TPL Home > Hours and Locations > Branches A-Z > Dufferin/St. Clair Branch

Dufferin/St. Clair Branch (DU)

	Mon.: 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tue.: 12:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Wed.: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Thu.: 12:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Fri.: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sat.: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sun.: Closed Facilities for people with disabilities
1625 Dufferin St. Toronto, ON, M6H 3L9 416-393-7712
Driving & TTC Directions / Collections / Services / Historical / Meeting Rooms
Programs

Collections Available

Local History Collection

Adult Multilingual Collections

Language	Print	CDs	DVDs/Videos	Periodicals
Italian Portuguese Spanish

Children's Multilingual Collections

Language	Print	CDs	DVDs/Videos	Periodicals
Italian Portuguese Spanish

Services:

• Book Drop - After Hours
• Seating (100)
• Internet/Microsoft Office Computers (23)
• Wireless Internet Access
• KidsStop
• Quiet Study Room
• Self Service Returns
• Self Check Out

Equipment for people with disabilities:

• Large Print Terminals/Workstations

Historical Background

1911
Deputations from Earlscourt, annexed to Toronto in 1910, ask the Toronto Public Library Board "for the extension of library privileges."

1913
Earlscourt Branch opened 19 December. Named for its local community, the library and reading room are located in rented premises, 48 x 32 feet, in the old Boon Avenue Methodist Church, Boon Avenue, northwest corner of Ascot Avenue.

1919
Toronto City Council provided funds "by a special appropriation of $100,000 for the purchase of sites and the erection of library buildings for the districts of Earlscourt and East Toronto". (TPL Annual Report 1919)

1920
Present site acquired. Construction began 13 July.

1921
Opened, 27 January. Charles J. Gibson, Architect. Total cost of the library, including site, building and equipment was $78,864.

1925-1932
Interior murals painted by George A. Reid, principal of the Ontario College of Art, and by two of his former students, Lorna Claire and Doris McCarthy.

1954
Toronto Public Library Board receives consent from City Council to sell southernmost 20 feet of land flanking Dufferin Street at the site of Earlscourt Branch Library (retaining 55 feet of open space) to the Salvation Army for the sum of $4,000 and use proceeds to repair the roof in the main library building, 28 June.

1964
Renovation planned by Toronto Public Library staff begins 6 January. Murals painted out.

1973
Renamed Dufferin/St. Clair Branch to indicate more clearly its location, 27 January. Sunday service started.

1979
Renovation and expansion. Baird Sampson Architects. Officially opened 17 March.

1990
Closed 11 June for carpet replacement and asbestos removal. Reopened 24 June.

1992
Closed 6 July for HVAC retrofit. Reopened 14 September.

1999
Sunday opening discontinued, 25 April.

2004
Mural panel, The Family by G. A. Reid, restored through the leadership of local residents, spearheaded by the Regal Heights Residents’ Association, 21 April – 12 May.

2006
Included on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties, adopted by City Council, 23, 24, and 25 May

2007
New open hours, 8 January. Number of open hours per week unchanged.

Closed for renovation and expansion 7 July, Makrimichalos Cugini Architects. G. A. Reid and Doris McCarthy murals restored.

2008
Reopened, 28 October, with public presentation of Heritage Toronto plaque commemorating Earlscourt Branch
Plaque text (PDF)

More Information

Meeting Rooms
For booking information call: 416-397-5969

Room rental information and application forms

Room Type SIZE (sq. ft.) SEATING – lecture style SEATING - classroom style EQUIPMENT Program Room 818 60 30 - film projection screen (ceiling mounted) - kitchenette Note: Maximum Occupancy: 60 Comments: - Program Room and wheelchair access washrooms are on the main floor.

Back to Branches A-Z

Updated on: November 10, 2009

	| Contact Us | Online Privacy and Access to Information |