Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
About
This beautiful building contains a dramatic interior complete with pool and waterfall.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Old Toronto
How to get there
- Bloor-Yonge • 2 min walk
- Bay • 5 min walk
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4,885 within 5 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
846 reviews
Excellent
596
Very good
214
Average
23
Poor
7
Terrible
6
Dhvani G
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Solo
If you are a bibliophile, you are surely gona love this place... Its a heaven.. Their interiors, layout everything is well planned.. The collection is huge and the private cubicles are the best concept.. The staff is extremely finding in helping you find your correct book patiently..
Written October 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Getaway21469
Toronto, Canada9 contributions
Mar 2020
The Public Library has so much to offer and there is something for everyone. They have so many free events, wonderful interesting free lectures that I attend as often as I can. I always learn something and always come away fulfilled at some level. I recommend you regularly check out their website.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sachin K
New York City, NY6,556 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Toronto Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world. It is highly impressive and is open to all. Nearby paid street parking is available. One hour is more then adequate to visit the inside of this library. Customer service is friendly. Would certainly very highly recommend visiting this off beat attraction in Toronto which any trace is likely to miss out on.
Written November 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joy H
Toronto, Canada12 contributions
Jun 2019
There is a lot of space and resources to go through, This place hold great events from time to time too I would go for work and business meeting, academic research and the events.
Written May 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
porterjames2
Round Rock, TX226 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Probably most travelers won't visit a library while in a foreign city but if that is your thing this is a great experience.
This is free of charge with several security officers at the entrance. Even though there were street people that were allowed to bring their personal effects in on their shipping carts no one seemed to mind.
There are 5 levels to browse so you can spend as much time as you want, within the hours of opening. We visited on a Sunday.
This is free of charge with several security officers at the entrance. Even though there were street people that were allowed to bring their personal effects in on their shipping carts no one seemed to mind.
There are 5 levels to browse so you can spend as much time as you want, within the hours of opening. We visited on a Sunday.
Written May 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
susanpdoherty
Montreal, Canada46 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
The staff will literally do your homework if you need them to. Photo library is unbelievable. Top drawer staff.
Written April 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen C
St. John's, Canada3,051 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
I came here just to photograph the inside - it's very cool looking! I tend to visit cool looking libraries when on vacation. This one did not disappoint.
One note, I walked in a took a picture and the security guard came over and told me that if I was going to be taking a lot of photos that I had to sign a form. So I signed it, had to fill in my name, address, state why I was taking pictures (I just said personal use), etc.
It is wheelchair accessible.
One note, I walked in a took a picture and the security guard came over and told me that if I was going to be taking a lot of photos that I had to sign a form. So I signed it, had to fill in my name, address, state why I was taking pictures (I just said personal use), etc.
It is wheelchair accessible.
Written May 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelguru-su
Toronto, Ontario, Canada2,038 contributions
Sept 2015 • Solo
Toronto Reference Library is a beautifully designed open space metropolitan library by architect Raymond Moriyama. Its atrium shows the greatness of the building and allows natural light from its stylish skylight. Every kind of literature may be found on its shelves from all over the world.
Written September 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wayne300944
Toronto, Canada389 contributions
Sept 2014 • Business
I came here a few years ago for a conference (a conference in a library??) and came today to be filmed re the library's work for the Toronto Book Awards. If that makes you wonder if the library houses books and watches over them like a hawk, that's good. This is a library for the 21st century -- all about welcoming and engaging people with different kinds of information.
They have a digital information hub, a picture exhibit of the history of Toronto's waterfront, announcements of various speakers on various topics, a range of free computer and Internet services.
I came at 900 in the morning and the place was already half-filled.
Libraries are great equalizers. Whatever your income level, you can access the worlds of information and engagement for free at a beautiful and comfortable library. I don't even know if you still have to stay quiet!
Libraries are very popular in Toronto, almost untouchable politically, as Mayor Ford found out early in his term.
The popularity of the library as a fixture for community gave some of us -- I review the story in my e-book, Food for City Building -- the idea that every neighbourhood in Canada should have a community food centre, just like every neighbourhood now has a parkette, elementary school, fire hall....and library. You might say that the movement for community food centres owes its inspiration to the library movement of 150 years ago.
May information and engagement spread!
They have a digital information hub, a picture exhibit of the history of Toronto's waterfront, announcements of various speakers on various topics, a range of free computer and Internet services.
I came at 900 in the morning and the place was already half-filled.
Libraries are great equalizers. Whatever your income level, you can access the worlds of information and engagement for free at a beautiful and comfortable library. I don't even know if you still have to stay quiet!
Libraries are very popular in Toronto, almost untouchable politically, as Mayor Ford found out early in his term.
The popularity of the library as a fixture for community gave some of us -- I review the story in my e-book, Food for City Building -- the idea that every neighbourhood in Canada should have a community food centre, just like every neighbourhood now has a parkette, elementary school, fire hall....and library. You might say that the movement for community food centres owes its inspiration to the library movement of 150 years ago.
May information and engagement spread!
Written September 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maxine
Toronto, Canada5 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
As a fourth generation Torontonian , and someone who actually grew up in this city, it is sad to see the state that this library is in now. The pond as you walk in is non-functional , and the library is full of vagrants and homeless people looking for somewhere warm to sleep, because the shelter system is ineffective and over-run. Pre-pandemic, I used to spend many hours here studying because I loved all of the natural light coming in and how there were so many cozy/quiet spots to study in; however there are many perverts who come in and harass young female students as this has happened to me numerous times. There is a lot of theft so don’t leave anything unattended. And this particular library has a huge bedbug problem so be careful about where you sit or put your personal belongings (I once left my knapsack on the carpeted floor beside me and witnessed a bedbug trying to crawl into my bag- I squished it with a Kleenex and blood came out). I showed the librarian and she admitted they had a huge infestation on the fourth floor. Be careful where you sit! I found studying with earphones in prevented creepy men from trying to talk to me so that helps! Good luck!
Written December 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. I am visiting Toronto for an exam and would need a quiet place where I can sit with my books and laptop alone for 7-8 hrs to study on the day before the exam. Can I do that here? I am not a canadian citizen.
Written June 2, 2018
No, There is street parking which is paid and you will get a ticket of at least $30 if do not comply.
Written March 12, 2018
Hi, we are coming from Vancouver, BC and will stay in Toronto for a week. Is there any chances my daughter can book the piano room as she is prepping for her ARCT exam? If not, do you know where we could go to play the piano for free or a low rental fee? We have street pianos here in Vancouver and I've heard that they also have it in Montreal. Does Toronto have street pianos as well? Thank you!
Written August 12, 2015
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