In groups of 3 or 4, experiment searching for materials on Kensington Market as inspiration or evidence for your writing.

1. Each group will be assigned a search platform (database, webisite)  to explore. Use the search query "Kensington Market" AND Toronto using filters or settings available on the platform. Adapt the search if needed (Try the search strategies in "Building Search Strategies & Filter Your Results").

2. As a group, identify 1 item that your group thinks could be used as inspiration of evidence for your writing. Choose 1 person to report back to the class and what you liked (or disliked about the search platform). 

3. If you finish early, experiment with another search platform or try a web search with Google. 

Have a Question?

If you need help, raise the coloured card and the librarian will come over.

1) City of Toronto Website

• Use the search tool bar that top of the page
• Experiment with the Refine Your Results filters on the right side of the page. 
• How would you cite this resource? 

2) UofT LibrarySearch

• Try Advanced Search 

• On the search result page, experiment with filters on the left to narrow your search results (Tips on LibrarySearch Filters)

• Explore the Library Record and the Subject Headings

• Cite Sources with LibrarySearch 

3) Canadian Newsstream (ProQuest)

This is a news specific database in the ProQuest Platform so the filters will reflect the formats found in print and digital news publications. 

• On the search result page, experiment with filters on the left to narrow your search results
  • Filter tips for ProQuest's News databases filters, Tips for ProQuest Platform (books, journals, magazines, news and more)
  • Cite Sources

4) Google Scholar

• Set up Google Scholar to recognize your UTORID when searching.   
  • Connect your UofT login to Google Scholar
• Experiment using the filters on the left side of the page. 
• Explore Google Scholar's Advance Search 

5) Toronto Public Library Digital Archive

Explore photos, maps, manuscripts, digitized books and more from Toronto Public Library — new items added daily.

• Experiment using the filters on the left side of the page. 
• Select "Show Only Public Domain" to find images that could be share online or used in content without licensing / copyright issues if you follow the steps on the Copyright & Licences page