List of Toronto Public Library branches explained

The Toronto Public Library operates a total of 100 branch libraries across Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Current branches

NameNeighbourhoodOpenedBuiltCollection sizeNotesImage
AgincourtAgincourt19181991176,367Originally the Agincourt Association Library for the village of Agincourt and located at Agincourt Continuation School, joins Library Board of the Township of Scarborough in 1955 (later renamed Scarborough Public Library); moved from Agincourt Mall location in 1991 to 155 Bonis Avenue as Agincourt District Branch
Albert CampbellScarborough Junction19711971120,658Named after Albert Campbell; operated as Albert Campbell District Branch prior to 1998. The library renovated from 2019 to 2022
AlbionSmithfield19651973133,268
AlderwoodAlderwood1958199949,830
Amesbury ParkAmesbury1967196739,287
Annette StreetThe Junction1888190939,083Carnegie library
Armour HeightsArmour Heights1982198226,528
Barbara FrumLawrence Manor19921992138,657Replaced Bathurst Heights Regional Library. Named after Barbara Frum
BeachesThe Beaches1914191654,089Carnegie library built in 1916[1]
BendaleBendale1834196138,957Founded as the Scarboro' Subscription Library and then became the Scarborough Mechanics' Institute. In 1955 became one of the first three branches of the Scarborough Public Library
Black CreekDownsview1968200232,052Located in the North York Sheridan Mall
Bloor/GladstoneDufferin Grove1911191159,825Reopened after renovations in 2009
BrentwoodThe Kingsway1955195597,432Etobicoke's main library from 1955 to 1966
BridlewoodL'Amoreaux1976199259,472At Bridlewood Mall
BrookbanksParkwoods1968196849,023
Burrows HallMalvern1998199853,137
CedarbraeWoburn19661966158,760operated as Cederbrae District Branch prior to 1998
CentennialBranson1966196636,360
City HallDowntown1965196536,683Inside Toronto City Hall
CliffcrestCliffcrest1972200830,087
College/ShawLittle Italy1984198437,123
Danforth/CoxwellEast Danforth1989198952,136
DavenportDavenport1988198815,971
Dawes RoadO'Connor-Parkview1976197648,472Replaced Woodbine Gardens branch
Deer ParkDeer Park1905195274,088
Don MillsDon Mills19611961128,059
DownsviewDownsview1962196283,604
Dufferin/St. ClairCorso Italia1921192138,883
EatonvilleEatonville1964196473,786
Eglinton SquareGolden Mile1955196544,306In Eglinton Square Shopping Centre
Elmbrook ParkEringate1988198835,929
Ethennonnhawahstihnen'Bayview Village2023202343,145Opened in 2023, it is the newest branch in the system. Located inside the Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Community Recreation Centre and Library behind the Bessarion station southern entrance, the library hosts collections and services from the former Bayview branch.[2] [3]
Evelyn GregorySilverthorn1968196842,632Named in honour of York Public Library Chief Librarian Evelyn Gregory
FairviewDon Valley Village19721976218,432Adjacent to Fairview Mall
Flemingdon ParkFlemingdon Park1981198148,177
Forest HillForest Hill1955196256,398
Fort YorkCityPlace2014[4] 2013-
Gerrard/AshdaleLittle India1924192452,172
Goldhawk ParkMilliken1992199258,182
GuildwoodGuildwood1974197430,034
High ParkRoncesvalles1916191655,794Carnegie library
Highland CreekHighland Creek1889199445,712Founded as the Highland Creek Mechanics' Institute
HillcrestHillcrest Village1975197548,104
Humber BayHumber Bay1925195129,517Etobicoke Public Library headquarters 1951-1955
HumberwoodHumberwood1996199639,652
Humber SummitHumber Summit1974197424,225
Jane/DundasRunnymede1951197546,429
Jane/SheppardDownsview1989200931,668
JonesLeslieville1962196233,290
Kennedy/EglintonIonview1988198834,331In Liberty Square Shopping Plaza
LeasideLeaside1944195060,607
Lillian H. SmithGrange Park19221995122,412Originally the Boys & Girls House. Focus on children's literature. Named after Boys & Girls House founder Lillian H. Smith
LockeLawrence Park1949194970,804Named after chief librarian George Locke
Long BranchLong Branch1944195434,305
Main StreetUpper Beaches1903192144,279
MalvernMalvern19821982149,256The library complete renovation and expansion in 2003
Maria A. ShchukaFairbank19511951106,228Named after Maria A. Shchuka, York Head Librarian from 1979 to 1996.
MaryvaleMaryvale1982198252,793Inside Parkway Mall
McGregor ParkDorset Park1960200443,994
Mimico CentennialMimico1915196648,591Original was a Carnegie library, but was demolished in 1966
MorningsideWest Hill, Toronto1968200647,530
Mount DennisMount Dennis1923195146,982
Mount PleasantDavisville Village1992199219,654
New TorontoNew Toronto1921199440,427
North York Central LibraryNorth York Centre19591987542,218
Northern DistrictNorth Toronto19091975177,153Re-opened after renovation in February 2011
Northern ElmsRexdale1991200524,983
Oakwood Village LibraryOakwood1997199737,647
PalmerstonSeaton Village1971197139,802
Pape/DanforthThe Danforth1929192964,490
ParkdaleParkdale, Toronto1881196474,065
ParliamentCabbagetown1955196960,663
Perth/DupontWest Junction Triangle1977198323,003
Pleasant ViewPleasant View1975197540,413
Port UnionPort Union1974198441,474
Queen/SaulterRiverside1979198019,523In the Ralph Thornton Community Centre
RexdaleRexdale1959195935,431
RichviewRichview19661966198,928
RiverdaleRiverdale1888191068,221Carnegie library
RunnymedeBloor West Village1904193073,075Designed by John M. Lyle
S. Walter StewartOld East York1950196097,466Named after S. Walter Stewart, first chair of the East York library Board
SandersonAlexandra Park1968196864,914Named in honour of chief librarian Charles Sanderson
Scarborough Civic CentreScarborough City Centre2015201540,000Located within Scarborough Civic Centre.
Spadina RoadThe Annex1977197742,573
St. Clair/SilverthornThe Junction1981198121,007Was featured in the opening credits of the former TVO kids show
Bookmice
St. James TownSt. James Town2004200459,802
St. LawrenceSt. Lawrence1982198229,617
SteelesSteeles1987198748,086At Bamburgh Gardens Plaza
Swansea MemorialSwansea1923195910,049
Taylor MemorialBirch Cliff1962198529,687Named after Florence Nightingale Taylor, wife of John Taylor who donated his home for the original library building
ThorncliffeThorncliffe Park1961197041,752
Todmorden RoomPape Village196119618,874
Toronto Reference LibraryYorkville190919771,653,665The largest public reference library in Canada. Previously housed at Koffler Student Centre
Victoria VillageVictoria Village1967196730,504
WestonWeston1858191443,686Carnegie library
Woodside SquareAgincourt1977197766,076At Woodside Square Mall. Relocated from former location (renovated 1989) at northwest exit to current location next to former Dominion's store in 2007.
Woodview ParkEmery1964196423,130
WychwoodBracondale Hill1880191651,433Carnegie library, renovation and expansion project completed in 2022
York WoodsJane and Finch19701970120,199
YorkvilleYorkville1884190762,240Carnegie library

Former branches

NameNeighbourhoodOpenedClosedBuiltCollection sizeNotesImage
BayviewBayview Village19662023200243,145Located inside Bayview Village Shopping Centre. Closed in 2023, and collection was transferred to and replaced by Ethennonnhawahstihnen' branch.
Central LibraryUniversity of Toronto190919771909Ontario's largest Carnegie library, it served as the main branch until 1977 with the opening of the Toronto Reference Library and now houses the University of Toronto Bookstore.
Downtown BranchDowntown19281965First located at Old City Hall 1911, 42 Adelaide Street West in 1928, 39 King Street West in 1952 (now Bank of Nova Scotia Building) and 25 Richmond Street West (now Cloud Garden) in 1956. Closed in 1965 and replaced by City Hall branch
Mechanics' InstituteDowntown188319271853Served as the first home of the Toronto Public Library, and as the main branch until 1909, but was closed in 1927
Urban AffairsDowntown Toronto191120111992346,650Previously located at Metro Hall, the branch was closed September 14, 2011, and the collection moved to the Toronto Reference Library[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Beaches Branch, Toronto Public Library 1916. Toronto's Historical Plaques. 12 April 2017.
  2. Web site: Bayview Branch Relocation. Toronto Public Library.
  3. Web site: Ethennonnhawahstihnen'.
  4. News: New hi-tech public library branch set to open in Fort York with 3D printers, DJ equipment. Jivov. alex. National Post. 28 May 2014. 29 May 2014.
  5. News: Woods. Michael. Tears flow as Urban Affairs library closes. The Toronto Star. Toronto. en-ca. September 15, 2011. September 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20120213095347/https://www.thestar.com/news/article/1054321. February 13, 2012. dead.