Toronto Reference Library
| Toronto Reference Library | |
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| General information | |
| Type | Public Library |
| Location | 789 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario, M4W 2G8 |
| Coordinates | 43°40′17″N 79°23′25″W / 43.6712814°N 79.3903244°W |
| Opening | 2 November 1977 |
| Website | |
| Toronto Reference Library | |
The Toronto Reference Library is located at 789 Yonge Street, one block north of Bloor Street, in Toronto, Ontario. Formerly the Metropolitan Toronto Reference Library, the name was changed in 1998 when it was incorporated into the Toronto Public Library system. The library operated separately before the amalgamation of the City of Toronto and surrounding boroughs in 1998. It is one of the three largest libraries in the city along with the Robarts Library at the University of Toronto and Scott Library at York University. The library's hours of operation are; weekdays 9:00am – 8:30pm, Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm, Sunday 1:30pm – 5:00pm.
The 38,691 m² (416,035 sq. ft.) five-storey building, designed by architect Raymond Moriyama, opened in 1977 and is the biggest public reference library in Canada.
A curving atrium in the middle of the large library creates site lines across floors, provides natural ventilation and introduces natural light from its sophisticated skylights.
The design of this library was influenced by the hanging garden of Babylon and therefore plants were located around the edge of each floor facing the atrium. However, due to financial constraints, the plants were later removed.
The brick facade of the building creates harmony with the surrounding buildings as well as providing thermal benefits.
The library's collection is mostly non-circulating, although some materials can be borrowed.
The library had 1,653,665 catalogued items in 2010, including:
The TD Gallery is the library's exhibit gallery, and features exhibits of art, books, documents, manuscripts and other items from the collections.
Like all libraries in the Toronto Public Library system, the reference library offers free wireless Internet, as well as computers that can be used free of charge. Many of these public computers are located on the main floor, but they are also available on all floors including the basement. The Digital Design Studio, provides access to more advanced software and staff assistance for a small fee.
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