Runnymede

2178 Bloor Street West,
Toronto, ON M6S 1M8

Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	Closed
Friday	Closed
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

Wheelchair Accessible
Free Wifi

General Inquiries

To speak directly with staff at Runnymede Branch during branch hours, please call the number listed above.

For general questions about Toronto Public Library, your account, and quick reference help, email Answerline using the link below.

Email Answerline

Directions, TTC & Parking

View on map

Closest major intersection Bloor Street West and Runnymede Road. Located on the north side of Bloor Street West on the northeast corner of Glendonwynne Road.

Public Transit

TTC subway station Runnymede, walk 2 blocks east.

Parking

Paid - parking lot on south side of Bloor Street, meter parking along Bloor Street, limited free parking on Glendonwynne Road.

Upcoming Programs

Featured Programs

Thu, Nov 23

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Gardening in a Changing Climate

***DATE CHANGED from Thursday September 14, 2023, to Thursday, November 23, 2023. Sorry for any inconvenience.***...

Wed, Dec 06

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

REGISTRATION FULL Ribbon Christmas Tree Ornament

REGISTRATION FULL Tis' the Season for holiday crafts! Join us for an exciting workshop where you will learn to...

All Branch Programs and Events

Branch Features

General Features

Book Discussion Group: contact the branch for more information
Book Drop - 24 Hours
Express Checkout
Seating for 66

Equipment for persons with disabilities

Book stand
Computer with screen magnification software (Zoomtext)
Large print keyboard
Large trackball mouse
Magnifier
Natural spectrum lamp
Page turner
Wheelchair accessible furniture

Technology

Collections

Adult Literacy Materials
Audiobooks on CD
Large Print
Local History Collection (Runnymede and Swansea)

Language

Large collection in French
Medium collection in Ukrainian
Small collection in German-Adult , Polish-Adult , Russian

History

Year	Details

1909	Runnymede Library is incorporated, "organized by a number of public spirited men on October 15th, 1909" (Runnymede Booster, November 1910). By 31 December 1909, it has receipts of $69.50 including a municipal grant of $25 from York Township Council and fees of $36.50 from 57 members. The library had 260 volumes issued 109 times.
1910	"... on Thanksgiving Day of 1910, the first sod of the site upon which the new building is being erected was turned by Mr. Shunk. .... Mr. H. W. Wodson ... is entitled to recognition as the father of the movement ... writes that 'the members of the Board are all working at night on the building.' ... Mr. Harry Durrant [is] the enthusiastic Secretary -Librarian." (Runnymede Booster, November, 1910).
1918	"The Runnymede Public Library building is to be lifted bodily from its present location [on Welland Avenue, York Township] and deposited on a new site at the south-west corner of Willard and Montye Avenues" (Toronto Star, 19 April 1918, 13). In later years, the library was converted to a private dwelling and finally demolished in 1947.
1928	Toronto City Council granted TPL $100,000 to provide new branch libraries for the Runnymede and Danforth districts. Present site acquired.
1930	Opened 12 November. John M. Lyle Architect.
1971	Purchase of land behind the branch (6,000 sq. ft.).
1975	Listed on Toronto Historical Board's Inventory of Heritage Properties adopted by City Council, 10 December.
1978	Renovated, Stinson Montgomery Sisam Architects.
1979	Reopened 12 February.
1989	First issue of postage stamp showing Runnymede branch, 5 May. (Stamp part of Canada Post's Canadian Architecture series.)
2004	Closed 31 January for renovation, G. Bruce Stratton Architects.
2005	Reopened 8 June.
2007	New hours, 8 January. Hours open per week increased from 60.5 to 62. Ontario Association of Architects - Winner, Design Excellence.
2008	Public presentation of Heritage Toronto plaque commemorating Runnymede Branch, 21 June. Toronto's Historical Plaques
2010	Open Sundays starting 12 September during Brentwood’s closure/renovation. Open hours increased 1 October by one hour to 6:00 p.m. on Fridays due to Brentwood’s closure for renovation.

Runnymede is on Indigenous land. This is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee (ho-den-oh-sho-nee) Confederacy (aka. the Six Nations Confederacy), the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Toronto Public Library gratefully acknowledges these Indigenous nations for their guardianship of this land. We'd also like to remind and reaffirm, as Torontonians and Canadians, our accountability to these Indigenous nations, and to all Indigenous peoples and communities living in Toronto.

This land is also part of the Dish with One Spoon territory, a treaty between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (aka. The Six Nations Confederacy), the Anishinaabek (Ah-nish-nah-bek) and allied nations, to peaceably share and care for this land, its waters, and all of the biodiversity in the Great Lakes region. All those who come to live and work here are responsible for honouring this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship, and respect. About Land Acknowledgement Statements

Runnymede

Service Update

Hours

General Inquiries

Directions, TTC & Parking

Public Transit

Parking

Upcoming Programs

Featured Programs

Gardening in a Changing Climate

REGISTRATION FULL Ribbon Christmas Tree Ornament

Branch Features

General Features

Equipment for persons with disabilities

Technology

Collections

Language

Meeting Rooms

Meeting Room

History

Land Acknowledgement

Runnymede

Service Update

Hours

General Inquiries

Directions, TTC & Parking

Public Transit

Parking

Upcoming Programs

Featured Programs

Gardening in a Changing Climate

*REGISTRATION FULL* Ribbon Christmas Tree Ornament

Branch Features

Meeting Rooms

History

Land Acknowledgement

REGISTRATION FULL Ribbon Christmas Tree Ornament