Toronto Public Library - Riverdale Branch

71 reviews

370 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 2M8, Canada

www.torontopubliclibrary.ca

+14163937720

About

Toronto Public Library - Riverdale Branch is a Public library located at 370 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 2M8, Canada. It has received 71 reviews with an average rating of 4.0 stars.

Photos

Hours

Monday9AM-8:30PM
Tuesday9AM-8:30PM
Wednesday9AM-5PM
Thursday9AM-5PM
FridayClosed
Saturday9AM-8:30PM
Sunday9AM-8:30PM

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Toronto Public Library - Riverdale Branch: 370 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 2M8, Canada

  • Toronto Public Library - Riverdale Branch has 4.0 stars from 71 reviews

  • Public library

  • "I love this library, or as I tend to call it, my library"

    "nasty Eurasian head librarian has become even nastier with her authoritarian attitude"

    "First off , I find the outside of the library visually appealing"

    "A big Toronto library, conveniently located near multiple TTC stops and Green P parking lots"

    "I've been here in Toronto for two months to attend an university course and I often studied at this library"

Reviews

  • Sally D Kelly

I love this library, or as I tend to call it, my library. I've been coming here for twenty years. It's a short walk from my house. The staff do change quite often but they are all without exception, friendly helpful always and very kind. There is always something going on too, which gives you a sense of belonging to a thriving community. Reading groups for small children, play groups, others on the computers etc. The library has a great selection of current magazines there too, so you can catch up on what's going on without the huge expense involve. I notice many in there catching up on the news, with the daily papers too. Sometimes I order books online, and sometimes I do just go in and pick something up. Audio books are great, and there is a very large selection of those too. Of course the library can also order anything else you want. It just takes a few days.... PS I should add that the building itself is magnificent. There is an historical plaque outside which tells you it's story. E J Lennox, who designed Casa Loma and Old City Hall also designed this lovely place. So take a minute to admire its outside as a well

  • Jose Paredes

nasty Eurasian head librarian has become even nastier with her authoritarian attitude. i come here whenever i do shopping in east chinatown, or do my laundry, even though i live at dufferin and college. She always snaps at me, not to eat in the store, even though i'm not eating and my stuff is in a bag, or i can't put my laundry bag on the chair beside me, although the library is empty all the time. A couple of times i went to the washroom, and within 2 minutes, staff screaming at me through the closed door. No wonder this library is always empty. This Eurasian person, i remember her from yorkville library and she was always too full of herself. Now many marginalized people don't come to this library since the pandemic started, and i'll bet anything, it's because of her gestapo attitude. Annoying and infuriating to say the least. It's what she is.

  • Patrick Casey

First off , I find the outside of the library visually appealing. It should be , as one of the Dale Carnegie Foundation early approved and built designs. The interior is also welcoming , and the people currently in charge and basically ' Running The Place ' are primarily Chinese , as it should be in this predominantly Chinese neighborhood ' East Toronto Chinatown ' . They are all at least Bi- Lingual if not Tri- Lingual , . They maintain a clean , Quite and helpful environment. Being a Senior citizen I appreciate their thoughtfulness and help , both on their equipment and my own ,Samsung Tablet I just received for my 68 the, Birthday.

  • A Person

A big Toronto library, conveniently located near multiple TTC stops and Green P parking lots. Great common meeting place to gather the gang. However, it sometimes get busy and you may have to register and wait for computer access. When it's busy, the noise level makes it difficult to study/sleep, and there may be many 'unsavory" characters at the building's entrance, or sleeping on chairs inside... or even worse harrassing library patrons and staff. Typical downtown library safety issues.

  • Alice Fraccaro

I've been here in Toronto for two months to attend an university course and I often studied at this library. The staff is very kind, but this seems to be everything but a library. It's full of disgusting people who are used to eat, burp, fart and spit like animals and the place is really dirty and smelly. I don't know if it's the normal local folklore or not. It's a pity because the place is a really good one, but it's impossible to stay in there.

  • Hugh Gallacher

Thanks so much to the ladies of the library today for rescuing me after the intransigence of the City Sightseeing Bus company who insisted I had to print off tickets purchased online. Thank you ladies for your patience and perseverance as I struggled a bit with the PC as I am a Mac man at heart. Your city should be proud of how you helped out a visitor in 'distress'

  • B.J. White

Toronto Public Library is a great organization; it's been especially important during COVID. I appreciate still being able to pick up books and agree with Kathryn that the mystery bags have been a great way to read things I otherwise wouldn't. Plus I really like the origami and other art they put on bulletin boards to welcome everyone. Great location.

  • lexxypexxy

You can't sit here, you can't stand there. Lots of rules from the staff. There's a bunch of chairs in the backroom but won't allow you to use it if there's not enough chairs to sit out. The building's foundation is weak which is why traffic noise/vibration can be felt and heard.

  • Tyyrf

The "quiet room" isn't exactly a quiet room. You can hear the engines, the car horns, the trucks passing by even worst during the winter months. They need some soundproofing at least. Edit: looks like Ms.Bossy is back. It was a stress-free couple of months though.

  • Arashdeep Kaur

Once I did work in that branch.The attitude of one lady towards me was not good.She spoke two or three times very rude to me during my work there. I am not sure but according to my guess she is the supervisor there.Rest of the librarians behaviour was good.

  • T R

This library is fine to check out materials but it isn't a place where I would want to study or sit and read a book. There is just too many homeless and mentally unstable people visiting this branch which ruins the library experience.

  • W P

Like another reviewer said, there is an odious old Caucasian female who works here. She takes her supervisor role way too seriously. She must learn some manners, stop shooing away customers as if they are cattle and behave herself

  • József Györfi

Certain periods of time are busy. Otherwise quite,unless some homeless bums or overdosed/highly influenced bumps in. Sometimes quite interesting and shocking.

  • Tom Neumann

Good place to study after school. Place is quiet and offers you computers. Great place to warm up during thr winter as well. Workers are very friendly.

  • Anastasiia Rekun

There are lots of homless people, you feel uncomfortable to be there. I don't recommend this space for studying or working, only for pickup books.

  • Nardos Samuel

There is a very limited space to sit and study plus it doesn’t look like a library the staffs speaks loudly as if it’s mall. All in all worst!

  • Lynn P

The staff were very helpful and quite pleasant. I brought a special needs client in and they were very accommodating with the resources

  • Anon Tablet

Library in a park with excellent access to transit. Good children's and computer sections, but not much in terms of study space.

  • Carmine Tang

This is an OK library. Because of the location, it usually gets a lot of people stopping by and sleeping on the chairs.

  • Anon Viewer

Nice antique building close to a major green space and transit lines. Unfortunately has limited chargers and slow WiFi.

  • kathryn hannan

I LOVE the grab and go bags ! Thank you for an UPLIFTING experience during lockdown. The surprise bags are FANTASTIC!

  • Damon Hines

Spacious, well equipped, public-friendly hours. Gotta love it …

  • Sarah Ahmed

Such a beautiful library with amazing places to study including a quiet study room!

  • Zarrin Samad

Excellent n dedicated staff....child friendly n most accommodating …

  • Kayla Frigault

Excellent service. Having fun isn't hard- when you've got a library card

  • Heather Li Sheman

The interior could use a refresher but still a relaxed quiet library

  • N Chan

A decent-sized library with pretty good collection of Chinese books

  • Roxy H

Great children’s section with lots and lots of books and toys!

  • Alen Wayne Leung

It is an average sized old library next to China Town..

  • Fi

big library with really big tables. but can get noisy

  • Vincent Yang

modern library with free internet for the community

  • Akcel Carreon

The one star should speak for itself.

  • Litzi Tejerina

I really love this place!

  • Maurizio Luciano

Very nice

  • 马大伟

热情服务 书籍齐全

  • Tak Kato
  • Abu Afza
  • Sen Rathan
  • Ali M
  • Marcella Jenkins
  • hazel raj
  • Ki-Yoon Thomas Lee (Canada Thomas)
  • Kit Kwan
  • Ham Hawk
  • ambarish j
  • Risto Pilipovic
  • Dan D
  • robert chipman
  • Loc Ho
  • Kenneth Tubio
  • Aleksandra Kuzma
  • Thasan Amir
  • Jonathan Yim
  • Nathan Maharaj
  • Truth Hurts
  • Charlie Halpern-Hamu
  • Olya Eizhvertina
  • Andrew Pritchard
  • Sarah krymalowski
  • Shruti Talwar
  • Herbert Luk
  • Maddy Mehi
  • yidi zhao
  • CURT st.vincent
  • Anuraj Pushparajan
  • James Douglas landry
  • Jiaqing Pan (Canada 家庆)
  • Asli Kahraman
  • Risto Pilipovic
  • Castle firt

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