The Aroused blog has offered “Library” as the theme for the latest Friday Foto Fun challenge and of course I couldn’t pass this one up. For almost two years I have been exploring Toronto’s neighbourhoods by way of the 100 library branches that serve them. I choose a library, see what it is like and then explore the neighbourhood around it.
So often we all get stuck in ruts: We go to the same restaurants, shop at the same stores, take the same routes to the same places. This project has been fantastic in that it has taken me to neighbourhoods all around the city that I wouldn’t otherwise have seen, finding places I love that I would otherwise have had no reason to be anywhere near.
Each entry is filled with photos and descriptions of my experiences in the libraries as well as on the nearby streets, parks, shops, and restaurants. I’ve even taken this a step further and am visiting libraries in several cities outside of Canada when I travel from Cleveland to Jaipur. You can find all of the entries indexed here. Here are some photos selected from the entries I’ve already written.
From the Fairview Branch 
This is the first library I visited as a part of this project – the Albion branch 
The biggest branch of all and one of my favourites: the Toronto Reference Library 
Each visit almost always includes a stop for some interesting food. This one was near Steeles branch 
Behind the Bloor-Gladstone branch is one of the most beautiful parks in the city – with a kitchen made of Cob 
When we went to the Palmerston branch we saw a really cool cultural program 
The Lillian H. Smith branch has an excellent special collection of Sci-Fi and Fantasy as well as a rare children’s book collection. 
The High Park branch was one of our ten Carnegie libraries and boasts some classic architecture. 
When in New Orleans on Business I visited a library there and got to wander through a beautiful old neighbourhood. 
Jaipur’s Government Maharaja library is well over 100 years old and feels positively magical. 
On our visit to the New Toronto branch it was such a beautiful day we took a short walk down to the shore of Lake Ontario 
I am embarrassed to admit I didn’t have high hopes for what I might find in Cleveland but its downtown library was one of the most beautiful I’d seen 
The North York Central branch is in the process of being renovated and slowly reopening. Now it has a maker space with sewing machines and sergers. 
I don’t always take transit to libraries. When I went to the Fort York branch I went there almost exclusively off-road on bike lanes 
The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library is not technically a public library as it’s associated with the University of Toronto but it’s still open to the public and it is one of the most beautiful spaces for books in the city. 
In fact, it is so beautiful I couldn’t just post one photo
If you’re interested in more of these entries (there will be at least 61 more!), follow this blog, or keep checking back at the Toronto by Library Page. Or you can follow the project on Instagram at @torontobylibrary.
Go Outside Today 
WOW that is really taking the library prompt very seriously!
You must have been working on this project for a while, gather it’s paid work? Who would pay you to visit such magnificent libraries? Great shots and good info!
I’ve been to Jaipur several times but it would never occur to me to even look for a library, well done!
Thanks! Yes – I’ve been at this project since 2017. But no, it is only a labour of love. If you ever find someone who is hiring for such a position, though, let me know! 😉
sorry I’d be applying first and sharing later 😉
The New Toronto Library is my neighbourhood library. I live about 100 feet from the Lake. I love it here.
I can imagine. We were looking at the neighbourhood and thinking how nice it would be to live there.
Libraries are my favourite places. Beautiful places.
Mine also. I think if my family and I had food, shelter, and our health, I could get by happily with a good library and little else.
This is a wonderful post for the theme.
Blessed are the ones who live in these towns if they really know the worth.
Thank you! We are so lucky to live in this city where people value the library and what it gives to the community so much.