Toronto Public Library - Toronto Reference Library — Attraction in Toronto

I am deeply upset about my first experience at the Toronto Reference Library. I was really looking forward to going since the pictures online looked so lovely. I put some books on hold a while ago and they were ready for pick up today so I decided to make a day of it and pick the books up and stay to study in the library for a while. When I arrived, I asked someone at the front desk where about you pick up holds, and she directed me around the corner. The layout in the system of the holds was confusing to me, with it being my first experience picking up books with the Toronto public library so I decided to ask some of the staff that are working in that area putting away books. I asked where I find holds and the two women working told me that it was based on the last 4 digits of my phone number. At least that’s what I thought they said, so I proceeded to look for a hold with my phone number. I couldn’t find my book, so I asked again for some help. It turned out that I had misheard the woman, which I do take accountability for, but the way that she spoke to me when I asked again (politely) to clarify was uncalled for. She said, “I told you already that it is not the last four digits of your phone number, it’s the last four digits of your card.” I apologized and continued looking. I still couldn’t find my book, but I was hesitant to ask again because of my previous interaction with the women. I think they noticed that I still hadn’t found what I was looking for, and one of them said to me, “I told you if you couldn’t find it on the shelves to go and look on the carts and see if your book is there, we don’t have time to shelve everything.” Once again, her tone of voice was very rude. I apologized again, looked at the carts, and still couldn’t find my book. I decided to ask the other woman for some help. While I was asking, the woman who had been answering me rudely interjected and said to me, “I already told you three times it is the last four digits of your library card. I shouldn’t have to tell you 3 times.” I was appalled by this. I felt embarrassed and upset, especially considering it was my very first time borrowing a book with the Toronto Public Library. After this, the other woman asked me what my last four digits were and directed me to the right shelf. I found my book, and I left the library immediately. I did not stay to study. This experience has made me question if I will ever return to this TPL location again. I couldn’t believe how rude the staff was to me, and I left the library feeling dejected. I have another hold that should be ready for pickup shortly and I am considering canceling it altogether so that I can avoid future altercations with these staff members. I’m not sure if these women were just having a bad day, but I told them both that I had never picked up a hold before and needed help. I don’t think their behaviour was...

One of the deep shames we experience in Canada is the current state of our public libraries. Despite thousands of people receiving salaries as library employees, many do not take the responsibility to ensure that libraries serve their intended purpose: providing a quiet, safe, and respectful space for reading, studying, and research. Instead, many libraries have become chaotic and uncomfortable. In some branches, unhoused individuals occupy computer stations for hours, bringing with them strong odors that make it difficult for others to stay. Youth gather in large numbers, talking loudly, laughing, playing music, and sometimes even smoking in the bathrooms, with no staff intervention. At places like Library, I have seen several youths monopolize the washrooms for extended periods, smoking inside, making others wait, while staff remain silent, and parents think heir kids are safe in the library. In some branches, people casually eat pungent food, hold loud phone calls, or even conduct meetings, as seen in Ma. A public library is not a youth club, nor a shelter, nor a place to enable drug use or disruption. It is a public institution meant to foster knowledge, concentration, and community learning. If the homeless need shelter, then proper facilities should be provided elsewhere—not at the cost of the library’s function. If youth need recreation or socialization, there should be safe, designated spaces for those activities. Why is it that nothing in Canada resembles the standards of a well-run, respectful public space—like libraries in many European countries? Why can’t we treat our libraries as serious cultural and educational institutions, with quiet environments, reliable resources, and rules that are respected and enforced? Those responsible for managing public libraries should consider visiting successful models abroad to understand what a real library looks like. Otherwise, people who genuinely want to study , research or write in peace may prefer to stay at home, despite the value libraries...

i would give ZERO if i could...i used to come to this library very often for about 1 year. one day the cleaning guy who works in this library, when i was in the bathroom, knocked on the washroom door and told me to get out cause he wants to clean the bathroom, i told him to give a minute. and he was standing by the washroom and talking Russian and yelling ( probably swearing at me) when i came out of the washroom, he grabbed me and threw me out of the bathroom.. i was so shocked and did not know what to do, i just left the library and did not say anything. one week later, after i was done studying, i went to use the washroom and as soon as i got to the washroom, the same guy started knocking on the door and swearing at me in english saying F* you and.... i was shocked and tried to leave the bathroom quickly but as soon as i got out this guy grabbed me and threw me out of the bathroom and pushed me all the way to the elevator which is 20 m away from the washroom and then was trying to punch me when another guy walked in between us and this was done... i came to the reception and complained twice but since then, no one has done anything and i saw the same guy still working in the library...i complained again but no one cares.. i even talked to the head of the library, he did not do anything either.. i am so disappointed with this library and not coming to this...