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Gerstein Science Information Centre
Category: Public Services & Government Libraries Libraries [Edit]
7-9 King's College CirToronto, ON M5S 1A5
Neighbourhoods: University of Toronto, Downtown Core
(416) 978-2280
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 8:30 am - 11 pm
Fri 8:30 am - 6 pm
Sat 9 am - 10 pm
Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
8 reviews for Gerstein Science Information Centre
8 reviews in English
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Review from Susan G.
2/28/2012
Gerstein, in my opinion, is the nicest library on campus.
As the science library on campus, the stacks are full of science papers and textbooks - but really the best thing about this library is all the study space!
People are pretty hardcore at Gerstein, especially during exams. There is always a crowd waiting for them to open the doors on the weekends, and it really is best to go early, especially if you have a favorite spot (two below at the back by the window, anyone?).
They have three floors of tables where 6 or so people can sit, each with its own plug and light. They also have what I fondly call "the fortress" in the stacks - individual study carrells which also have their own light (and even a coat hook!) There are also "silent reading rooms", tables in the cafeteria, and even group study rooms.
Gerstein is a peaceful looking library in neutral beiges and browns. It is definitely what a stressed out UofT student needs during exams (not the bright red, yellow, blue theme of the Robarts stacks!)
So, go forth and study. But don't talk, listen to your music too loud, or eat food with noisy wrappers - or the hardcore students at Gerstein will eat you alive! -
Review from Johnny H.
Toronto, ON
5/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good place to study. Booths are large and spacious. Tables have lamps and power outlets. There are multiple levels for the study areas. The atmosphere is very modern and warm. It doesn't have that pale white lighting or shady furnitures. It is very clean and well-organized to help you concentrate on whatever you are doing. Noise level is quite minimal but it isn't vacuum-quiet.
There is also a large room for computer stations and large tables where you can work on group projects. There is a cafe in the basement. But bathrooms seem dirty all the time. -
Review from Dishan W.
4/4/2012
Towards the latter years of my undergraduate Gerstein took over from Robarts as my study library of choice and looking back I don't know why I never picked it in the first place.
It's so well kept inside with all the readings room having large windows to daydream your study times away. You see squirrels frolicking in the grass while protestors marching on Queen's Park are an equal,y common sight (and then you go on twitter and find out what all the fuss is about).
The people that stick to Gerstein almost seem to have a cult-like community (at least it was so in my day) with each level of reading room having similar types of people that favour it. But when exams come all loyalties are laid to waste in the quest to find empty seats.
They have a good short term loan section which I used towards the end of my undergrad instead of buying the textbook for a class or two and for the most part availability was good. But come exam time everyone migrates on to libraries so any resource that's offered is stretched to the limit.
Their small group study rooms are good if you want to meet to discuss group projects like poster presentations. They have computer terminals on each level although most don't offer seats, so it's more conducive to look up what you want and keep moving. Wifi is reliable, they loose out on a star thanks to the lacklustre food service available which unfortunately is a UofT wide pandemic (but I hear it keeps getting better).
It's not the prettiest or quietest library on campus, but it does a great job in finding that nice middle ground so that it attracts not only life sci students but a lot of undergrads and grad students alike. -
Review from Michael L.
Richmond Hill, ON
2/21/2012
If you are going to learn anything from this, Come Here Early!!
Gerstein has a great setup going and with the recent changes to the layout on the first floor it only gets better. The study tables and cubicles are spacious and brightly lit. Noise levels are beyond minimal in all of the areas and save for the winter months where pretty much every floor has a sniffer (I'm guilty of being one =P) its a great place if your study zen state is tranquility and silence.
I find that the main and 1st basement floors offer the best levels of natural light, which is by far the least straining ways to read IMO. The computer areas on the main floor are very comfortable, but also fill up quickly like the rest of the library.
The cafe is cramped and slightly stuffy so I'd say if you are willing to take a study break for food, make the trek to the med sci building cafe, which has much more space. It will be much louder than gerstein's cafe, but then again you're eating lunch so it shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Note: Wifi is "free", technically tuition pays for it.Listed in: Let's get Chillin
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Review from Saman Z.
Toronto, ON
1/3/2011
This is actually my favourite place in the world!!
I can write long essays about Gerstein, and go on for pages telling my stories in the stacks, but suffice it to say it is the best place for U of T students to study.
It gets way too busy during exam periods, and students from other schools (including Queen's Med students who always wear their school gear) also flood the library making it hard for U of T students to find seats unless they line up early in the morning! For me, this is just a testament to how good the place is! -
Review from Christian D.
3/1/2011
Haha.. i looked this up for kicks, but not surprised there's an entry.
Heck yes - Gerstein is wicked, although a little too busy during peak times so it's hard to find a seat. I agree with the other reviewer, I wish there were more Gersteins!
Aesthetically pleasing - but not distractingly so. Love the big windows. Every single seat has a lamp + outlet + ethernet.
-1 because the cafeteria closes too early (I goto the library during the evening and have to leave the building to get a coffee) -
Review from Vivien L.
6/5/2011
I actually really enjoy studying at Gerstein's. It's probably because of all the options you have available to you. All the study areas have such varying styles and yet they all combine to create Gerstein's.
You can grab a bite to eat at the cafe located near the entrance, there are also people that study in there too. As you walk in past the security towers, on the left there's a room that's nice to study in when it's sunny outside because of the huge windows. If you walk past it, short term loan is on the left also. There's also the reading room on the right when you walk in the front which is just a bunch of rows of tables. If you walk further there are more tables in the little room. It truly has the "library" feel to it because of the dark wood and beige walls. Also there's a study room bove the reading room apparently.. I haven't ventured up there yet.
There's the basement where you can get group study rooms or random tables and chairs beside the stacks. There's also this huge giant room with group study tables you can go to, but it gets reallly hot in there during the summer.
Lastly there are the study floors called 1 below and 2 below that look more modern. Overall you can really have fun exploring Gerstein, and it's also easy to change your surroundings if you need!Listed in: Good Ol' UofT
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Review from Deanna W.
12/5/2009
Another magnificent library that is perfect for pouring your 'brain equity' into, as the conditions here are optimal for some hard core studying or research. Whether you're a life science/med student, budding engineer, actuary or financial egghead in training you'll find that the Gerstein library is the perfect partner for some quiet, in-depth work. Most of the patrons here are serious minded folk keen on their work although bumping into a group of noisy chatterboxes is not entirely unexpected...usually I just pack up and move to another part of this sprawling complex. There are plenty of study desks replete with bright reading lamps and ethernet jacks and the stylish classic chairs are fairly comfy too although a little hard on the butt after a few hours! The renovated interior of the building is something to behold as well with the tall glass windows and modern Morrison Pavillion contrasting with the classic neo-gothic look of the renovated heritage reading room. Bee-yoo-tee-ful.
Washrooms are present on almost every tier of this huge building and there is also a cafeteria and eating area present on the lower level. Hours are convenient for studying during the academic year-open early till late on weekdays. We need more libraries like this they are truly a delight to visit and work in.Listed in: Libraries of Toronto
