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Wychwood Branch (WY)

	Mon.: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tue.: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Wed.: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Thu.: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Fri.: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sat.: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sun.: Closed Facilities for people with disabilities
1431 Bathurst St. Toronto, ON, M5R 3J2 416-393-7683
Driving & TTC Directions / Collections / Services / Historical / Meeting Rooms
Programs

Collections Available

Local History Collection

French Collections

Services

• Book Drop - After Hours
• Internet/Microsoft Office computers (9)
• Public Phones (inside)
• Seating (42)

Historical Background

1880
Bracondale Public Library established in Bracondale Post Office at Christie St & Davenport Road.

1898
Bracondale Public Library was incorporated.

Bracondale Public Library established, after May. "The Bracondale public library ... was first started in the old tanning factory on Christie street, with Mr. W. Garrett as librarian. At first it took up but one room, which was loaned by J. E. Edwards and Co., owners of the factory, but it afterwards grew, calling into use another one." [Toronto Star, 14 September 1906]

1904
The library and most of its 1,500 volumes destroyed by fire, 13 February. They were housed in two rooms of J. E. Edwards & Sons, a leather goods manufacturer on Christie Street, corner of Victoria Street (now Tyrrell Avenue). Librarian William H. Garrett also was a cutter in the factory. Board offered free use of Wychwood Hall (Alcina Avenue), 17 February, and relocates the library there.

1905
Library board offered free quarters, 23 February, in new School Section No. 25, York Township opened on the east side of Bathurst Street, between Hillcrest (now Hilton) and Nina Avenues, May. Library board meets there for the first time, July.

1909
Wychwood and Bracondale districts annexed to the City of Toronto 1 February. Assets of the Bracondale Public Library, including $56.10 cash on hand and 1,777 books, are transferred to the Toronto Public Library.

1911
Wychwood Branch opened by Toronto Public Library in Hillcrest Public School, December. Chief librarian George Locke noted, "the books of this [Bracondale] Library have been repaired, rebound, accessioned, catalogued and supplemented by some new ones."

1912
Toronto Public Library opens Wychwood Branch in the old Bracondale Public Library room at Hillcrest Public School, Bathurst Street.

1915
Toronto's Carnegie Libraries - Wychwood
Carnegie Corporation of New York granted $50,000 to TPL to build 3 branches.

1916
Opened 15 April. Eden Smith & Sons, Architects. Design almost identical to Beaches and High Park branches.

1976
Listed on Toronto Historical Board's Inventory of Heritage Properties, adopted by City Council, 18 August.

1978
Renovated, Phillip H. Carter, Architect.

1992
Closed for barrier-free access improvements on 17 February. Reopened 15 March.

1995
Retrofitted, Robin Tharin Architects. Closed 18 November.

1996
Reopened 25 March.

2007
New hours, 8 January. Hours open per week increased from 58 to 62.

More Information

Meeting Rooms
For booking information call: 416-393-7683

Room rental information and application forms

Room Type SIZE (sq. ft.) SEATING – lecture style SEATING - classroom style EQUIPMENT Program Room 864 34 12 - coat hooks (wall mounted) - chairs - film projection screen (ceiling mounted) - flipchart stand - tables Note: Fire Code Occupancy: 70 Comments: - Program Room is beside the children's area on the ground floor - Built-in tiered seating at the south end of the room - Wheelchair Access

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Updated on: November 30, 2009

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