Toronto Public Library Opens 99th Location: Fort York Branch

First New Toronto Public Library Branch in 10 years!

TORONTO, May 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto Public Library is thrilled to announce that its 99^th location and its first new library branch in 10 years, Fort York branch, is now open.

City Librarian Jane Pyper and Toronto Public Library Board Chair Michael Foderick formally opened the branch with a special ribbon cutting ceremony this morning. Library customers were welcomed with refreshments, entertainment and branch tours.

"Fort York Branch is truly a library built for the 21^st century," said Jane Pyper, City Librarian. "It's attractive and welcoming, a community hub that offers the things we expect from our libraries – a great selection of materials to browse and borrow, computers and Internet access, comfortable spaces and knowledgeable, friendly staff – with a new focus on innovation including a digital innovation hub complete with 3D printer, wired pods for study and collaboration and a computer learning centre. It's a beautiful branch and we're happy to be part of this vibrant neighbourhood."

Features of the new library branch include:

• Comfortable lounge and casual reading spaces with zones for children and teens, spaces for quiet study and community meetings
• Digital innovation hub that offers access to emerging technologies including 3D printing, all-in-one DJ hardware and audio/video production
• A wide collection of 35,000 new books, periodicals and DVDs for customers of all ages, as well as public computers and free wifi
• Magnificent views, looking to the north to an outdoor reading terrace, the soon to be created Mouth of the Creek Park and to the west across Bathurst Street to Fort York
• A unique public art project featuring the art of Charles Pachter and poetry of Margaret Atwood from The Journals of Susanna Moodie (to be installed this summer)

"Planning for this new location has been in the works for many years," said Michael Foderick, Toronto Public Library Board Chair. "We are delighted to bring a full service neighborhood library to the West Waterfront and CityPlace communities, which have been experiencing tremendous growth. We're excited to see this branch full of life and activity, as it is from day one."

Visit tpl.ca/fortyork to see photos of the branch and come by during open hours, Monday to Thursday, 9am to 8:30pm, and Friday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. 

Toronto Public Library is one of the world's busiest urban public library systems. Every year, 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit torontopubliclibrary.caor call Answerline at 416-393-7131. To get the most current updates on what's happening at the library, follow us on Twitter @torontolibrary.

SOURCE: Toronto Public Library

Media Contact: Edward Karek, 416-460-9466, [email protected]