Toronto Public Library announces location of new District Library

Toronto Public Library
St. Lawrence Branch Relocation – Update

Moe Hosseini-Ara, the City Librarian, has released a report dated December 1 updating the information on the relocation of the St. Lawrence Branch of the Toronto Public Library (TPL).
https://blogs.tpl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/27-st-lawrence-branch-relocation-update.pdf

The following are extracts from that report:

• “The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the acquisition of 339 Queen St. East to establish a new district branch for the community, replacing the existing and much smaller St. Lawrence branch which is currently classified as a neighbourhood branch.
• “The property transaction closed November 21, 2025, as a result the details of this transaction may now be made public.
• “This location will provide a much-needed larger district library while also offering additional benefits by relocating TPL’s Information Technology Services (ITS) department from 120 Martin Ross Avenue, allowing that property to be transferred to the City for use in supporting broader City priorities.
• “The building at 339 Queen Street East is a recently renovated three-story heritage building with approximately 40,000 square feet of space comprised of 30,000 square feet above grade and 10,000 square feet in the lower level. The three floors above grade are ideal for a district branch and the lower level will serve as the future site of TPL’s Information Technology Service offices and data centre.
• “The relocation and significant expansion of the St. Lawrence branch helps to achieve various strategic plan priorities and goals including:
  • “Enhancing physical spaces to provide welcoming, safe, inclusive, and sustainable multi-use environments;
  • “Establishing spaces that build resilience and belonging in every neighbourhood;
  • “Creating in-branch environments that connect neighbourhoods and communities, offering opportunities for partnerships, civic engagement and resident participation.
• “The [current] St. Lawrence branch at 171 Front Street East, is a City-owned/Toronto Community Housing Commission (TCHC) site. The branch is 4,833 square feet and is both significantly undersized and has substantial state of good repair issues due to the overall condition of the facility and ongoing building maintenance issues resulting from the residential housing located above the branch.
• “The relocation of St. Lawrence branch has been part of TPL’s capital plan since 2008, recognizing the requirement for a larger branch to meet the needs of this underserved community. Three locations have been previously considered:
  • “281 Front Street East (the former site of the Library processing centre);
  • “271 Front Street East (the site of the former First Parliament of Canada);
    • “271 Front Street East was expropriated by the Province and the future of a library being built on this site was uncertain; and
  • “125 The Esplanade;
    • “[options explored] for the 125 The Esplanade site … include[d] other City and community uses, including affordable housing to be co-located with the library.
• “The building at 339 Queen Street East – [the] new location for the St. Lawrence branch delivers a much-needed larger library in a substantially shorter timeframe and at lower cost than any of the previously considered locations.”

The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association supports the accelerated timeframe made possible by the acquisition of 339 Queen St. E. for the new TPL district branch, and will continue to advocate strongly with TPL to provide selected neighbourhood library services in the western portion of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood.