Don Mills Library
The Don Mills Library is located at 888 Lawrence Avenue East, close to Don Mills Road.
The library hours of operation are as follows:
Monday: 12:30PM – 8:30PM; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 9:00AM – 8:30PM, Friday: 9:00AM – 6:00PM and Saturday from 9:00AM – 5:00PM. Sunday, the branch is open seasonaly from: 1:30PM – 5:00PM.
The following amenities are available at this branch:
- Art Exhibit Space
- Book Discussion Group: contact the branch for more information
- Book Drop – 24 Hours
- Seating for 95
- Large collection in Chinese, French, Japanese
- Auditorium-sized and regular meeting room space are available for rent
History
This particular branch of the Toronto Library has an interesting history, and as such I have included a timeline for those of you who might be curious.
In 1855, a library was established in S. S. No. 9 (the so-called Don school), a red brick schoolhouse built in 1853 at the southeast corner of today’s Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East on land donated by William Milne. The library may have been discontinued in 1869; from 1870 on, being librarian is not mentioned in teacher contracts
In 1896-7, Don Public Library is established, with the first meeting of the board of management held on 20 April 1896. The first books were placed on shelves in Agnes (Aggie) Hogg’s general store, located on the east side of Don Mills Road, north of the Grand Trunk Railway bridge, which she operated along with the Don Post Office and the library as a public service.
In 1904, it was listed as a “free” public library.
In 1918-20, Don Public Library is moved from the general store to an abandoned military hut on the farm of James Muirhead, located on the west side of Don Mills Road, about a quarter-mile north of today’s Lawrence Avenue (west half of lot 7, 3rd concession east of Yonge Street, York Township).
In 1937, Don Public Library is closed. The children’s books are transferred to Don School Section No. 9 York Township, and the old library building is given to Gordon Muirhead, who converted it to a hen house.
In 1961, Don Mills Branch is opened at the current location by the North York Public Library Board, 14 November. Officially opened 15 April 1962. Craig, Madill, Abram and Ingleson, Architects.
In 1963, the library was renovated and enlarged to regional/area size. Craig, Madill, Abram and Ingleson, Architects.
In 1994, the library was renovated. Reopened 13 June. Joseph Bogdan Associates Architects.
In 1997, the branch was included on an inventory of North York’s Modernist Architecture prepared by the City of North York Planning Department, Urban Design Division.
Warmest Welcome to North York 