About the Library

In this section

• Jobs at the Library
• Doing Business with the Library
• Vision, Mission & Values
• Customer Feedback Standards & Practices
• History of Toronto Public Library
• Library Board
• Advisory Councils
• Strategic Plans, Annual Reports & Statistics
• Service Plans, Strategies, Frameworks & Reports
• Library Finance

About TPL

Toronto Public Library is the busiest urban public library system in the world. Every year, we have millions of users visiting our branches and taking advantage of our online services.

We empower Torontonians to thrive in the digital age and global knowledge economy. With expanded access to technology, lifelong learning and diverse cultural and leisure experiences, Torontonians have increased opportunities for growth and success, as well as stronger connections to each other and their communities.

Key Facts 2018

• Toronto Public Library is one of the world's busiest library systems
• We had more than 17.5 million visits to our 100 branches
• 70% of Torontonians use Toronto Public Library
• 972,213 people are registered Toronto Public Library cardholders
• Collections are comprised of over 10.6 million items including books, CDs, DVDs and eBooks, with 40 languages represented in library materials
• Torontonians borrowed library materials over 30.5 million times
• Circulation of digital content surpassed 7 million
• There were over 29.4 million visits to tpl.ca
• There were 5 million wireless sessions in library branches
• More than 1 million participants attended 46,533 library programs
• The Sun Life Museum + Arts Passes (MAP) were circulated 88,521 times
• Over 198,000 people registered for a library card
• 7.8 million holds were placed at our 100 branches and through the website
• There were over 337,800 items borrowed through our Home Library Service