| S. Walter Stewart District Branch (SWS) |
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Mon.:
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9:00 a.m.
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8:30 p.m.
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Tue.:
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9:00 a.m.
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8:30 p.m.
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Wed.:
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9:00 a.m.
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8:30 p.m.
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Thu.:
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9:00 a.m.
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8:30 p.m.
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Fri.: |
9:00 a.m. |
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8:30 p.m. |
Sat.: |
9:00 a.m. |
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5:00 p.m. |
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Sun.:
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 Facilities for people with disabilities
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170 Memorial Park Ave.
Toronto, ON,
M4J 2K5
416-396-3975 |
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 Programs
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| Search the map by address, major intersection or postal code.
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Directions
Closest major intersection: Coxwell Ave. and Mortimer Ave.
Located 1 block north of Mortimer Ave., 2 blocks west of Coxwell Ave.
Parking
Free - lot adjacent to library.
Public Transit
TTC O'Connor bus northbound from Coxwell subway station.
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Collections Available
- Adult Literacy Materials
- Best Bets
- Books on Tape or CD/Audiobooks/Cassette books
- CD-ROMs - Adult
- CD-ROMs - Children
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- English as a Second Language Materials - Adult
- English as a Second Language Materials - Children
- Government Publications
- Language Learning Kits
- Large Print Collection
- Parenting Collection
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French Collections
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- Print
- CDs
- DVDs/Videos
- Periodicals
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Adult Multilingual Collections
Language |
Print |
CDs |
DVDs/Videos |
Periodicals |
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Chinese |
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Greek |
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Macedonian |
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Serbian |
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Children's Multilingual Collections
Language |
Print |
CDs |
DVDs/Videos |
Periodicals |
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Services
Equipment for people with disabilities
- Computer with screen magnification software (Zoomtext)
Historical Background
1944
Boys and Girls Libraries established by East York's Kiwanis Club and Board of Education, operated by Toronto Public Library staff. The Central Branch opened at R. H. McGregor School, 7 November. The Eastern Branch at Danforth Park School and the Western Branch at William Burgess School soon followed.
1946
East York electors vote to establish a public library, 1 January. S. Walter Stewart becomes chairman of the inaugural Township of East York Public Library Board, appointed 18 March.
1948
Former residence purchased for a library. Arrangements made with the Toronto Public Library Board to operate it, under the direction and control of the East York Library Board; this was discontinued in 1966.
1950
East York Public Library officially opened at the northeast corner of Coxwell and Mortimer avenues, 26 April. Renovation by H. E. Witmer, Architect. Cardinal design by Thoreau MacDonald adopted as the library's logo.
1955
Library Board resolves to build a central library to replace "the present facilities which have become inadequate," 2 May.
1956
Board considers "building a combined library and auditorium ... on the grounds of the [East York] Collegiate at Coxwell Avenue and Plains Road," 3 December.
1958
Board approves "building the new East York Public Library on the Municipally-owned location bounded by Durant, Roosevelt and Memorial Park Avenues," 1 August. Parrot, Tambling and Witmer, Architects, appointed, 22 September.
1960
S. Walter Stewart Building opened for service, 18 August; officially opened by Hon. R. H. McGregor, MP for York East, 3 October. The library's circular design was unique in Toronto, and, at the time, said to be one of only four circular libraries in the world. Named for S. Walter Stewart (1897-1969), a pioneer of library service in East York, serving on the East York Public Library Board from its establishment in 1946 until his death. He was the president of the East York Kiwanis Club when it started children's libraries in 1944.
1966
Responsibility for operations of public libraries in East York transferred from Toronto Public Library to East York Public Library completed by June.
1967
Public Library Board becomes part of the new Borough of East York formed with the amalgamation of the Township of East York and the Town of Leaside.
1969
Stewart donates nine A. Y. Jackson paintings to the library - his first donation, Jackson's Gatineau Hills, was presented at the official opening, 3 October 1960. In addition, Reeve R. M. Leslie donated two Jacksons and Dorothy Ashbridge, East York's first librarian, gave one, Ottawa River, presented in 1966. Although their ownership was transferred from the library board to the East York Foundation in the 1960s, the 13 A. Y. Jackson paintings remain at S. Walter Stewart Branch.
1995
Auditorium named in honour of John S. Ridout (1926-2003) who served on the East York Public Library Board from 1968 to 1994, several years as chair. He also was a member of the Metropolitan Toronto Library Board, 1970 to 1991, five years as chair.
1998
Becomes part of the Toronto Public Library with municipal amalgamation, 1 January. Receives Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Mel Lastman for outstanding service to children.
2006
Closed for renovations, 2 September.
2008
Reopened, 29 May. Phillip H. Carter, Architect with Ellen Vera Allen, Architect.
New hours, 29 May. Hours open per week increased from 54.5 to 63.
 Walking Tour
More Information
Collection Size: |
97,466 |
Floor Space: |
25,860 sq. ft. (2,403 sq. m.) |
Meeting Rooms
For booking information call: 416-396-3975
Room rental information and application forms
Room Type |
SIZE
(sq. ft.)
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SEATING
- lecture style |
SEATING
- classroom style |
EQUIPMENT |
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 Auditorium |
1,500 |
170 |
90 |
- ceiling mounted
projection screen
- chairs
- podium
- portable flipchart /
whiteboard
- raised stage
- tables
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Note: Fire Code Occupancy:
224 |
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Meeting Room |
387 |
24 |
12 |
- chairs
- coffee urn (30-cup)
- tables
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Note: Fire Code Occupancy:
49 |
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Kitchen |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
- available with
auditorium only
- coffee urn (100-cup)
- microwave
- refrigerator
- sink
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Note: Fire Code Occupancy:
n/a |
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Updated on: February 8, 2010
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