigh was named the head of the IBBY Collection, I knew that it would be in good hands. As the IBBY Canada member who has co-chaired the selection committee for the books for young people with disabilities, I found over and over again how good Leigh was at her job. She answered even the inanest queries quickly and with generosity. Her advice was always spot on. She kept on top of current trends and books for young people with disabilities. The space for the collection, under her direction, is beautiful and fully visible as you walk into the North York Branch of TPL. It is a place of utter delight.
I’m going to miss Leigh at the Collection. But she leaves it in an excellent position to continue to grow and serve the community.
Congratulations, Leigh, on a splendid job!
Theo Heras,
former Children’s Literature Specialist of the Lillian H. Smith Branch of Toronto Public Library, former IBBY Canada Board member, current co-chair of the IBBY Canada Selection Committee for the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities, and children’s author.
From IBBY International
For over 10 years, Leigh Turina has been the guiding light behind the outstanding IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities, housed at Toronto Public Library since 2014. She inaugurated its new home with passion and care, honouring its legacy while paving the way for its future.
Through her tireless dedication and highly contagious smile, she has embodied and carried forward a growing collection of over 4,000 titles that reflect the experiences, voices, and stories of children and young people with disabilities from around the world.
Thank you, Leigh, for your generous spirit and your unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child can see themselves in a story. You will always be part of the IBBY family.
Carolina Ballester
Executive Director, IBBY
Instagram – IBBY International
A Toast to Leigh Turina, on behalf of IBBY Canada
On behalf of IBBY Canada, it is my pleasure to offer sincere thanks and congratulations to Leigh Turina on her retirement from Toronto Public Library.
Since then, I have connected with Leigh on other projects and initiatives including the development of materials for Reading with Newcomer Children volunteers focused on how they and their reading buddies can be supported by libraries. A multi-page report with photos and resource links was graciously provided.
These are just two of the many ways we have benefitted from Leigh’s generosity in time, care, and her unwavering commitment to the mission of IBBY.
Thank you, Leigh! You have our huge gratitude for all that you are done—and all that you continue to do as we prepare for Congress 2026.
Patti McIntosh
President, IBBY Canada
p.s. Can I mention how the love and admiration for Leigh is shared internationally? She is a librarian rock star. Working at a booth with Leigh (Bologna 2025, Trieste 2024) is to learn of her many admirers worldwide and the impact of her work.
Back to the Summer Newsletter 2025