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789 Yonge St
Toronto, ON M4W 2G8
(416) 395-5577
Toronto, ON M4W 2G8
(416) 395-5577
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 9:30 am - 8:30 pm
Fri 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
Sat 9 am - 5 pm
Sun 1:30 pm - 5 pm
14 reviews for Toronto Reference Library
All Reviews
Toronto Reference Library
5/14/2010
I spent a bit of time here during my visit to Toronto mainly because I kept getting caught in the rain and needed a dependable retreat. Enter the Toronto Reference Library.
Not only is this place warm and welcoming (they have water fountains and plants lining the lobby as you walk in), but they have the most extensive selection of reference books in all of Toronto. To add, they also have an entire information commons where people who have memberships (and even those who don't) can use their complimentary Internet.
I was super impressed with this library - it's one of the nicest ones I've ever seen and again, it carries the most extensive selection of reference books that I have ever seen.
The staff is friendly and helpful and the library is frequented by seniors, students and singles alike.
Toronto Reference Library
12/11/2009
I use to study a lot at the TRL . I was just there a couple of days ago and forgot why I liked the place so much. It is great for many reasons:
1. It had wireless internet
2. There was a lot of space
3. Had plugs to hook up your laptops
4. Had HUGE tables to spread out all my notes
5. since it was so huge, it was somewhat quiet b/c the noise couldn't really bounce off the walls.
6. There was greenery inside
7. The library was literally opened from morning until night (except weekends) so it gave me the chance to study as long as I wanted w/o being kicked out.
8. you can eat and study on the first floor
The only things that annoyed me (but only a tad) was:
1. There are only a very limited # of plugs to hook up your laptop on the first floor so you have to get there early or be lucky that they're not taken. (I liked the 1st floor b/c you could eat while studying)
2. A lot of tutoring happens on the first floor so it gets a little loud.
3. Sometimes ppl smell....
What's really funny though is if you get to the TRL before it opens (they allow you to wait in the foyer), you see all these men of different ages lining up to the gates. They really look like a pack of bulls getting ready to charge. You can see them all starting to get antsy while they wait for security to give them the ok. And when security opens the gates, they all rush in like a stampede racing for the finish line. It's actually a little scary. You really have to move with the pack otherwise you'll get trampled. I don't suggest that this is something you have to experience in your lifetime but it's funny nonetheless.
Listed in: Government Services
Toronto Reference Library
Updated - 8/14/2009
Just a postscript to my previous review. I still love the TRL, and it is a wonderful institution - but it's a frikkin' labour of love getting things from the stacks. In list form:
1. Find I can request books from the stacks on computer. Oooh! This is easy.
2. Find out I can pick which floor they show up on. Oops, some of them are being sent to the wrong floor. Go in, seconds after I made the request, and update the request with the right floor.
3. Wait the suggested 15-20 minutes before looking at the hold shelves.
4. 40 minutes after I make the request, find some of them on the wrong floor. Where are the rest?
5. The lady at the general enquiry desk directs me to the holds people. After I get someone's attention, he promises to go look.
6. Half an hour later, find out the books have disappeared.
7. Make more requests on the computer; wait forty minutes. When the books don't arrive, go home tired.
TRL, I love you, but you need to fix this.
Listed in: Toronto Libraries
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/28/2009
I love going into the Toronto Reference Library. The grand central court has an airy, grand feeling… Read more »
Toronto Reference Library
2/10/2009
I'd have to say the Toronto Reference Library is one of the best public libraries in the city.
I thought it would be kinda noisy as it's very large and open however that's not the case.
If you can't find a book at school defiantly check the catalogue of TRL because they'll probably have it. This has happened to me on way to many occasions where the books I need have been taken out already at all the libraries at UofT so I checked the TRL and it saved my life.
What to expect when you go to the library... some of the libraries and people who work there aren't really all that pleasant but there are some who are really helpful. There's a main computer area on the main floor and a dozen on the other floors so if you need to use one and forgot you laptop you can hook that up with no problem. Not to mention since it's a reference library there's a whole bunch of photocopiers so if you can't stay you can just photocopy the pages you need.
If you do plan on staying to study, and like to study in quiet, then I'd suggest going to one of the higher floors or getting a private study room on the main floor. Most people are studying and grabbing books from the 1st and 2nd floor, so there can be some distraction. Just go up a floor or two and it's all good.
Toronto Reference Library
3/6/2009
If there was a battle between metropolitan libraries, Vancouver's grand coliseum would Ko TRL anyday. There I said it. Never been that enamoured with TRL for looks but then again the sweeping modern look of Vancouver's library has captured my heart.
Aesthetics aside, TRL is a big expansive cavernous creature with tons of room and tables for reading, studying or writing. Plus one can never complain with free wireless hanging around and the folks there are very friendly and most everyone who frequents this place is mindful of privacy and noise levels.
Listed in: Libraries of Toronto
Toronto Reference Library
12/16/2008
Lots of books.
FREE.
Lots of computers.
FREE!
Very friendly staff.
Cool elevators.
Wireless internet.
FREE
Comfy chairs.
Easy to get to.
Open every day -- all you need is a library card.
No resevation necessary.
Toronto Reference Library
1/7/2009
1 photo
BROADCASTING LIVE, IN FULL EFFECT, from the Toronto Reference Library...
Yes, that's right. Free wireless Internet, y'all. Why go to a café when I can smuggle in my Nalgene and type away for free?
This library doesn't have the serious, academic flavour of other grand city libraries, but it's big, open, and I always find a good seat to study. I spent a lot of my waking hours working on my fourth-year thesis, so it really feels like a second home. And the staff has always pointed me in the right direction whenever I needed their help.
Aside from the actual library offerings, one of my favourite things to do is to zone out near the balcony and peer down at the other patrons who are trying not to fall asleep at their study carrels.
PS. What are those security guards checking for at the exit? They always ask, but 90% of the time their eyes are looking in the opposite direction of my bag.
Listed in: Toronto: Staying connected on…
Toronto Reference Library
2/18/2009
3 Check-ins Here
I was on my way home from some errand running when I suddenly realized I could no longer hold my bladder - the Toronto Reference Library was the only reputable establishment in sight so I stopped in to check it out.
I was absolutely astounded by what I saw on my first visit - people READING BOOKS. And studying. And they weren't all students - it was people of all ages and walks of life enjoying the library's materials. Dozens upon dozens of computer terminals, magazine stations and benches all teeming with voracious information consumers. What a pleasant surprise!
Toronto Reference Library
1/16/2009
40 photos
Even if you were to disregard the books, the services, the accessibility to precious information that this library offers, it would still get five stars.
It's such a great space to work, and even just sort of wander around and get warm (which is what I did when I took all my photos).
The architecture is sort of new AGO-esque, with its winding staircases, but its also got lots of amazing bits of natural elements in it. Two ponds (one with a mini-waterfall) are at each end of the buildings ground floor (there are 6 floors) and the PLANTS! They're everywhere, and they're old and established and full of personality (see my photos).
But most of all, the reference is a great place to go to work outside of your home and still feel....comfortable. There's great area's to sit, whether its at a big desk or in front of a computer and the lighting! Let's just say I don't envy the person in charge of making sure all the lights in the reference library aren't burnt out.
Listed in: My FIVE Star Toronto, Book Nooks
Toronto Reference Library
12/2/2008
This library does carry the biggest collection of all Toronto libraries, it's in a central location in the city, and it has been helpful to my life on many occasions (mostly in high school).
However, this library loses a star partially just on the faults of the Toronto Public Library system in general. You'd think that in a library that hold so many people and books on a daily basis, that they would update the library more often, and replace books that go lost or missing. But I've had so many experiences where I'll be at another library and will search for a book that is at the Reference Library, and upon arrival, will see that the book is nowhere to be found.
My experiences with staff at the Library have not been good either -- while looking through newspaper microfilm, I had a problem with the machine, and received little to no help in fixing it.
But, hey, if you are writing an essay and you don't go to U of T (therefore no access to Robarts), then TRL is a decent choice -- it's exponentially better than the Ryerson library, that's for sure.
Toronto Reference Library
12/12/2008
Seriously, this place is better than the internet. If you're doing research on anything, whether it be an essay for school, a project for work or just for your own interest, this place is amazing when it comes to hard facts about pretty much everything. And while I suppose you could say that about most libraries, I must emphasize that the TRL is the king of libraries.
To me, this has always been the main downtown library. It's a 5 floored monster with books on most subjects. Many a time in my school going days I would find myself spending a day here just working on essays.
The lower level has a big archive of old news papers, so if you're a master in the art of patience, you can go through the literally thousands of archived newspapers on those film strip viewing machines (the name of which currently escapes me...)
In general, libraries are a place where you'll often get shushed. That is even truer in here. If you come to socialize, you'll probably get shushed 30 times in the first 30 seconds. Just a warning.
Toronto Reference Library
9/13/2008
2 photos
If you want to go to a big public library, this is the one. The Reference Library is huge and imposing from the outside, but they have a great selection of reference materials (obviously). Some of the rarer stuff in the TPL catalogue (like, say, old LPs) is only kept at the Reference Library.
It's good for doing research, especially on local matters, and since it's not a lending library, what you're looking for won't have been checked out by someone else by the time you get there. It's spacious and serene inside, so it's a good place to peruse materials as well.
The downside, of course, is that you can't take anything out, either. You can make photocopies (by getting them to put credit on your library card), but the price isn't very economical, so it helps to have a good idea of what you really need to take back with you.
Toronto Reference Library
10/3/2008
The Toronto Reference Library (TRL) is one very impressive building in which Toronto does not take enough pride. I am not really speaking of the actual building, which is nice, but nothing really to write home about, but what it houses. The TRL is one of the most impressive reference libraries in the country and the whole city seems very blasé about the whole thing. I will admit it is a library and some people don't like libraries, but it is a wonderful library where you can read or study in peace or look up pretty much anything. I think that every resident of Toronto should visit the Reference Library at least once, it's very nice and worth the visit.
Like the review? Check out the link to my blog on my profile.
Toronto Reference Library
1/9/2009
i never spent any time studying at the reference library but what is clear is that there are hundreds of places to sit and work. everyone usually respects the silence needed to focus on ones tasks. every time ive been the computers seem to be tied up, but mainly ive been here for the performance section on the fifth floor.
behind the counter they have requests written on a whiteboard and other items they just got in i think. i dont know if its librarians as a creed of people, as a group of people whove been trained to use the same expressions, but they all seem to be upset when ever im there. like their underwear keeps getting bunched up. like they have a co-worker who has bad gas and seems even proud of it.
i dont know if i could say that i love any particular library because i think i have a tendency to fall asleep in them. its so intensely quiet. the grandness of staring down to the bottom floor and getting a peek at the others though, is exciting. its like a big gorge.
i wonder what would happen if i stood on the top floor and screamed at the top of my lungs:
ECHO! ECHO! ECHO!
