Lillian H. Smith Branch

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Lillian H. Smith Branch Lillian H. Smith library, in the heart of the Discovery District, Chinatown and Kensington Market, is a district branch of Toronto Public Library. Phillip H.

1922- Boys & Girls House Library opened 27 September. First library in the British Empire devoted exclusively to children.
1928- Enlarged "to provide a little theatre for dramatic and story-hour purpose." (TPL Annual Report 1928).
1951- Addition for library and Little Theatre opened 30 May.
1963- Original Boys and Girls House demolished.
1964- Boys and Girls House rebuilt, 1951 addition retained. Murray & Fliess Architects. Opened 7 May.
1992- Land acquired on College Street southwest corner of Huron Street for a new branch building designed by Phillip H. Carter Architect.
1993- Construction of new facility began.
1995- Boys & Girls House branch closed on 1 April. Library Board votes on 24 May (motion 95/107) to name the replacement branch in honour of Lillian Helena Smith (1887-1983), who was the head of children's services at the Toronto Public Library for 40 years, 1912-1952. Smith Branch opens on 18 October. Carter Architect.
1999- Sunday opening initiated 17 October.
2003- Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) - Outstanding Achievement in Building Award.
2007- Hours open per week increased on 8 January from 58 to 63.

When global events threatened farmers' livelihoods, created supermarket shortages, and revealed to consumers that our fo...
10/08/2026

When global events threatened farmers' livelihoods, created supermarket shortages, and revealed to consumers that our food system is broken, what can we do as a community to strengthen our local food system?

Nancy Matsumoto, author of Reaping What She Sows: How Women Are Rebuilding Our Broken Food System, will highlight Toronto women changemakers building up local and regional supply chains to combat the destructive effects of Big Food in a special panel talk, discussing the importance of a resilient, transparent, climate-friendly local and regional food system—for our health, the health of workers, animals and communities, and the future of our planet.

Presented in celebration of Women's History Month, as part of Small Business Month, and as part of TPL's environmental program series, Our Fragile Planet, supported by Friends of Toronto Public Library, South Chapter.

SPOOK-TACULAR SPOOK-TOBER CALENDER FOR ADULTS + SENIORS‼️🎃REGISTER FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS TO CLAIM YOUR FANG-TASTIC SPOT ...
10/03/2026

SPOOK-TACULAR SPOOK-TOBER CALENDER FOR ADULTS + SENIORS‼️🎃

REGISTER FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS TO CLAIM YOUR FANG-TASTIC SPOT 🧛‍♀️🧛

FA-BOO-LOUS Spook-tober calender for children‼️👻 BOO-K your SPOOKY SPOT 👻
10/03/2026

FA-BOO-LOUS Spook-tober calender for children‼️

👻 BOO-K your SPOOKY SPOT 👻

Join author and psychologist Nicholas Epley who will explore why people may choose to be less social and the impact this...
10/03/2026

Join author and psychologist Nicholas Epley who will explore why people may choose to be less social and the impact this can have on our health and well-being. He will share practical strategies and simple actions that can help older adults and seniors strengthen social connections and become a little more social. Participants can also take part in a short interactive workshop led by Nicholas. Light refreshments will be provided.
Drop in or register in advance to receive a reminder or drop-in on the day.

Ballet 101 with Jörgen Dance provides opportunities for teens to see real performances by a professional ballet company ...
09/29/2026

Ballet 101 with Jörgen Dance provides opportunities for teens to see real performances by a professional ballet company while learning about ballet as a storytelling medium. The program will include a mix of performative demonstrations, discussion, and guided participation. Registration is required at tpl.ca/ls.

Friday November 6, 4-5PM

Break down the stigma around elder abuse and learn how to recognize and respond to it in a safe way. Join a facilitator ...
09/25/2026

Break down the stigma around elder abuse and learn how to recognize and respond to it in a safe way. Join a facilitator from Theatre of the Beat for this practical and engaging workshop where you’ll learn to:
· identify the different types of elder abuse
· Identify the signs of elder abuse
· Using theatre exercises, develop strategies to be an ‘active bystander’ in situations where elder abuse might be present. No theatre experience required, but participation in role plays is encouraged!

Light refreshments are provided for all participants. Ingredient lists will be available at the program.
About Theatre of the Beat: 

Theatre of the Beat (TOTB) is a Canadian touring theatre company working to catalyze conversations on social justice and its intersection with the beliefs of the communities in which we find ourselves.

Register now!!

Join us as we bring the world to you through the power of cinema! Beginning with a small introduction, we will be hostin...
09/25/2026

Join us as we bring the world to you through the power of cinema! Beginning with a small introduction, we will be hosting screenings from various movies from around the world. This month will be Oldboy South Korea, 2hrs)

Drop in!

Monday Oct 19
5:30-8pm

Are you a musician, poet, or storyteller? If so, then you are invited to share your talents at the Lillian H. Smith Libr...
09/25/2026

Are you a musician, poet, or storyteller? If so, then you are invited to share your talents at the Lillian H. Smith Library Open Mic! Please note: stand-up comedy is not featured. This program is for adults and seniors. 5 minutes provided for each performance. For musicians, please bring your music instruments) and/or backing track(s). Performers sign up at 5:30pm.

Lillian H Smith Library
Friday Oct 9th
6-8pm

New to investing? Learn the basics of this important part of financial literacy, including how to save with the goal of ...
09/22/2026

New to investing? Learn the basics of this important part of financial literacy, including how to save with the goal of investing, types of investments, how to open an account, types of accounts, how to avoid financial frauds and scams, and more.
Presented by Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), a national self-regulatory organization that oversees all investment dealers, mutual fund dealers and trading activity on Canada’s debt and equity marketplaces.

Register now: Lillian H Smith Library

📈Monday October 5
12-1pm

OSBORNE COLLECTION- LILLIAN H SMITHJoin the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books for our 38th Helen E. Stubbs Me...
09/18/2026

OSBORNE COLLECTION- LILLIAN H SMITH

Join the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books for our 38th Helen E. Stubbs Memorial Lecture: Paper Trail: Writing and Walking by Sarah Ellis.The word that best describes Sarah’s career in writing is “meander.”
In this presentation she will tell stories about her work and her wanders, including the pleasures of flaneuring, both on the page and on her feet, the winding journey
from grade four essay to substack via a long detour in children’s fiction, her beloved companions of the road, the importance of good socks and good colleagues, the
inevitable, scary and productive experience of getting lost, and the odd tendency of humans to walk counterclockwise when left to wander freely (true fact!). Come prepared for detours.

Doors will open at 6:00 pm.
No registration is required. Everyone is welcome

Address

239 College Street
Toronto, ON
M5T1R5

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 8:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 8:30pm
Thursday 9am - 8:30pm
Friday 9am - 8:30pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 1:30pm - 5pm

Telephone

416-393-7746

Website

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