Year |
Details |
1950 |
A library opens on the ground floor of the North York Memorial Hall, located on the west side of Yonge Street, south of Park Home Avenue, on 30 September. The North York Public Library Association Board, established that year, operates the library. |
1956 |
North York Public Library Board, established as a municipally-supported board by North York Township Bylaw 9612 passed on 3 January 1955, is allotted property on Yonge Street at the southwest corner of Park Home Avenue by North York Council in January 1956. |
1957 |
The library’s adult and children’s departments are relocated from Memorial Hall to three rented stores at 5188, 5190 and 5192 Yonge Street, a block north of Park Home Avenue, opening there on 9 May. North York Township Council passes Bylaw 12412 on 12 August formally selling the 1.573-acre (.64 ha) property at the southwest corner of Yonge Street and Park Home Avenue to the Library Board for $52,000. |
1959 |
The Gladys Allison Building is opened by the North York Public Library Board on the site on 8 July. Designed by architects James Murray and Henry Fliess, the building includes adult and children’s libraries, an auditorium/art gallery, two meeting rooms, and, on the second floor, offices for library administration and technical services. It is named in named in honour of community activist Gladys Allison (1901–1979), the driving force behind the establishment of a public library system in North York, who served on its Library Board from 1950 until 1966. |
1985 |
The Gladys Allison Building is closed on October 5. A temporary branch called Central-on-Sheppard is opened to serve the community until the new North York Central Library is ready. |
1987 |
New North York Central Library, in the North York City Centre, opened on May 13. Moriyama & Teshima Architects. |
1996 |
Opening of new Gateway Services Department on April 15. |
2001 |
LINK closed 29 June. Services now provided by Society and Recreation and Business & Urban Affairs Department. |
2007 |
New hours, 8 January. Hours open per week increased from 59 to 59.5. Renovated Learning Centre reopened in January. |
2009 |
New Performance space on Concourse level with seating for 200. |
2010 |
New hours, 4 January. Hours open per week increased from 59.5 to 65.5. Implemented Express Checkout on 5 March. Auditorium renovated with seating for 203. |
2011 |
Automated checkin as of 12 December. |
2012 |
Teen Zone reopened, February. Urban Affairs Collection dispersed to appropriate departments at NYCL and TRL. Business and Urban Affairs Department renamed Business Department to reflect the change. |
2013 |
Gaming Room opened March 2013. |
2014 |
IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities opened 27 February. |