Toronto Public Library Locations

Beginning in January 2024, I am trying to visit all one hundred Toronto Public Library branches with one or both of my children. I expect this will take two to three years; I will update the map as we make progress. Currently we have visited 43 of 100 branches.

Branches we have visited

Albion Branch

Annette Street Branch

One of our two neighborhood branches, this location is a grand, 100+-year-old building and has good extended hours (though not on Sundays). 7/10 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/annettestreet/

Albert Campbell Branch

Located on a nondescript stretch of road in Scarborough, this quiet branch has an interesting split-level design and lots of nooks in which to work. Also a good place to work in the afternoon if you're planning to visit Scarborough strip malls for dinner afterward. 7.5/10 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/albertcampbell/

Alderwood Branch

Visited 2024-03-02. Inside a big community center with a pool, an ice rink, and other facilities. It’s a modestly sized branch without any features worth calling out …

Amesbury Park Branch

Visited 2025-03-22

Beaches Branch

Bendale Branch

Visited 2024-03-16. Medium-size branch with a decent selection (and an on-site parking lot). 6/10

Black Creek Branch

Visited 2025-03-22

Bloor/Gladstone Branch

A nearby favorite. This branch has a modern wing grafted onto a hundred-year-old building. A good kids selection on the lower level. If you arrive early, there are nice desks on the second floor that look out over Bloor Street. 7.5/10 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/bloorgladstone/

Brentwood Branch

Cedarbrae Branch

Visited 2025-04-26

City Hall Branch

Cliffcrest Branch

Small branch in a shopping plaza along Kingston Rd. 5/10

College/Shaw Branch

Don Mills Branch

Visited 2025-04-26

Downsview Branch

Visited 2025-03-22

Dufferin/St. Clair Branch

Eatonville Branch

Elmbrook Park Branch

Fort York Branch

A modern branch with a great kids' section, inspiring views over rail tracks and onto neighboring towers, a "digital innovation hub," and even a TV where I've seen people relaxing and watching soccer games. A favorite. 9/10 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/fortyork

High Park Branch

Right in the heart of Roncesvalles, this branch has decent international selections (including lots of Polish books) and a few good working nooks on the high-ceilinged second floor. 6/10

Humber Bay Branch

Jane/Dundas Branch

Jane/Sheppard Branch

Leaside Branch

Lillian H. Smith Branch

Perhaps the best branch in the city for kids' books, which cover the entire ground floor of this large, older building. 7/10 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/lillianhsmith/

Long Branch Branch

Visited 2024-03-09. A small-ish branch with a good selection of kids' books. 6/10

McGregor Park Branch

Visited 2025-04-26

Maryvale Branch

Mimico Centennial Branch

Mount Dennis Branch

New Toronto Branch

North York Central Library

One of my kids’ favorite branches in the city, it is perhaps the largest lending branch in the system, with three (four?) floors of bookshelves and a generously sized play area. Plus it’s right on the main drag in North York, so there is lots to do nearby. 9.5/10 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/northyorkcentrallibrary/

Pape/Danforth Branch

Parkdale Branch

Perth/Dupont Branch

I don’t think this branch has been renovated since it opened in the late 1970s, and it is going to be closed and moved a few blocks west in the next 12–24 months. But it’s located along our walk to school, so this small outpost has become a personal favorite by virtue of how frequently we visit. 5.5/10 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/perthdupont/

Riverdale Branch

A large, older branch at the busy intersection of Gerrard and Broadview. Not a favorite, but it’s located near a small coffee shop and bakery I really like called Issho. 6/10 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/riverdale/

Runnymede Branch

A good location, though not much to say about it. When my local branch was closed during the pandemic, we often went to this one. 7.5/10 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/runnymede

Scarborough Civic Centre Branch

Toronto Reference Library

The crown jewel of the system (though you can’t check out any of the books). Wonderful architecture. The kids love the glass-walled elevators; Julia and I love going to events here. 8.5/10 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/torontoreferencelibrary/

Victoria Village Branch

Yorkville Branch

York Woods Branch

Recently reopened in a building updated by Diamond Schmitt, this is a pretty good but fairly unremarkable branch. On the day we visited, it did happen to have a lot of good new literary fiction on the shelves. 7.5/10 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/yorkwoods/