Next to the Reference Library, this is my favourite branch of the Toronto Public Library - mostly…read morethanks to the wicked awesome building it's situated in. Because it's a bit of an older building there's nothing particularly flash about this particular branch, but I think it's got quite a character of its own, especially with the odd round reading room on the south side of the building. Services are decent (they have a small bank of computers), there's a reasonable selection of stuff on shelves and they are a reasonable location to grab holds from. There's a bit of bottlenecking near the stairs/entrance if there's a bit of a lineup, but most of the rest of the building you won't find hard to get around. Unlike the Ref. Library - and despite the building's awesomeness - I generally don't aim to spend time here; just get my books and scoot. A short walk from bus/streetcar stops and St Clair West station makes this ideally situated. If it were open 7 days a week, I think I could squeeze in an extra star. [They do get bonus points for appearing in the Scott Pilgrim comics *and* movie though.]

*50th library review..... half way…read more Meh..... I have been two other branches that look like this Beaches and High Park so as far as unique looking it not anything special. So from first looks it was an appealing branch, one of older one in area that had a few renovation but it still looks like it once did decent size library despite it is 3 floor, it not that big overall the main floor is small, where the cirlication and kid section is, the second floor is adult area which had like 4 table to work at maybe half a dozen computer, seem like smaller then other two. The third floor is a mini floor with few tables and booth I will say my review would be better but it seem like this a noisy because of open concept, there seem to be a few crazy and drunk people, there seem to be machine that make noise one in a while, so isnt serene enviroment to study at but it not the worse I've been.

I used to go to this library a lot when I was a kid. There was a huge children's section, and now…read morethat it's been renovated (around ten years ago), pretty much the whole lower level is for kids. The upper floor has a large teen section, computers in the middle, adult fiction and non-fiction sections, and a fairly large CD and DVD (TV shows and movies) section, with plenty of seating throughout. I had visited on a weekday around noon. The teenagers from the high school across the street must've been on lunch break since there were so many of them around.

Cedarbrae Public Library has been serving the local community since November 1966…read more Of course there had been numerous expansions and renovations over the years... and Cedarbrae library I had to say it the best library I been to in the Toronto area. Why 5 Star?! A library that good?! - Exterior architecturally pleasing to look at - Interior Modern and chic like a boutique hotel lobby - Tons of windows with natural sunlight - Airy and Spacious interior - Comfortable chairs to chill or to take a nap - Electric outlets!! Even have that incorporate into the coffee tables - Great collections of all ethnic books - Free WIFI Even a TV showing CP24 in the casual reading area!! I wish all libraries are like that..........................

I was at Thornhill Community Centre for Happy Cute Mart a few Saturdays ago. When I was first there…read morein June 2024, I eyed visiting this library at this community centre. Sadly, I did so much damage at Happy Cute Mart that going in with bags of plushies and purchases wasn't in the cards. Don't get me wrong. I did do damage earlier this month at Happy Cute Mart, but I had a single bag full of purchases this time. It was easier for me to haul it into the library. This part still feels a bit embarrassing to me. I had a Markham library card in the 2000's. I stopped going to Markham libraries for some inexplicable reason. When I changed jobs in 2010, I ended up getting a Mississauga library card because I worked in this city and I could get one for free. I've been going to Mississauga libraries a lot more and neglecting my homebase ones. Well, I fixed that issue. I walked into this library and headed to customer service to get a new Markham library card. The woman who helped me was great. She first did a search with my phone number to see whether I was in the system. I didn't think that I would be. She confirmed that fact. Presenting my driver's licence was enough to get a free Markham library card. You need to be living or working in Markham (Thornhill is a part of Markham for a library card) to get a library card for free. My driver's licence had my current home address. All was well. On a piece of paper, she asked me to enter my e-mail address and phone number. She then entered everything into the system and activated my library card. I thanked her. I then went browsing around this library. My first impression of it? It's huge. There are three floors. The main floor has a lot going on. Cookbooks and audiobooks caught my attention. This library has extensive movie sections. Yes, plural. You can rent DVDs and Blu-ray disc movies. There was a bin full of items for sale. Although it was labelled a book sale, it had records, audiobooks, and more. The main floor also has a computer lab. If you don't have a laptop with you, you can use any desktop computer in this room. There were study rooms on all three floors. They were getting a lot of use when I was there on a Saturday afternoon. The top floor has teen books. The lower level has kids books. For adults, you're on the main floor. It's where I was for the majority of my self-tour. You can check out your books and more at one of the kiosks. It's like going to the grocery store kiosk, except that you scan your library card, and then your books or other materials that you are about to borrow. I loved dropping by this library. I spent roughly thirty minutes doing a self-tour and looking at books, DVDs, and more. I'm so glad that I have a Markham library card again. I look forward to returning and borrowing items soon. (447)

A facelift! A makeover!…read more New shelves, New layout... and Tons of Tons of Comfy Armchairs! (Maybe they read my review?) Those huge windows makes some of the sitting area feels like a Sun room! Staffs are so friendly and ask if I need any help.. as apparently they relocated some of the collections to different area of the library.. There are so many different quiet spots with cozy seating! I can stay here for a few hours and just chill!

This is actually an incredible library. They offer movie showings, a maker's lab, a huge number of…read morebooks, private little rooms that can be booked out for study and group work, and the Nintendo Switch lounge. It's pretty incredible to see all the different things that they have on offer!

Visited Hazel McCallion Central Library…read more Lovely interior design, too bad the Tim Horton not open yet. I don't see the guitar or drum room, visited all 4 floors A bit disappointed

Nice library, but no idea why it closes at 5pm on a Friday?! Shouldn't this be the one day it's…read moreopen late? Also, Yelp needs to update this library's hours, as this High Park branch is not closed on Sundays but is in fact open on Sundays from 12pm to 5pm

This is a well-loved library, but neat and tidy too. Its kids book area is smartly downstairs (keep…read morethe critters in one place) and the adult stuff upstairs. High arching ceilings, loads of reading chairs, computers and large tables to stretch out and work at are in abundance......having said that, I LOVE the kids section best. It has a great wall-carpeted reading cove that you just want to cuddle into like a big blue hug (the carpet is blue). Plus with so many great activities available for kids (and adults), and the ability to order books from all the branches, I've said it before and I'll say it again....THE LIBRARIES IN TORONTO ROCK, PEOPLE! Go get a card now if you don't have one!

We were here for the Keychain trading event. Every branch of Markham Public Library has their own…read moretrading date. We have to collect 6 keychains to get a secret keychain. Kids can exchange extra ones with others, in order to get all them different 6. We came in early that my little one could explore the kids room a bit. Then exactly at 2pm, the program room door opened for trading. At the beginning, we could just ask around, because the library didn't have extra keychains anymore. I was lucky to find someone exchange with me. And seems everyone missing the Bubble Tea one. About 20mins late, a staff from the head quarter office arrived with all keychains, kids could exchange with her for all they wanted. This event was so much fun and it made us visit different locations, and kids could explore the libraries.

I don't know why I always have problem locating Unionville Branch of the Markham Library with my…read morepre-GPS era. Tucked inside Old Unionville, trying to blend with surrounding country styled small town architecture, the library itself does look like one of the bigger bungalows in the area from outside. The library itself is only 1 level, so compare to the newly renovated library, it is a lot smaller. Love the open area with high ceiling where the administrative area located. The seatings here are more formal with tables and chairs and lack of those really comfy laptop friendly armchair seating compare to the newer libraries in the area. However, superfast/reliable/free Wifi access!! Great for posting yelp photos and doing reviews... Less students hanging around in group studying, there are not too many private group study rooms but it might be a blessing if you want some peace and quiet!

I used to visit this library often for a few reasons. I used to attend Cantonese classes a couple…read moreof blocks away on Saturdays when I was in elementary school till grade 10. After classes, I would often come here to borrow books or music before hopping on the streetcar to head home. This library sits on the northwest corner of Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street East, in the heart of Chinatown (it's called east Chinatown these days, but I've always called it the Broadview one). It's steps away from the old Don Jail. This library branch is also a Toronto heritage site. As a high school student, there were two libraries where my friends and I were asked by libraries to quiet down. I was a quiet student, but collaborating with others caused a lot of laughter. We got reprimanded for laughing too loudly. At Riverdale library, a couple of friends and I were practising our skit for Chinese school with puppets. Something was so funny that we all laughed out loud. The librarian on staff at the time was not amused. I didn't have a chance to go inside on Saturday. I am sure that things have changed inside since I was last there what feels like eons ago, but the exterior looks the same to me. It has reopened, but with reduced hours. It's open from 9 am till 8:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. It's 9 am till 5 pm, Friday through Saturday. The fact that it's currently closed on Sundays is reminiscent to the hours it had when I was an elementary student. There isn't a dedicated parking lot for this library. You can park on a side street for free, or pay for parking on either Broadview or Gerrard Street East with Green P. I never thought about parking as a student because I was always riding the TTC. I remember a large selection of Chinese books and music, in addition to a decent selection for fiction in English. I hope that the variety is still great. On Saturday, there was a security guard standing in front of the main entrance. It's nice to know that this library is taking precautions to ensure that everyone is healthy and safe during this pandemic. (282)

The refusal to help incident that happened at this library on Nov 29/24 is merely a tip of an…read moreiceberg of the Toronto Public Library bureaucracy & relatively heartless & selective rules/policies overrule humanity culture based on my personal grievance & all negative experiences with Toronto Public Library, top to bottom. This little girl is super fortunate to get at least some media attention & an obvious meaningless ''apology'' from TPL within days comparing to all the disappointments, harassments, intimidations, insults, refusal to really listen or help that I have encountered for over 16 years with this arrogant institution. Countless of much more serious & on-going occurrences have simply ignored by not only TPL Board of Directors, but also the Mayor, City Manager, Ombudsman, Integrity Commissioner, city councillor & the media by and large. I absolutely realize that many traditional Canadian values such as compassion, genuine help to a needy fellow human being, personal integrity, honesty, sense of fairness & common justice are already long gone & disappearing for decades & seeming ONLY EXIST IN POLITICAL SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS FOR PEOPLE TO SELF INDULGE & CHEER ABOUT, AT LEAST IN & AROUND TORONTO AS I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCE IN OTHER PARTS OF CANADA FOR OVER 40 YEARS In my one & a half decades of dealing with Toronto Public Library & their many so called Directors & Managers with fancy titles , I have been personally experiencing much incompetency, cunning acts & tactics, dragging & ignoring strategies, lying, bully & even censorship, threats & oppression from high management of Toronto Public Library simply because I keep voicing out ( I really do not think I would get any help at all from whoever EVEN IF I CRY like this little girl) my legitimate grievances & on-going concerns & their total failure to provide a very basic safe & quiet area for people who find excessive ongoing human noises intrusive & annoying & hostile/aggressive library users disruptive & unsafe to be nearby The Toronto Public Library Branch Operations & Customer Experience Director Mohammed Hosseini-Ara has been successful in his censorship & threatening in pushing an already socially & financially marginalized senior into further isolation by avoiding using our tax funded public library & resources. 16 years of absolute disappointments & intimidations is enough.

Can be very busy, especially near or during the weekend, but frequently there are plenty of places…read moreto sit and read or use your phone or tablet. Staff extremely helpful, friendly, and professional, especially for being able to get a refund from my library card which I needed returned for other expenses. Computers are usually mostly if not completely taken, especially at peak demand times. Still, love this library.

When you are early for your meet up near Little Italy...and you need somewhere to recharge your…read moreelectronic devices or use the Wifi or just to hang...I would definitely suggest you hop by Pape/Danforth Library! I parked myself right by the window on the 2nd level overlooking Pape...and there are electric outlets right there too!! Zzzzz Zzzzzzz And if you are not into chilling or playing with your electronics... there are some cozy armchairs for you to read magazines.... to kill some time!