Mayor Olivia Chow announced her plan today to open all 100 library branches seven days a week, year-round within the next two years.
Chow made the announcement at the Wychwood branch of the Toronto Public Library, which is currently closed Sundays, but with this announcement will be open longer starting in September 2025.
Together with Toronto Library Board chair Alim Remtulla, city librarian Vickery Bowles, library board member Coun. Paul Ainslie and local Coun. Josh Matlow, the mayor committed to funding so that by July 2026 year-round, seven-day-a-week service is up and running.
The expanded access highlights the critical role libraries play in the city, at a time when there is a significant increase in the number of Torontonians who use libraries, according to a release from the mayor's office.
The release cited a recent report that says 81 per cent of Torontonians used the library in the past year, up 13 per cent from 2019.
"I often say, the best thing a library can be is open," city librarian Bowles said. "Toronto’s library plays a critical role in the city — whether it is free access to information, support from our expert staff, study space, wifi, workspace, a place to hang out after school or a venue to catch a cultural program, we offer something for everyone. The mayor’s support for increased open hours at branches across the city means there will be even more opportunities to build success, resilience and well-being for all."
In the city's 2024 Budget, the Library Board was able to add Monday service along with expanded morning and evening hours across eight branches.
In July, there was a 61 per cent year-over-year increase in traffic at those branches, compared to a six per cent increase at branches where hours did not change, according to the mayor's office.
In September, Sunday service was added to eight branches across the city.
“Libraries are one of our greatest tools to make our city more equal," Mayor Chow said. "They give people a sense of belonging and community."
The mayor’s 2025 Budget commitment means a revised and accelerated open hours plan will be considered by the Toronto Public Library Board on Monday. The library’s plan to expand hours can be found here.
It outlines how in 2025, 16 more library branches will receive increased Monday to Saturday hours and 33 more branches will add Sunday service. The move represents a $1.9-million increase to the open hours plan.
