| Year |
Details |
|
| 1944 |
Boys and Girls Libraries established by East York's Kiwanis Club and Board of Education, operated by Toronto Public Library staff. The Central Branch opened at R. H. McGregor School, 7 November. The Eastern Branch at Danforth Park School and the Western Branch at William Burgess School soon followed. |
| 1946 |
East York electors vote to establish a public library, 1 January. S. Walter Stewart becomes chairman of the inaugural Township of East York Public Library Board, appointed 18 March. |
| 1948 |
Former residence purchased for a library. Arrangements made with the Toronto Public Library Board to operate it, under the direction and control of the East York Library Board; this was discontinued in 1966. |
| 1950 |
East York Public Library officially opened at the northeast corner of Coxwell and Mortimer avenues, 26 April. Renovation by H. E. Witmer, Architect. Cardinal design by Thoreau MacDonald adopted as the library's logo. |
| 1955 |
Library Board resolves to build a central library to replace "the present facilities which have become inadequate," 2 May. |
| 1956 |
Board considers "building a combined library and auditorium ... on the grounds of the [East York] Collegiate at Coxwell Avenue and Plains Road," 3 December. |
| 1958 |
Board approves "building the new East York Public Library on the Municipally-owned location bounded by Durant, Roosevelt and Memorial Park Avenues," 1 August. Parrot, Tambling and Witmer, Architects, appointed, 22 September. |
| 1960 |
S. Walter Stewart Building opened for service, 18 August; officially opened by Hon. R. H. McGregor, MP for York East, 3 October. The library's circular design was unique in Toronto, and, at the time, said to be one of only four circular libraries in the world. Named for S. Walter Stewart (1897-1969), a pioneer of library service in East York, serving on the East York Public Library Board from its establishment in 1946 until his death. He was the president of the East York Kiwanis Club when it started children's libraries in 1944. |
| 1965 |
East York Public Library Board approves “that the boys’ and girls’ section be moved downstairs,” 8 March. |
| 1966 |
Responsibility for operations of public libraries in East York transferred from Toronto Public Library to East York Public Library completed by June. |
| 1967 |
Public Library Board becomes part of the new Borough of East York formed with the amalgamation of the Township of East York and the Town of Leaside. |
| 1969 |
Stewart donates nine A. Y. Jackson paintings to the library - his first donation, Jackson's Gatineau Hills, was presented at the official opening, 3 October 1960. In addition, Reeve R. M. Leslie donated two Jacksons and Dorothy Ashbridge, East York's first librarian, gave one, Ottawa River, presented in 1966. Although their ownership was transferred from the library board to the East York Foundation in the 1960s, the 13 A. Y. Jackson paintings remain at S. Walter Stewart Branch. |
| 1995 |
Auditorium named in honour of John S. Ridout (1926-2003) who served on the East York Public Library Board from 1968 to 1994, several years as chair. He also was a member of the Metropolitan Toronto Library Board, 1970 to 1991, five years as chair. |
| 1998 |
Becomes part of the Toronto Public Library with municipal amalgamation, 1 January. Receives Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Mel Lastman for outstanding service to children. |
| 2006 |
Closed for renovations, 2 September. |
| 2008 |
Reopened, 29 May. Phillip H. Carter, Architect with Ellen Vera Allen, Architect. New hours, 29 May. Hours open per week increased from 54.5 to 63. S. Walter Steward Branch history panel (PDF). |
| 2010 |
New hours, 4 January. Hours open per week increased from 59.5 to 65.5 |
