The Toronto Reference Library: The First 25 Years

About the Exhibit

The opening of the Metropolitan Toronto Library at Yonge and Asquith in 1977 heralded a new era in reference service for Toronto. The "state-of-the-art" building was written up in architectural journals, as well as library journals, and architects Moriyama and Teshima were awarded the Governor General's Medal for architecture.

Lieut. Gov. Pauline McGibbon declares the library open, 2 November, 1977.

The new building attracted people previously unaware of the library's collection and services, and use more than doubled the first year it was open. From 1977 to 2002 more than 34 million people have walked through our doors.

Architectural rendering showing the Yonge Street arcade. Dan Cooper, 1974.

The 25th anniversary exhibit focuses on the building, from the choice of the site at Yonge and Asquith, to plans for the future. It includes photos of the site before the library was built; architectural plans and renderings; and photographs showing construction and the building as it was in 1977. Photographs document some of the changes to the building as it has evolved to keep up with changing technology, and a video "fly-through" produced by architects Moriyama and Teshima, shows what the library may look like in a few years, when changes to the first floor, which are just beginning, are complete.

The library in 1977.