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  Our Services - May we help you?
If you've ever needed to track down a novel or short story but have forgotten the title or author, don't despair - please give us a call. Chances are good that we will be able to find it for you. The Merril Collection was designed to support graduate and post-graduate studies in science fiction and fantasy literature. Our knowledgeable staff provides expert research and reference service. Staff will provide specialized science fiction and fantasy bibliographies on the topic of your choice. The Merril Collection is the first place to look for:
Remember, we're here to answer your questions!
All items in the Merril Collection are fully catalogued and indexed. Every item is listed by title, author and, if it is non-fiction, by subject heading. Staff maintain a separate subject catalogue for magazine articles, fanzines, and chapters of books. We also maintain an extensive short story index listing the contents of every anthology and short fiction collection in our library. Our catalogue is available online.
The Merril Collection is a closed-stacks library. Our materials are kept in a temperature and humidity-controlled secure environment, in order to protect and preserve them for future generations. We will gladly retrieve any item from the stacks for you to read in the Merril Collection's spacious reading room. For your convenience, a selection of the most recent science fiction and fantasy novels and periodicals are displayed on self-serve shelving in the Reading Room. Comfortable armchairs, study tables and quiet study carrels are provided. Library customers are required to store their coats and bags, briefcases or backpacks in coin-operated lockers while using the Merril Collection's Reading Room. There is no charge for the use of these lockers. The Merril Collection is a non-circulating reference collection. This means that none of the Collection's materials may be taken home or requested through inter-library loan. A photocopier is provided for your convenience. Copy cards can be purchased on the main floor of the Lillian H. Smith Branch of Toronto Public Library.
Call us to arrange a class visit or tour group. We provide an informative lecture and discussion on the history of the science fiction and fantasy genres and of the collection. Classes can be tailored for school groups at any grade level ranging from Grade Seven through High School to college and university courses. Please notify the staff if your group has a specific area of interest. Tours of the library can also be arranged.
The Friends of the Merril Collection sponsors between four and eight guest author readings or book launches every year here at the library. Check our What's new page for upcoming guests and programmes. In addition to these special events are the annual Fantastic Pulp and Paper Show and Sale in April, the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Merril Collection in May, and the Christmas Cream Tea in early December.
Past guests of the Merril Collection have included Neil Gaiman, Robert Jordan, Orson Scott Card, Frederik Pohl, Michael Moorcock, Spider and Jeanne Robinson, Nancy Kress, Kim Stanley Robinson, Samuel R. Delany, Joe Haldeman, Gene Wolfe, Guy Gavriel Kay, Lois McMaster Bujold, Charles de Lint, Candas Jane Dorsey, Glen Cook, Jack Womack, Elisabeth Vonarburg, Sean Stewart, Tanya Huff, Michelle Sagara, Robert J. Sawyer, Marian Hughes, Josepha Sherman, S.M. Stirling, P.C..Hodgell, Tom Henighan, Diana Paxson, Kevin Proulx, Karl Schroeder, and Terry Goodkind.
Come and see which of our treasures are currently on display in our lobby, on the third floor of the Merril Collection. Current exhibitions are also announced on our What's New page.
Updated on: November 3, 2008
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