# Toronto Public Library

> Toronto Public Library is a municipally funded network of 100 neighbourhood branches and a large digital service that lends books and media, provides internet and work space, teaches practical skills, hosts cultural programming, and connects residents with social support. Its unusual strength is not any single product but the bundle: one free library card can unlock physical and digital collections, maker equipment, tutoring, cultural passes, research help, and a trusted place to spend time without being asked to buy anything.

- **Founded:** 1883
- **Headquarters:** Toronto, Canada
- **Founders:** John Hallam (Founding advocate and first board chair)
- **Team size:** Approximately 2,100 employees reported in the supplied company data; the 2025 city budget listed 1,906.2 positions in the 2024 budget baseline.
- **Products:** Neighbourhood branches, Physical and digital lending, Digital Innovation Hubs, tpl:map, Literacy and learning
- **Notable:** Built the amalgamated system into 100 neighbourhood branches, described by TPL as one of the world's biggest and busiest public library systems., Recorded 28.1 million total circulation, 16.5 million electronic circulation, 13.4 million branch visits and 31.5 million e-visits in 2025 benchmarking data., Made late-fine elimination permanent for all customers in June 2022.

## Products & services

- **Neighbourhood branches** — A network of 100 public branches offering collections, staff help, study and meeting space, computers, Wi-Fi and local programming.
- **Physical and digital lending** — Books, audiobooks, magazines, music, film and extensive online resources distributed through branches and digital platforms.
- **Digital Innovation Hubs** — Thirteen branch-based maker spaces with professional software, 3D printers, audio-video equipment and staff support; use is free with a library card apart from minimal material fees.
- **tpl:map** — Free, reservable passes to participating Toronto museums, attractions and cultural experiences for eligible adult cardholders.
- **Literacy and learning** — Adult literacy tutoring, children's reading support, computer training, homework help, author talks and other lifelong-learning programs.
- **Newcomer and employment support** — Settlement-worker connections, English-learning resources, job and career programs, business research and interview facilities.
- **Social and crisis support** — Drop-in crisis workers, referrals and wellness programming delivered with Gerstein Crisis Centre at selected branches.
- **Special collections and cultural programming** — Research collections, archives, exhibitions, writer programs and major public events including the Toronto Comic Arts Festival.

## Achievements

- Built the amalgamated system into 100 neighbourhood branches, described by TPL as one of the world's biggest and busiest public library systems.
- Recorded 28.1 million total circulation, 16.5 million electronic circulation, 13.4 million branch visits and 31.5 million e-visits in 2025 benchmarking data.
- Made late-fine elimination permanent for all customers in June 2022.
- Expanded Digital Innovation Hubs to 13 branches.
- Had the Anderson Ruffin Abbott archive added to the UNESCO Canada Memory of the World Register in 2023.
- Opened every branch on Sundays in October 2025 and moved to seven-day, year-round service in 2026, excluding public holidays.
- Won a 2026 Ontario Minister's Award for Innovation for AI upskilling work.
- Established Canada's largest circulating 2SLGBTQ+ collection, according to TPL's institutional history.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — TPL, the City and Waterfront Toronto announced a planned Quayside location, the system's first waterfront branch and expected 102nd branch.
- **2026-02** — City Council approved the 2026 library budget, enabling all 100 branches to operate seven days a week year-round from July, excluding public holidays.
- **2026-01** — TPL received an Ontario Minister's Award for Innovation for its AI upskilling initiative.
- **2025-10** — All 100 branches began opening Sundays; 33 gained Sunday service for the first time.
- **2025-09** — TPL expanded its Gerstein Crisis Centre partnership to 12 branches after an 18-month pilot served more than 4,200 people.
- **2025-09** — Moe Hosseini-Ara became City Librarian, succeeding Vickery Bowles.
- **2025-09** — TPL launched Your Health Matters, combining curated health information, programs and partnerships.

## Links

- Website: https://tpl.ca
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/torontolibrary
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/torontolibrary
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@torontopubliclibrary
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torontolibrary/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torontopubliclibrary/

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Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-23