Toronto Reference Library

Toronto Reference Library (TRL)

Main branch of the Toronto Public Library (TPL) 789 Yonge Street, one block north of Bloor Street. The closest subway stop is Yonge.

The Toronto Reference Library is the largest public reference library in Canada with an extensive collection of books, manuscripts, microfilm, and other items. Most items in its collection are designated for reference-use only, so the public is unable to borrow these items for use outside the library. It is the research branch of the Toronto Public Library (TPL).

The library is known for its local history and genealogy resources. These include online research tools that focus on their digital archive of photos, books, and Toronto maps, city directories, fire insurance plans, access to the Ancestry Library Edition, Canadiana Online, and digital newspapers. Their local history and genealogy guide has online research tools, research guides, programs, local history collections, and books that support genealogical research.

Some of the most useful resources include:

• Digital archive of 170,000+ historical photographs, books, and Toronto maps.
• Digital newspaper databases for the Toronto Star Historical Newspaper Archive (1894–2016) and the Globe and Mail Historical Newspaper Archive (1844–2016). These are available online with a TPL library card.
• Fire insurance atlases and plans — detailed maps used to research the history of buildings and neighbourhoods. Atlases cover the city as a whole. Plans cover specific neighbourhoods and often have more detail than atlases. Library holdings include online atlases and plans (1858–1912) or print versions (1858–1973), found onsite in the Toronto Reference Library.
• JGS Toronto’s Library Collection is also located at the Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street (at Bloor Street). The collection is a reference, non-circulating collection, and is housed in closed stacks on the 2nd floor in the Humanities and Social Sciences Department. An index to our Society’s library resources is found at: https://practice.jgstoronto.ca/jgstoronto-library-collection/