Toronto neighbourhood frustrated as local library set to move nearly 1 km away

A long-awaited relocation of a library in Toronto's St Lawrence neighbourhood is sparking frustration among some local residents who say the area is losing its local branch to another community.

Toronto Public Library (TPL) formally announced on Tuesday that it had purchased a heritage building at 339 Queen St. E. to house a new branch, which is anticipated to open in 2028. The move will replace the existing TPL St. Lawrence branch at 171 Front St. E., which is set to remain open throughout construction.

In a new release, TPL says the relocation responds to "rapid population growth and increased demand for library services in this part of the city," with the new branch set to serve the neighbourhoods of St. Lawrence, Moss Park, and Corktown.

Located roughly 950 metres from its current site (or about a 14-minute walk), the new location sits at the northeastern edge of the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, in a part of the city many actually consider to be Moss Park.

The building, which was restored and received heritage distinction in 2017, will provide 30,000 square feet of space, more than six times the size of the existing 4,800-square-foot-branch. In the past, the Queen Street East property was purchased by "Free the Children" (later known as WE Charity, which underwent a massive restoration project with developer TriAxis and Kohn Partnership Architects.

TPL says the new branch will offer expanded services, such as larger collections, extended hours, individual and group workspaces, as well as dedicated zones for teens and young children.

Although some local residents welcomed the library's relocation, others voiced disappointment over its new address on community Facebook groups.

"This is nowhere near the St Lawrence community. Glad to have a new branch, just wish it wasn't so far," one resident wrote, while another said, "So Moss Park is getting a new library and the St. Lawrence neighbourhood is losing our library."

In a lengthy statement posted on his website, Councillor for Ward 13 – Toronto Centre, Chris Moise, says the move to Queen Street East follows years of unsuccessful attempts to relocate the branch.

Originally planned to relocate to the First Parliament site, plans for the branch were scrapped when the province expropriated the lands for the forthcoming Ontario Line. Plans were then made to relocate the library to 125 The Esplanade once the St. Lawrence North Market building was complete, however, Moise notes that the "complexity of the project in terms of construction and costs" proved to be daunting. 

The councillor also recognized that while the new Queen Street East location will be more accessible for Toronto Centre residents, it will make the journey a bit longer for those who currently visit the St. Lawrence Library.

"I have had conversations with Deputy Mayor Malik, who expressed concern that her residents south of The Esplanade in Ward 10 may be forced to travel over a kilometre to do something as simple as picking up a hold or dropping off of a borrowed book, let alone to access any number of free services our libraries offer," Moise wrote on his website.

"I have brought these comments directly to TPL and have emphasized that while I support the relocation of the St. Lawrence branch to 339 Queen Street, I also support exploring opportunities to bring new library services closer to residents in Old Town Toronto. I will continue to work with City staff and Deputy Mayor Malik's office to explore new library opportunities closer to 171 Front Street East that can best serve all St Lawrence residents."

Moise says he has also directed $3 million in community benefits to fund upgraded library programming space, as well as a digital innovation hub and fabrication studio.

The upcoming library is arriving amid a significant development boom in the surrounding area. A recent application also proposes a 49-storey tower at 329-345 Queen St. E., which would replace most of the existing low-rise buildings on the block. Still, the proposal would retain the three-storey building at 339-345 Queen St. E., which is set to house the new TPL branch.