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Runnymede

2178 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M6S 1M8
416-393-7697
Branch is Wheelchair Accessible Wireless Access Available at Branch
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. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Directions


Closest major intersection Bloor Street West and Runnymede Road. Located on the north side of Bloor Street West on the northeast corner of Glendonwynne Road

Public Transit
TTC subway station Runnymede, walk 2 blocks east.

Parking
Paid - parking lot on south side of Bloor Street, meter parking along Bloor Street, limited free parking on Glendonwynne Road


Map


Map to library branch

Features


General Features

  • Art Exhibits Space
  • Book Discussion Group: contact the branch for more information
  • Book Drop - 24 Hours
  • Seating for 66

Equipment for persons with disabilities

  • CCTV (closed circuit TV also called print magnifier)
  • Computer(s) with screen magnification software (Zoomtext)

Technology

Collections

  • Adult Literacy Materials
  • Audiobooks on CD
  • Best Bets
  • Career Information Collection
  • English as a Second Language Materials - Adult
  • Language Learning Kits
  • Large Print
  • Maps
  • Parenting Collection
  • Local History Collection|http://wwwold.torontopubliclibrary.ca/localhistory/runnymede_collection.html

Language

  • Large collection in French (children), Polish, Russian, Ukrainian
  • Medium collection in French (adult)
  • Small collection in German

Branch History


1904 Runnymede Public Library, York Township, opened southwest corner of Willard and Montye Avenues.
1909 Runnymede Library is incorporated, "organized by a number of public spirited men on October 15th, 1909" (Runnymede Booster, November 1910). By 31 December 1909, it has receipts of $69.50 including a municipal grant of $25 from York Township Council and fees of $36.50 from 57 members. The library had 260 volumes issued 109 times.
1910 "... on Thanksgiving Day of 1910, the first sod of the site upon which the new building is being erected was turned by Mr. Shunk. .... Mr. H. W. Wodson ... is entitled to recognition as the father of the movement ... writes that 'the members of the Board are all working at night on the building.' ... Mr. Harry Durrant [is] the enthusiastic Secretary -Librarian." (Runnymede Booster, November, 1910).
1918 "The Runnymede Public Library building is to be lifted bodily from its present location [on Welland Avenue, York Township] and deposited on a new site at the south-west corner of Willard and Montye Avenues" (Toronto Star, 19 April 1918, 13). In later years, the library was converted to a private dwelling and finally demolished in 1947.
1928 Toronto City Council granted TPL $100,000 to provide new branch libraries for the Runnymede and Danforth districts. Present site acquired.
1930 Opened 12 November. John M. Lyle Architect.
1971 Purchase of land behind the branch (6,000 sq. ft.).
1975 Listed on Toronto Historical Board's Inventory of Heritage Properties adopted by City Council, 10 December.
1978 Renovated, Stinson Montgomery Sisam Architects.
1979 Reopened 12 February.
1989 First issue of postage stamp showing Runnymede branch, 5 May. (Stamp part of Canada Post's Canadian Architecture series.)
2004 Closed 31 January for renovation, G. Bruce Stratton Architects.
2005 Re-opened 8 June.
2007 New hours, 8 January. Hours open per week increased from 60.5 to 62. Ontario Association of Architects - Winner, Design Excellence.
2008 Public presentation of Heritage Toronto plaque commemorating Runnymede Branch, 21 June. Plaque text (PDF)

Meeting Rooms


Meeting Room

For booking information call: 416-397-5969.

Rental costs and payment information


  • 60 sq. ft.
  • Seats 60 lecture style. Seats 36 classroom style. Fire Code Occupancy: 61.
  • Equipment:
    • chairs
    • DVD player
    • multimedia projector
    • projection screen (ceiling mounted)
    • tables

Directions


Closest major intersection Bloor Street West and Runnymede Road. Located on the north side of Bloor Street West on the northeast corner of Glendonwynne Road

Public Transit
Closest major intersection Bloor Street West and Runnymede Road. Located on the north side of Bloor Street West on the northeast corner of Glendonwynne Road

Parking
Paid - parking lot on south side of Bloor Street, meter parking along Bloor Street, limited free parking on Glendonwynne Road

All Branch Programs & Events

Upcoming Events

The Allied Bombing Campaign of Germany During WWII
Tue, Sep 21 - 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The eh List Author Series: William Deverell
Thu, Sep 23 - 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The eh List Author Series: Louise Penny
Tue, Sep 28 - 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Regular Programs

Web Basics, Move that Mouse, Email Made Easy
Thu, Sep 02 - 6:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Tea and Books
Wed, Sep 08 - 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Toddler Time
Tue, Sep 21 - 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Latest Blog Posts

New Literary Series Features “eh-List” Lineup
2009-02-23 | Posted by Media Relations