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Bloor Gladstone Branch Public Library
Category: Public Services & Government Libraries Libraries [Edit]
1101 Bloor St WToronto, ON M6H 1M7
Neighbourhood: Dovercourt
(416) 393-7674
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 8:30 pm
Sat 9 am - 5 pm
Sun 1:30 pm - 5 pm
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
11 reviews for Bloor Gladstone Branch Public Library
11 reviews in English
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Review from Joey S.
Toronto, ON
This is an architecturally gorgeous space, that has excellent WiFi and plenty of electrical plugs for personal electronics. Since this is a district library, it has consistent hours and is open on Sundays during the school-year. It has a great meeting space, and has a decent audio/visual collection.
Since it is on the Bloor-Danforth TTC subway line, I get off at Dufferin and walk the one block it takes to get to Bloor-Gladstone. When I am not using TPL's Reference Library, or the University of Toronto's Robarts Library, this is where I go to read, write and relax with a book or digital media, or watch the street-life unfold below me. -
Review from Howard H.
8/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
A great branch of a great library! The Gladstone branch is almost 2 libraries and one; there is the beautifully restored original portion as well as the ultramodern Borg cube that is the right half of the building. Great super comfy armchairs with built-in laptop surfaces, decent FREE WiFi and one of the best selections of DVDs.
The only real con is that the place can be a bit noisy due to inherent structural issues as well as unchecked loud people and, the lowest of the low, library cell phone talkers. -
Review from canadian i.
Toronto, ON
2/6/2011
There are better libraries than the Gladstone branch, but if you live in the neighbourhood and this happens to be your only benchmark, you really should get out to the other locations.
Yes the architecture and interior design here is nice, but there are some negatives which can detract from the experience:
- spotty wifi: In general the TPL rules the internet airwaves with a heavy hand (over restrictive proxy practices, bandwidth throttling perhaps) but for some reason this library was slower than the rest.
- the main foyer area is a class-A noise-generator and unfortunately this permeates throughout the library. People talk out loud when entering and this echoes off the walls and into other areas... but the worst is the chatter (screaming) from the children's area located on the lower level which for some reason does not have any walls or doors to contain both the noise and stray kids wandering around.
- the ONE place in the library that is quiet is on the second floor furthest to the east, but realestate is in high demand here and the area is not laptop friendly since there aren't many tables near the windows that have power outlets. I did bring an extension cord and ran it from one of the outlets, but the punchy security guard with the bad moustache shut that down pretty fast (tripping hazard apparently.. who knew).
- if you do manage to get a seat with a view the homeless people yelling at the pedestrians outside can be a bit distracting.
Don't get me wrong: I do like the renewal that the libraries are undergoing, but dealing with the hard rules and logistics is a stark reminder that it's still a municipal service run by a commission with their own interpretation of 'Community Service'
For a better experience, try the newly reno'd Northern District branch at yonge/eg with decent views and plenty of laptop stations in quiet areas. OR the Toronto Reference Library, which hosted a live hardcore punk band recenty... now that's the spirit! -
Review from Christine H.
Toronto, ON
2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
One of the cleanest and most comfortable Toronto libraries. It's relatively new so the selection needs to grow a bit but they have newer versions on most books.
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
Love Bloor Gladstone Library! It is the best Toronto Public library I been to!
Love how the new and the old structure just compliment and blend with each other so nicely... love the old arches and the vaulted ceilings.. love the big huge windows that letting in all the sunshine...
Love the free WIFI.. and the numerous electric outlets for laptops or whatever you need to charge up!
Love those comfy individual armchairs... I can just have a power nap in one of them anytime!
Love the location! Right across from Dufferin subway station...
I am in LOVE!! -
Review from Matthew S.
Toronto, ON
1/20/2010
A recent renovation has made this my favourite library branch in town. It's bright, open, and inviting. Lots of comfortable chairs to sit in, plenty of desk space, and free WiFi. I think they did a great job incorporating the new addition with the original brick building.
As for the books, I can't really comment on the selection as I usually go with a specific book in mind and have never browsed the collection before. But, it's pretty much irrelevant anyway because:
Pro Tip: The Toronto Public Library website allows members to order books online and have them delivered to any library in the city. With a service like that I don't see any reason to buy books anymore. -
Review from Val G.
There is a library here but it's terrible so don't go.
It's been open since July and you can see a lot of money was spent on the renovation and restoration. Now it's all modern and good-looking, stream-line and chic in a non-libraryish way. The addition is almost entirely glass and brings in a lot of natural light which is just horrible because we all know that sunlight gives you cancer and burns your retinas.
What's worse is that this library improvement could be a sign of things to come. What will happen to all those beloved 1960s-era, dim, windowless, but cozy bombshelters that represent the essence of TLP?
I say boycott the Bloor/Gladstone Library. We need to protect and preserve those dark and dank libraries and our retinas from this eminent threat. -
Review from Erin B.
6/1/2010 14 Check-ins Here
From the moment I first walked into this library, I've been completely in love. Huge ceiling arches, bright sunlight streaming through floor to ceiling windows in the new section, and many many places to curl up with a book or some homework. Sold.
This library is so magical (I'm almost convinced that faeries are involved) that the computers know which books you're checking out without the involvement of a single human. (i know about rif technology, but prefer to maintain my faerie hypothesis). -
Review from Marie F.
2/4/2011 6 Check-ins Here
This is quite possibly one of the nicest libraries in the city.
With two large glass and stone fireplaces, tons of computer stations and free Wifi this place is great.
I didin't find their selection all that great but you can always have books you need shipped in from other locations with the online hold option. -
Review from Paul J.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 1/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
In the new year the wifi seems to have gotten sorted out. I am kinda annoyed because I bought a 3g wireless modem for my laptop because it wouldn't work for me.
It has a lot of homeless - looking types around. The staff can seem overly officious but I guess I can't blame them. They, in many ways are more guard than curator and they do a good job with the law and order side of things.
The architectural features are so fine that I can put up with a lot here - big (gas) fireplaces, cathedral ceilings, tons of features. Delicious.
Nothing to really complain about. The staff would probably be more surrounded by the literati by working at a Chapters however1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/26/2010
Beautiful. Great renovation. Just one tiny little detail that means I won't be going back. The… Read more »
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Review from Sam G.
Toronto, ON
7/21/2010
Wow, I was shocked when I stopped in to check my email one sunny day. Recently renovated in a modern, large window, high-tech motif that in many ways would hold its own with large corporation meeting room facilities. Great spot to read and use the interweb and right across from Dufferin subway station.
