Toronto Public Library - Runnymede Branch — Kid-friendly Storytime & Classes in Toronto, Ontario

What parents say

• Erwin Sniedzins

  2019-10-25

  In 1909 a group of literary gentlemen started a library with 300 books. By 1929 the public library doors of architect John Lyle opened. It's an interesting motif of 3 different architectural designs - Indigenous, English and French. Today, Sharon Wood, the first North American woman to summit Mt. Everest was doing a presentation on her experience and launching her new book 'Rising'. It's been 33 years since she taught me ice climbing. The talk was fabulous.

• J. C.

  2019-10-19

  This library is amazing, free wi fi, books, e books, DVDs, opens from Monday to Sunday, chess club, conversational english, kids zone. Bring your address and phone number to get the Toronto's library card, even if you are foreigner, then you can checkout any material. Some times is noisy, but is not a problem. There are printers, you just need to load a few dollars in the card in the same library to use the printers, 15 cents every page. The checking out process is very simple and the checking is automatic. Upstairs there are many events that you can check in the web page. Great place in Runnymede.

• Leviathan Conhippo

  This is a good library, but there are many things that make it rated much worse than it should be. First of all, my most major concern is that the washrooms (specifically the 2nd floor) smell absolutely horrific. They smell so terrible that they are almost unusable. To be honest, im not even sure why they smell so bad since the washroom itself is decently cleanly. There are so many simple solutions two of which are fragrance beads from dollarama (which is a 30 second walk from the library) or a bottle of febreeze spray. Problem solved. My second concern is that very often meetings are taking up the larger room on the second floor. I understand that these meeting must take place here, but they do not leave a quiet space for other to work since downstairs is too loud.

• Darius A

  2025-9-25

  I've been to dozens, if not hundreds, of public libraries across the GTA. Runnymede branch is at the bottom of my list! Bear with me as I'll walk you through the reasons. At the TPL Runnymede Branch alone, I've probably visited around 15 times by the time of writing this review. You know that feeling when you walk into a place that feels like a jungle - no rules, no order? That’s exactly what being at the Runnymede Branch feels like. Let me break down the issues so they can hopefully be addressed: 1. Noise Levels From people watching videos without headphones, to friends chatting loudly, to parents feeding their kids at desks clearly designated for adults, I’ve seen it all. At times, the space feels more like a playground than a public library. 2. Lack of Enforcement by Staff Rules only matter if they’re enforced. If there’s a sign saying “No cell phone use,” and someone is watching a loud video, I expect staff to politely step in. I’ve even brought issues to librarians directly, yet no action was taken. It makes the rules feel meaningless. 3. I love kids, but… Several times during the week, the entire library, not just the children's area, turns into what feels like a daycare. Both floors are often filled with noise and activity unrelated to reading or studying. Final Thoughts I truly love TPL, but sometimes I feel my tax dollars are being wasted. The branch needs better oversight, better enforcement, and better performance standards. 🙂

• tian Ly

  This is not a library atmosphere, it's a community center. Children running around screaming, teens making noise lacking respect for others. Staff don't enforce rules. The security woman is always behind the front desk fraternizing with the male staff and socializing with all. She is too busy to actually enforce the rules too. Very disappointing.