Toronto Public Library

{{Infobox library

| library_name = Toronto Public Library

| library_logo = 250px

| country = Canada

| established = 1884

| num_branches = 100

| collection_size = 10.6 million (2021){{cite web|title=2021 Key Facts|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/}}

| annual_circulation = 26.6 million (2023){{cite web|title=2024 Capital Budget Notes |url=https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/bu/bgrd/backgroundfile-242011.pdf/}}

| pop_served = 3M (2024){{cite web|title=Toronto Facts: Diversity|url=http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=dbe867b42d853410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD|access-date=1 March 2017|archive-date=21 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221115311/http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=dbe867b42d853410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD|url-status=dead}}

| members = 2M

| budget = $252M (2024){{Cite web | url=https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/bu/bgrd/backgroundfile-242011.pdf |title = 2024 Finance Reports : Library Finance}}

| director = Vickery Bowles (City Librarian)

| num_employees = 2,000

| parent_organization = City of Toronto

| website = {{URL|http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca}}

}}

Toronto Public Library (TPL) is a public library system in Toronto, Ontario. It is the largest public library system in Canada, and in 2023 had averaged a higher circulation per capita than any other public library system internationally, making it the largest neighbourhood-based library system in the world.{{Cite web |title=About the Library |url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Toronto Public Library |language=en}}{{cite web|url=http://citiesofmigration.ca/good_idea/the-great-equalizer-toronto-public-library/ |title=The Great Equalizer: Toronto Public Library |publisher=Cities of Migration|date=April 16, 2013}} Within North America, it also had the highest circulation and visitors when compared to other large urban systems.{{cite web|url=http://beta.torontopubliclibrary.ca/content/about-the-library/pdfs/board/meetings/2010/may10/17.pdf|title=2009 Annual Performance Measures and Strategic Plan Update|publisher=Toronto Public Library|access-date=4 June 2010|archive-date=10 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110102253/http://beta.torontopubliclibrary.ca/content/about-the-library/pdfs/board/meetings/2010/may10/17.pdf|url-status=dead}} Established as the library of the Mechanics' Institute in 1830, the Toronto Public Library now consists of 100 branch libraries{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/05/20/toronto-public-library-opens-100th-branch-in-scarborough.html|title=Toronto Public Library opens 100th branch in Scarborough|last=Pelley|first=Lauren|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=20 May 2015|access-date=20 May 2015}} and has over 26 million items in its collection.{{cite journal|journal=Toronto Life|url=http://www.torontolife.com/informer/toronto-real-estate/2014/05/28/fort-york-gets-a-new-public-library/|title=Fort York gets the ultimate condo amenity: a flashy new public library|last=Kupferman|first=Steve|publisher=Toronto Life Publishing Company|date=28 May 2014|access-date=29 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529191514/http://www.torontolife.com/informer/toronto-real-estate/2014/05/28/fort-york-gets-a-new-public-library/|archive-date=29 May 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/content/about-the-library/news-publications/strat-plan/strat-plan-2000.pdf|title=Message from the Mayor|work=Toronto Public Library Strategic Plan 2000-2008|publisher=Toronto Public Library Board|page=4|year=2000|access-date=7 August 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/library-history/|title=History of Toronto Public Library|publisher=Toronto Public Library|year=2011|access-date=7 August 2011}}

History

The first subscription library service to open in the city was on 9 December 1810, at Elmsley House.{{cite web|url=https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/local-history-genealogy/2018/11/the-battle-of-york-april-1813.html|title=War of 1812: The Battle of York|publisher=Toronto Public Library|year=2019|access-date=12 April 2019}} During the Burning of York in April 1813, several American officers under Commodore Issac Chauncey's command looted books from the library. Discovering his officers were in possession of the stolen books after they returned to Sackets Harbor, Chauncey ordered the looted books returned to York. The stolen books were returned in two crates, although by the time they arrived, the library had already closed. The books were auctioned off in 1822.

File:Central Library 1884.jpg

In 1830, a library was established in the York Mechanics' Institute. In 1882, the provincial legislature, under Premier Oliver Mowat,{{Sfn|Myrvold|1986|p=65}} passed The Free Libraries Act, 1882.{{sfn|Bruce|1994|p=72}}The Free Libraries Act, 1882, SO 1882 (45 Vict), c 22 A public campaign for a free library in Toronto preceded a referendum on the question, held on 1 January 1883, in which Torontonians voted in favour of creating a city library.{{Sfn|Myrvold|1986|p=65}} Alderman John Hallam, whom historian Barbara Myrvold describes as having an "almost idolatrous regard for books", was a principal booster for the new library.{{Sfn|Myrvold|1986|pp=65–65}}

In 1884, the Mechanic's Institute's collection became the Toronto Public Library. James Bain was the first chief librarian and he supplemented the collection with $15,000 worth of books purchased on a trip to England in late 1883.{{cite journal|title=Topics of the Week|journal=The Week: A Canadian Journal of Politics, Literature, Science and Arts|date=13 Dec 1883|volume=1|issue=2|page=17|url=https://archive.org/stream/weekcanadianjour01toro#page/n9/mode/1up}}

Between 1907 and 1916, ten libraries were built with funds from the Andrew Carnegie Trust.{{Cite book|title=The library : an illustrated history|author=Murray, Stuart|date=2009|publisher=Skyhorse Pub.|isbn=9781616084530|location=New York, NY|oclc=277203534}} Several of these Carnegie libraries continue to be used by the public library; one, the original Central Reference Library, is now the Koffler Student Centre at the University of Toronto.[http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/abo_his_car_central.jsp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221225045/http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/abo_his_car_central.jsp|date=February 21, 2010}}

Henry Cummings Campbell was Chief Librarian of the Toronto Public Library from 1956 to 1978, and the first Chief Librarian to hold a professional library degree. He is credited with having contributed to the expansion of the library and its adaptation to an increasingly dynamic and multicultural city."In Memoriam Henry Cummings Campbell" by Paula de Ronde, August 24th, 2009, Hart House, University of Toronto.

File:TorontoReferenceLibrary8.jpg was merged with the other library boards of Toronto following Metropolitan Toronto's amalgamation in 1998.]]

During the amalgamation of Metropolitan Toronto in 1998, the individual library systems of all the Metro municipalities and of Metro itself were merged into the Toronto system:{{cite web|url=http://www.canlii.org/en/on/laws/stat/so-1997-c-2/latest/so-1997-c-2.html |title=City of Toronto Act, 1997, SO 1997, c 2 |publisher=CanLII |access-date=2014-03-15}}{{cite web|url=http://www.toronto.ca/divisions/pdf/hr/annual_report_2007.pdf#page=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606120343/http://www.toronto.ca/divisions/pdf/hr/annual_report_2007.pdf#page=4|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 June 2011|title=Staff Directory, Divisions & Customer Service|first=City of|last=Toronto|date=4 August 2017}}

East York Public Library, established 1967, 5 branches
Etobicoke Public Library, established 1950, 13 branches
North York Public Library, established 1955, 19 branches
Scarborough Public Library, established 1955, 19 branches
York Public Library, established 1967, 6 branches
Metropolitan Toronto Public Library, established 1967, 1 branch
The old Toronto Public Library, established 1883, 33 branches

This made the Toronto Public Library the largest library system in North America, serving a population of 2.3 million people with 98 branches at the time.

In 2004, a new library was opened in the St. James Town neighbourhood of Toronto, bringing the total number of branches to 99. In 2014, the city's 100th library was constructed and opened in Scarborough City Centre.{{Cite web | url=http://beta.torontopubliclibrary.ca/renovations/scarborough-centre-branch.jsp | title=Scarborough Civic Centre Branch : Hours & Locations | access-date=2010-08-07 | archive-date=2016-03-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225845/http://beta.torontopubliclibrary.ca/renovations/scarborough-centre-branch.jsp | url-status=dead }}

The Toronto Public Library ended late fines on borrowed items in 2022, saying that late fines "aren't effective in encouraging the return of materials and represent a barrier to library use."{{Cite news |date=March 31, 2022 |title=Toronto Public Library to scrap late fines, calling them ineffective and a barrier to use |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-public-library-late-fines-1.6403943 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831233445/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-public-library-late-fines-1.6403943 |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |access-date=2025-02-09 |work=CBC News}}

On 27 October 2023, a ransomware attack was detected which brought down various online services, including the TPL website.{{cite news |author= |date=October 29, 2023 |title=Toronto Public Library dealing with cybersecurity 'incident' impacting some services |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-public-library-cyber-security-1.7012099 |work=CBC News |access-date=2023-11-08}}{{cite news |author= |date=November 7, 2023 |title=Ransomware attack behind Toronto Public Library service interruption, library says |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ransomware-toronto-public-library-1.7021097 |work=CBC News |access-date=2023-11-08}}{{cite news |last=Abrams |first=Lawrence |date=November 1, 2023 |title=Toronto Public Library outages caused by Black Basta ransomware attack |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/toronto-public-library-outages-caused-by-black-basta-ransomware-attack/ |work=Bleeping Computer |access-date=2023-11-08}} While the library remained open with wireless internet available, public computers and services on its website were offline. Confidential information of some staff members was exposed in the breach.{{cite news |author= |date=15 November 2023 |title=Personal info, including staff social insurance numbers, stolen in Toronto library cyberattack |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-public-library-ransomware-employee-data-1.7028982 |work=CBC News |location= |access-date=15 November 2023}}

Governance

The Toronto Public Library is governed by a board appointed by Toronto City Council. The board is composed of eight citizen members, four city councillors and the mayor or his or her designate.{{Cite news|url=https://secure.toronto.ca/pa/decisionBody/28.do|title=Toronto Public Appointments Decision Body Profile|work=toronto.ca|access-date=2018-01-19}}

Services

=Collections=

File:Toronto Public Library - Lillian H. Smith Branch.JPG

The library's collection count is over 12 million items.

==Special collections==

Toronto Public Library's special collections is located in several branches throughout the city. A number of special collections are housed at the Marilyn & Charles Baillie Special Collections Centre in the Toronto Reference Library.{{cite web|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/specialized-collections/|title= Special Collections & Rare Books|publisher=Toronto Public Library|year=2018|access-date=17 November 2018}} Special collections at the reference library includes the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection, and the Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/specialized-collections/literature-genre-doyle.jsp|title=Arthur Conan Doyle Collection|publisher=Toronto Public Library|year=2018|access-date=17 November 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/specialized-collections/historical-baldwin.jsp|title=Baldwin Collection of Canadiana|publisher=Toronto Public Library|year=2018|access-date=17 November 2018}}

Special collections located at other branches of the Toronto Public Library Merril Collection of Science Fiction, and the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books, located at Lillian H. Smith branch.{{cite web|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/merril/|title=Merril Collection of Science Fiction|publisher=Toronto Public Library|year=2018|access-date=17 November 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/osborne/|title=Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books|publisher=Toronto Public Library|year=2018|access-date=17 November 2018}} The Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection is spread throughout four branches of TPL, Malvern, Maria A. Shchuka, Parkdale, York Woods branch.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/specialized-collections/rita-cox-black-caribbean.jsp|title=Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection|publisher=Toronto Public Library|year=2018|access-date=17 November 2018}}

=Bookmobiles=

Image:BookmobileTwo2.jpgs.]]

The TPL operates two Bookmobile buses (24' Blue Bird CS), targeting communities who lack easy access to a neighbourhood branch. There are 32 regular Bookmobile stops in Toronto, including one on Ward's Island.{{cite web |url=http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hou_boo_index.jsp |title=Bookmobiles : Hours & Locations : Toronto Public Library |publisher=Torontopubliclibrary.ca |access-date=2014-03-15 |archive-date=2010-02-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209220050/http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hou_boo_index.jsp |url-status=dead }} The bookmobile concept was previously used in the library systems of the former municipalities of North York and Scarborough as well as in Toronto as far back as 1948.{{Cite news|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/library-history/|title=History of Toronto Public Library : About the Library|work=Toronto Public Library|access-date=2018-01-19|language=en}}

=Musical instruments=

Since April 2016, the Parkdale branch has a collection of musical instruments including guitars, violins, keyboards, percussion instruments, and others that can be borrowed for free with a library card. Since then, the Musical Instrument Lending Libraries have expanded to the Downsview and York Woods branches.{{Cite web|url=http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/services/borrow-a-musical-instrument.jsp|title=Borrow a Musical Instrument : Toronto Public Library|website=Toronto Public Library|language=en|access-date=2016-04-20}}

=tpl:map=

Adult residents of Toronto can reserve a pass to a number of Toronto attractions with their library cards — one pass each per year to each participating destination. On the first of each month, a limited number of dates become available for the succeeding month (i.e. September passes become available on August 1), and eligible card holders make a reservation for a specific date. The number of visitors who can share a pass varies according to the attraction. Passes for popular sites, such as the Toronto Zoo, the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) and the Ontario Science Centre, are often in very high demand.{{cite web|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/map/|title=tpl:map}}

=Technology=

The Toronto Public Library technology services include public access computers and free wireless internet access in all branches. The Library also provides access to e-books, music, movies, and other electronic collections. All libraries also include at least one black-and-white printer where users are charged $0.15 per page. The Toronto Reference Library holds the only public colour printer in the system. The Toronto Public Library website allows users to reserve materials and have them transferred to the user's preferred branch.

{{cite web|url=http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/placing-holds/#how |title=FAQ : How do I place a hold on the website?|publisher=Torontopubliclibrary.ca|access-date=2014-08-08}} The library also operates a Dial-a-Story telephone hotline, which reads stories to children in sixteen languages."Once Upon a Line". Toronto Star, November 5, 2018, page A1

The library system uses NFC pads on each book where users only need to place the book on a table and checks out without scanning.

Ten branches of the Toronto Public Library also house Digital Innovation Hubs, where patrons can reserve a workstation or equipment and attend workshops to bring new and emerging technology to the community.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/computer-services/innovation-spaces/|title=Digital Innovation Hubs : Using the Library|website=Toronto Public Library|language=en|access-date=2024-08-26}}

In 2018, the Fabrication Studio opened at the newly renovated North York Central branch.{{Cite web|url=https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/north-york-central-blog/2018/07/the-first-three-floors-of-north-york-central-library-re-opens-today.html|title=The First Three Floors of North York Central Library Re-Open Today|website=Toronto Public Library|language=en|access-date=2024-08-26}} This space includes sewing machines, a serger, an embroidery machine, a button maker, and a vinyl printer/cutter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/computer-services/innovation-spaces/fabrication-studio.jsp|title=Fabrication Studio|website=Toronto Public Library|language=en|access-date=2024-08-26}} They also offer free classes on using the equipment and other fabrication-related topics like knitting and crochet, embroidery, and watercolor painting.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/search.jsp?Erp=25&N=4287805607&Ns=p_pub_date_sort&Nso=0&view=grid|title=Fabrication Studio Classes|website=Toronto Public Library|language=en|access-date=2024-08-26}}

==Digital content==

Toronto Public Library cardholders can digitally borrow books, music and movies since 2014 by creating an account on the online platform Hoopla.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/life/technology/2014/04/07/toronto_public_library_launches_hoopla_netflixlike_movie_and_music_service.html|title=Toronto Public Library launches Hoopla, Netflix-like movie and music service|first=Graham|last=Slaughter|date=7 April 2014|via=Toronto Star}} Also, since 2018, the Toronto Public Library has partnered with Kanopy, a streaming platform with over 30,000 films and documentaries, that lets the library users stream up to eight items per month after registering using their library card.{{cite web|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2018/01/23/stream-free-movies-tv-shows-and-docs-with-toronto-public-library-s-new-service.html|title=Stream free movies, tv shows and docs with Toronto Public Library's new service - Metro Toronto|access-date=2018-01-24|archive-date=2018-03-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313120624/http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2018/01/23/stream-free-movies-tv-shows-and-docs-with-toronto-public-library-s-new-service.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/kanopy|title=Kanopy}}

The library's [http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/digital-archive/ Digital Archive] provides instant access to historical images—including photographs from the Toronto Star Photograph Archive—postcards, maps, rare digitized books and more.{{Cite news|url=http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/digital-archive/|title=Digital Archive|work=Toronto Public Library|access-date=2017-12-19|language=en}}

The Toronto Public Library offers audiobook, e-book, and eMagazine services, including OverDrive eBooks & eAudiobooks, Zinio eMagazines, OneClick Digital eAudiobooks, Safari Tech & Business Books Online, TumbleBook Library, Ebsco eBooks, delivered via the library's website.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/downloads-ebooks/|title=Downloads & eBooks : Books, Video, Research & More}}

As of June 2024, the Toronto Public Library's website is blocked in mainland China.{{Cite web |title=torontopubliclibrary.ca is 100% blocked in China {{!}} GreatFire Analyzer |url=https://en.greatfire.org/https/www.torontopubliclibrary.ca |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=en.greatfire.org}}

=Theatres=

3 branches of the library system offer performance theatres available for both non-profit community and commercial usage.{{cite web |author= |title=Toronto Public Library Facility Bookings |url=https://torontopubliclibrary.perfectmind.com/23777/Clients/BookMe4FacilityList/List?calendarId=7a62976c-3dca-4354-a862-22673dedf4fc&widgetId=cf2d4a53-5d08-4ad3-9261-f61fa95fab3a&embed=False&singleCalendarWidget=true |website= |access-date=Jan 26, 2025}}{{cite web |author=|title=Find your perfect space at the library |url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/room-theatre-rentals |website=torontopubliclibrary.ca |access-date=Jan 26, 2025}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
scope="col" \| Location ! scope="col" \| Seating Capacity
scope = "row" \| Fairview \|style="text-align:center \| 260
scope = row \| Palmerston \| style="text-align:center \|110
scope = row \| York Woods \|style="text-align:center \| 235

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

scope="col" | Location

! scope="col" | Seating Capacity

scope = "row" | Fairview

|style="text-align:center | 260

scope = row | Palmerston

| style="text-align:center |110

scope = row | York Woods

|style="text-align:center | 235

Budget

The Toronto Public Library had an operating budget of $206,880,105 in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/library-finance/reports/2019.jsp|title=2019 Finance Reports : Library Finance|website=Toronto Public Library|access-date=2019-12-06}}

The Toronto Public Library had an operating budget of $217,334,410 in 2020.{{Cite web |title=2020 Finance Reports |url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/library-finance/reports/2020.jsp |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Toronto Public Library |language=en}}

The Toronto Public Library had an operating budget of $221,576,307 in 2021.{{Cite web |title=2021 Finance Reports |url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/library-finance/reports/2021.jsp |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Toronto Public Library |language=en}}

The Toronto Public Library had an operating budget of $228,305,383 in 2022.{{Cite web |title=2022 Finance Reports |url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/library-finance/reports/2022.jsp |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Toronto Public Library |language=en}}

The Toronto Public Library had an operating budget of $234,610,258 in 2023.{{Cite web |title=2023 Finance Reports |url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/library-finance/reports/2023.jsp |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Toronto Public Library |language=en}}

The Toronto Public Library had an operating budget of $252,293,362 in 2024.{{Cite web |title=2024 Finance Reports |url=https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/library-finance/reports/2024.jsp |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Toronto Public Library |language=en}}

Branches

{{wide image|Toronto Public Libraries and Population Density.png|800px|Map of public libraries in Toronto in relation to population density (2015)}}

References

Sources

{{cite book |last1=Bruce |first1=Lorne |title=Free Books for All: The Public Library Movement in Ontario, 1850–1930 |url=https://archive.org/details/freebooksforallp0000bruc |url-access=registration |date=9 January 1994 |publisher=Dundurn |isbn=978-1459721074 }}
{{Cite book| publisher = Canadian Library Association| isbn = 978-0-88802-196-0| last = Myrvold| first = Barbara| editor = McNally| title = Readings in Canadian Library History| pages = [https://archive.org/details/readingsincanadi0000unse_m8z3/page/65 65–89]| location = Ottawa| year = 1986| url = https://archive.org/details/readingsincanadi0000unse_m8z3|chapter=The First Hundred Years: Toronto Public Library, 1883–1983|editor-first=Peter F.}}