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Service Update

All Toronto Public Library branches will be closed on Sunday, May 19 and Monday, May 20 for Victoria Day.

North York Central Library

5120 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M2N 5N9
416-395-5535
Branch is Wheelchair Accessible Wireless Access Available at Branch
Branch has Telephone Typewriter ServiceTTY: 416-395-5596
*Sunday hours subject to season and other factors
Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Directions


Closest major intersection Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue. Located on west side of Yonge Street on the north side of Mel Lastman Square beside the North York Civic Centre.

Public Transit


TTC subway station North York Centre. Walk to library located in the mall.

Parking


Paid - parking lot on Beecroft Road, meter parking on side streets, paid parking lots in vicinity and underground.


Map


Map to library branch

Features


General Features

  • Art Exhibit Space
  • Automated Checkin
  • Book Discussion Group: contact the branch for more information
  • Book Drop - 24 Hours
  • Express Checkout
  • Individual Study Rooms (16)
  • Language Lab (CD player, cassette player, CD-ROM station)
  • Microform Reader Printers
  • Nursing Room (Children's)
  • Pedometer Lending
  • Piano/Practice Room
  • Public Phones (inside)
  • Quiet Study Rooms (4 enclosed-Bookable)
  • Seating for 725
  • Teen Zone

Equipment for persons with disabilities

  • Book stand(s)
  • Braille writer (Perkins Brailler typewriter)
  • CCTV (closed circuit TV also called print magnifier)
  • Cassette players - in-library use or for loan
  • Computer with Kurzweil 1000 software and scanner
  • Computer with at least 29" clearance under table top
  • Computer workstation with adjustable height surface
  • Computer(s) with screen magnification software (Zoomtext) (2)
  • Computer(s) with screen reader software (JAWS)
  • Kurzweil Personal Reading Machine
  • Magnifiers - hand held or stand
  • Microfilm/microfiche reader/printer machine with at least 29" clearance under the table top
  • Study booth with at least 29” clearance under table top
  • Study tables with at least 29" clearance under table top
  • TTY telephone device for the deaf
  • Verilux lamp

Technology

Collections

  • Adult Literacy Materials
  • Audiobooks on CD
  • Children's Literature Resource Collection
  • Genealogy
  • Large Print Collection - Adult and Children
  • Native Peoples Collection
  • North York History Collection
  • Ontario Local History Collection
  • Print/Braille Books for Children
  • Signed English Books
  • Teen Historical Fiction

Language

  • Large collection in Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Russian
  • Medium collection in Romanian, Serbian
  • Small collection in Japanese, Spanish, Tagalog

Branch History


1959 First stand-alone facility for the North York Public Library constructed on Yonge Street at Park Home Avenue. The Gladys Allison Building (named after the first chair of the Library Board) acted as a main or central library, offering extensive services and a comprehensive collection for not only the surrounding neighbourhood, but also the entire North York community.
1985 Central Branch, The Gladys Allison Building, closed on October 5. A support branch, Central-on-Sheppard opened to serve the community during the closure until the new North York Central Library opened.
1987 New North York Central Library, in the North York City Centre, opened on May 13. Moriyama & Teshima Architects.
1996 Opening of new Gateway Services Department on April 15.
2001 LINK closed 29 June. Services now provided by Society and Recreation and Business & Urban Affairs Department.
2007 New hours, 8 January. Hours open per week increased from 59 to 59.5. Renovated Learning Centre re-opened in January.
2009 New Performance space on Concourse level with seating for 200.
2010 New hours, 4 January. Hours open per week increased from 59.5 to 65.5. Implemented Express Checkout on 5 March. Auditorium renovated with seating for 203.
2012 Teen Zone reopened, February. Urban Affairs Collection dispersed to appropriate departments at NYCL and TRL. Business and Urban Affairs Department renamed Business Department to reflect the change.

Meeting Rooms


For booking information call 416-397-5969.

Auditorium

  • 1,764 sq. ft.
  • Seats 203 lecture style. Seats 84 classroom style.
  • Fire Code Occupancy:
    - non-fixed chairs = 203
    - standing = 432
  • Equipment:
    • chairs
    • coat racks
    • flip chart stand *
    • Heintzman piano with 2 piano benches
    • 2 microphones (with cords) *
    • 2 microphone floorstands
    • 1 microphone tabletop stand *
    • 2 extension cords (various lengths)
    • 1 overhead projector *
    • podium
    • projection screen (ceiling-mounted)
    • 19 tables
    • whiteboard stand *
  • * Equipment available for sign out from Security Office.

Room 1

  • 868 sq. ft
  • Seats 87 lecture style. 52 classroom style
  • Fire Code Occupancy:
    - non-fixed chairs = 87
    - standing = 205
  • Equipment:
    • chairs
    • coat racks
    • flip chart stand *
    • lectern (table top)
    • overhead projector *
    • projection screen (ceiling-mounted)
    • 15 tables
    • whiteboard
  • * Equipment available for sign out from Security Office.

Room 2/3

  • 608 sq. ft
  • Seats 64 lecture style. 40 classroom style
  • Fire Code Occupancy:
    - non-fixed chairs = 64
    - standing = 180
  • Equipment:
    • chairs
    • coat racks
    • flip chart stand *
    • lectern (table top)
    • overhead projector *
    • 16 tables
    • two screens (ceiling-mounted)
    • whiteboard
  • * Equipment available for sign out from Security Office.

Kitchen

  • Equipment:
    • coffee urns: two 55-cup, two 42-cup *
    • microwave
    • refrigerator
    • sink
  • * Equipment available for sign out from Security Office.
  • Kitchen is shared if two or more group have made a booking and must be booked separately.

Directions


Closest major intersection Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue. Located on west side of Yonge Street on the north side of Mel Lastman Square beside the North York Civic Centre.

Public Transit


Closest major intersection Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue. Located on west side of Yonge Street on the north side of Mel Lastman Square beside the North York Civic Centre.

Parking


Paid - parking lot on Beecroft Road, meter parking on side streets, paid parking lots in vicinity and underground.


Upcoming Events

East Asian Fashion
Sat, May 18 - 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra Presents Musical Chats
Tue, May 21 - 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
How to Hatch Your Career through Networking
Tue, May 21 - 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Regular Programs

TOEFL Preparation Class
Tue, May 21 - 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Baby Time Session B
Wed, May 22 - 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Now Books
Wed, May 22 - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

All Branch Programs & Events