Toronto Public Library

The Lillian H. Smith public library is a large library with 2 floors. It is especially great for children's books, on the ground floor. One side has fiction and DVDs and the other side has non-fiction (including academic books). They have books that other libraries don't have. There ar plenty of seats for reading books on sight.

They have self-serve terminals for checkout. They are more sophisticated that other branches in that you can actually login and make reservations and pay over-due fines (there is a credit card terminal along side each station).

The entrance doors are self-opening. In front of the entrance are two impressive dragon statues. Just inside the entrance is an information plaque explaining the history of Lillian H. Smith.

There is a large Chinese section as well.

The librarians are courteous.

There is free WiFi.

The exterior of Lillian H. Smith Library is quite impressive! And those 2 dragon statues guarding the front door.. and more security guard inside to make sure we behave.

The collections here are impressive.. especially for Chinese language books... have a lot recent best sellers and 7 days loan newer material.

Lillian H Smith is different from other Toronto Public Library branches because it has special Children's collections that other branches doesn't have...

With free Wifi everyone are happy... especially me!

Lillian Smith is one of those branch that is questionable if you ever want to visit.

On the plus

I find it is one of better libraries to find resource, it has two great collection rooms. Science Fiction on the third and Children's on the 4th. Thou I don't think much people venture up past the third. The third floor is it computer room which is both good and bad. Sometime they don't monitor and regular it enough. Thou there is usually security guard just outside or in room. They have two security guard which is good, this branch has it concerns which I will address in the next section.

The Bad

This branch has it fair share of undesirable people that you wonder why are they here, I am taking about the homeless, the crazy and the drunks. Before Lillian Smith, I couldn't see this stuff happening but I was a regular for a few months and saw how often security was called to remove someone.


The decent

Staff are alright, might be a bit slow. Two security guard that are usually on top of issues.


I like to pop in once in a while to find a book but I won't stay too long. Staff are pretty friendly

Sketchy bathrooms and poor WiFi connectivity. Selection of physical material is good, but if you're looking for that you should really consider the Yonge & Bloor location (reference library).

Did you know that Lillian H. Smith (born 1887) was a Canadian-born librarian largely responsible for improving the standard of children's literature worldwide? (Shut up, no you didn't.) This library features a few special collections in that vein including the Children's Literature Resource Collection and the Marguerite G. Bagshaw Collection of Puppetry Creative Drama and Theatre for Children. Smith had a profound influence on Children's Librarianship, and it is for her this library is named. [1]

Enough boring facts. Opinion time: this library is A-OK. The books and magazine collection is not nearly as extensive as other branches. It does have a some Chinese and Vietnamese materials for loan, and if you happen to be a huge nerd, a stellar collection of science fiction and fantasy literature.

I find seating can be hard to come by. "Colourful characters" often languish at the desk and computers, and U of T students take up the rest. An OK place to pick up holds and browse for new releases, best sellers, etc., but not as solid for serious work or research.

Obligatory Title Pun: This library is worth CHECKING OUT.

Menu Readability: There are some dragons out front.

Need to mention: You can sign out pedometers here. Yeah!

What this place teaches me about myself: I cite my sources, bishes.


_______________
[1] http://www.amtelecom.net/~manchest/Lillian_Smith/smith.html

I've been recently re-introduced to the library scene and what they have to offer and I got to say wow, has the role of the library change.

I was surprised to see they provide a lot of amazing services to both the local community and to new comers from abroad looking to learn and fit in. The library offers work shops hosted by local experts that volunteer their time for just about every topic from fixing and maintaining your bike to how to improve and manage your credit score.

I have had the pleasure to witness some of the services being offered through the library system and see first hand the impact of some of these benefit to new comers as well as those just looking to know more.

If you are not aware of the variety of programs being offered at your local library or feel that these libraries are dinosaurs and nothing but a drain on our government purse. Think again. The Toronto Public Library system is the great equalizer for those who want more out of their community and provide a much needed services to new comers.

I'm one of those that thought libraries were dinosaurs and I typically like to see the role of government reduced and out of our lives but I can clearly see the benefits being offered here and I am quite impressed to see something being done right..

I haven't been in a public library for almost ten years. I just went in to print because my printer broke. I'm at the computer and asked the guy next to me where the printer is and he started shouting and swearing. I reported it to the "librarian" downstairs and she wouldn't do anything it was like she hadn't heard what I said to her. I said "don't you care aren't you going to do anything" and she goes "well of course I care" and she just sat there. So I told the security guard and he didn't want to do anything, the other guard was sleeping on the second floor.

Years ago, I was at a computer in this location and cockroach ran across the tables. There's too many street people and other undesirables that spend all day in here, that's why they have security, but the security don't do anything. You can get bedbugs from these people.

Libraries used to be a great place but now they are a refuge for street people and other bums.

This is my current "go-to" library, since CityPlace is not getting their own branch until 2013!

If you are a sci-fi/fantasy nerd than you will love it here. I was in heaven browsing the largest collection of these genres I've ever seen under one roof.

The general fiction area is adequate too and I find the new releases are always available at this library, maybe no one is taking things out here. I went in search of Greek travel guides the other day and could barely believe my luck when I found 3 brand new guides in stock.

Free wifi but not as many computers to use as some of the bigger locations.

Nice layout with spacious foyer and spiral staircase connecting you to floors 2 and 3.

I have a love-love relationship with this library. Yes, it has children running a muck occasionally (After all, it does have a children's lit focus) & yes, like a lot of public libraries - it is an occasional nesting area for the homeless.

But:
+1 - Free Wireless (Yes...FREE...)
+1 - Great magazine collection
+1 - Awesome statues outside! I like my libraries with a little ambiance.
+1 - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Collection is housed here.

Also, just like any TPL - you can put something on hold & they'll bring it to your local branch for *free*.

No, I'm not a librarian - just an avid reader who gets her money's worth from TPL.

Don't like this big space fool you, it's a dirty library.

If you are in for some fun, try going up to the circulation desk and asking one of the uhh....surly....I mean public assistant for help looking for a book. First you will be redirected to speak to a librarian (even though you know the title and author of the book, you just want to put the item on hold...Really it's just that simple....not so fast...

If you are going after regular business hours 5pm, prepare to wait....

Depending on the genre of your title, you may end up waiting by the libriarian's desk downstairs if it's a children's book or go upstairs for an adult title. Make the trek up to the second floor or otherwise wait for up to 20 minutes....When it's finally your turn they take less than a minute to put your item on hold and that's it..Service is minimal depending on the librarian that is serving you...Let me put it this way, helpful staff going out of their way to help you are far and few between.


You've been warned. Oh and you would do well to take a bath right after you return from this library.