Caption: Rendering from Toronto Public Library Foundation
About the project
Toronto Public Library has been planning for a new district library since 2008 in response to several critical factors, including projected population growth in this part of the city and the condition of the current St. Lawrence branch.
We have purchased a building at 339 Queen Street East to house the new library branch. The new location is approximately 900 metres from the current branch, about a 15-minute walk.
At its current location, the branch operates in a leased space designed as a neighbourhood branch serving the local community. At the new location, the branch will become a district branch designed to serve broader communities in a larger space with additional services.
The new branch will feature larger collections, more open hours, barrier-free access to technology and digital literacy training, and options for individual and group workspaces, Flexible spaces for programming and events will be considered for the new space. Properly zoned spaces for different age groups, including an interactive early literacy centre for very young children and dedicated youth spaces, will deliver much-needed library services to a rapidly growing population.
St. Lawrence branch, currently located at 171 Front Street, will remain open while the new branch is being prepared.
Why are we replacing the St. Lawrence branch?
The current St. Lawrence branch is undersized at 4,833 square feet (449 square metres.). The building has significant maintenance issues, resulting in several branch closures each year due to flooding from the residential building above.
There is a need for a large district library in this part of the city due to projected population growth, as identified by the Library’s Facilities Prioritization Framework. The new branch will fully meet the TPL’s Service Delivery Model for district level library services in this underserved part of the City.
When will the new branch be ready?
The project will kick off in the first quarter of 2026 with design and community consultations. The approximate project completion is expected in approximately 3 years. The website will be updated as more information is available.
St. Lawrence branch, currently located at 171 Front Street, will remain open while the new branch is being prepared.
Community consultations
On April 2, we hosted a Public Open House with Councillor Chris Moise, City Librarian Moe Hosseini-Ara, the library project team, architectural consultants from Building Arts Architects, and heritage consultant EVOQ Architecture.
Sixty-five members of the public attended the event. An overview of the project was presented by library staff and consultants and a lively Q&A session followed.
Have your say
Please take a few minutes to share how you use the St. Lawrence branch and your ideas for the new library. Your input will help TPL create spaces and services that best meet the needs and interests of you and your community. Complete this survey and idea exchange by April 30.
Over the coming months, we will be hosting focus group discussions on various topics, including collections, programs, and services for all ages. If you're interested in participating, please email StLawrenceProject@tpl.ca.
We will share our plans and how your input has been used at a public meeting in late summer 2026.