Reviews of Toronto Public Library - Parliament Street Branch (Library)

Eric Davis

This branch was assigned to me for pickups as the next closest while my home branch (St. JamesTown) was closed for over a year - outdoor pickups at first, very fast and friendly, then as things eased it was inside pickup. No complaints, but I can't say it's my favorite branch. One staff was particularly helpful when I went to pick up a book from the holds shelf and the paper was attached to a book I did not order. It obviously had gotten switched with another book, and the fellow took the time to go onto the computer and somehow he found my book with the other person's pickup slip attached. So I appreciated his time in having to do that; otherwise I would have had to re-order the book. The security at the door is friendly enough, but the branch overall doesn't have a warm welcoming atomosphere, not somewhere I'd like to sit and read.

Xizhi Li (Bella)

Hard to study here as people's phones keep ringing and homeless people wander around whispering strange things.

John McAleer

Discover all that the library offers!!

tara ellis

Smaller selection of fiction books, but large array of fiction and biographical. Great layout, with many places to sit down!

Blackhawk GAIA

So, I don't know for those who used to be here, but these days Garda World is around, the workers are abusive, and try to restrict people from using the place.

Mijesh VS

Apart from the regular library services, you can get Museum and Art passes, called MAP from here. It will give free access for you and your family to premium locations like Toronto Zoo, Ontario Science center, Royal Ontario museum etc. Passes are limited and will be issued on first come first basis on Saturdays. You would need to reach a little earlier than opening hours to grab these passes. The photo attached with this give you an Idea of how many passes and locations available per week.

Diana Kulev

I didn't like a library at all. Not service and not content

Eros MC

Poorly run and dirty. There's only one washroom for adults and there's always a lineup because there are all kinds of people entering the library only for that. The renovation started April 19, 2019 should hopefully fix some of these issues.

SAKIB

Beautiful big library, WiFi available as well as charging port. Great collection of books. Good amount of people.

Leer Wesen

Lots of loud kids running around while their "parents" stand around and do nothing. The staff seem to be unable to do anything due to policy, but they are as helpful as possible. Hours are lacking (closed on Monday) but it can come in handy if you were too hungover to return your books on Sunday.

Mohamed Jama

This place is chill, good place to read or study. Staff are cool too

Abu Afza

Good place for me and my family

George Bell

This city for all it's faults... has a steller library network. Brilliant !

Rick Caster

They have books,remember them.

Liz zie

The washrooms are filthy even though there are only two bathrooms. A bunch smokers come in and out of the library. Although, they have a nice kids section with lots of space and bright light. Adults have a nice quiet study space. This library is okay, but there are better options.

Richard Mellish

Not bad library. For years it's been problematic due to homeless interference and street. 2 ND floor offers services such as income tax, finance , and trustees who can save your money. However friend of a friend and relative of a relative that could involve street corruption .

n fik

Friendly staff and clean location.

Simon Mee

It's probably one of the weaker branches, but it still has free WiFi, computers, study desks (as well as cubicles) and washrooms (though perhaps avoid the latter).

Abhishek Nagpal

All Toronto public libraries are v good & its a privilege to have those.

Graham Shonfield

Love the library! Free stuff!

teddy mills

You cannot expect a beautiful library when the neighbourhood is not. The makeover was required.

Kristen N

CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS

Sharon “Cinderella 61” Orr

It was great.

K.L. Wang

Nice small place

Samantha deManbey

Fairly small library, but still all the basics a library goer would need. Decent selection of books and some computers that can be reserved (reserve ahead of time, because they fill up fast). Self-check out works pretty well and holds have come in fairly quickly. Be aware that seating is limited and cleanliness and safety protocol are somewhat strict.

vicky arora

I forget my AirPods in library and Security Guard return it to the staff . When I went to take it back after talking to the S:o .. staff was lying that we did not have it. And after S/o come they they were saying we lost it .

Ahmed Liman

I love it , everything was perfect

a-tong lim

The staff at this library are helpful. She helped me find the book I need.

R

nowhere comfy to sit like every other library. And where the like study desks are it smells gross. Ugh there needs to be more seating hwre. It actually really smells at this library and the washrooms are dirty.

Shannan Peck

In the past 48 hours I have witnessed several incidents of people being kicked out of the library for generally minor offenses. The staff seem hypervigilant to the poor in the library and anyone who looks moderately well off is left alone (mask wearing, sitting in a different spot than the library has cordoned off, inappropriate language). This often leaves patrons shouting in the library, increasing the potential danger unnecessarily. In particular is one librarian who when you see her, you can predict an unnecessary escalation will occur. While I have not been targeted (as a respectable/'harmless' looking middle class young white woman) it certainly damages the atmosphere of the library - I was excited to live so close to a library, but now I'm disappointed that this is the only one in walking distance.

Stephenn Quaglia

One of the worst branches. Terrible experience in washroom use. Often disturbing. I just use it to get my holds and glance at dvds. Although only blocks from where I live I no longer use it as my home branch. There are some friendly older librarians here. Some of the new people so called technicians should not have to deal with the public. Dropin centres should be created so the library may return to library use. The library is severely underfunded. Currently closed for renovations. Now reopened cleaned and spiffed up. No change in the number of washrooms. Library should concentrate on its policy in relationship to neighbourhood.

Claire Roberts

Wonderful staff

W P

The staff here are completely absent-minded

Spring Time

The staff at this library are helpful. My kids and I go there more often. They try to keep the place clean and neat; unfortunately, the washrooms are dirty most of the time. I know why the washrooms are dirty but I prefer not to say it.

Christopher Kitchikake

It reported that it was open on the website however it was closed and there’s nothing saying that this branch is closed today!

ADF ADF

Needed more than ever, reading is freedom

Kenneth Brown

Not busy.

Timothy Brown

Picking up books from outside. No coming in just yet.

Alice

the stuffs who work here, they made their effort to help you get what you need. ????

ihor iakovtchouk

It's tiny but very friendly

Bishan Pandey

Good customer service..smiling helpful faces

Deepthi Pullode

Nice place to visit

Bruce Ahebwa

Great place to go & read. I love it. Everything is good except the toilets. Many times you have to line up to use their washroom since it accommodates only one person at a time.

Alicia Islare

Good place for me because near my house but there is not so large variety

Tomas Wright

This library is great, especially if you want to sit down and relax for a bit. Big windows and lots of space, with a pleasant and bright layout.

Maryam Ahmed

Good library in terms of getting book's that aren't there and staff is polite and helpful. But it tends to smell a lot like weed and smoke which really makes me rush out of there, sometimes not getting all that I needed.

Kristina Breckon

The staff are always so friendly and helpful at the branch.