The University of Toronto Libraries (UTL) system is the largest academic library in Canada and is ranked third among peer institutions in North America, behind only Harvard and Yale. The system consists of 40 libraries located on the University of Toronto's three campuses: St. George, Mississauga and Scarborough.

This array of college libraries, special collections, and specialized libraries and information centres supports the teaching and research requirements of 215 graduate programs, over 60 professional programs, and more than 700 undergraduate degree programs. In addition to more than 12 million print volumes in 341 languages, the library system currently provides access to 184,228 journal titles, millions of electronic resources in various forms and more than 33,000 linear metres of archival material. As of 2014, more than 150,000 new print volumes were acquired each year.

The largest library in the system is the John P. Robarts Research Library, located on the St. George campus, which houses the main collection of social sciences and humanities research resources at the University of Toronto. The Robarts Library complex is also home to the central Libraries’ administrative offices, exhibit galleries, Scotiabank Information Commons, Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation, Cheng Yu Tung East Asian Library, Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library, Map & Data Library, Petro Jacyk Central & East European Resource Centre and the Media Commons. Robarts Library is only accessible to University of Toronto students, faculty, staff, and those with a valid ID card.

The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library is connected to Robarts Library and is open to the public. It houses both the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections and the University of Toronto Archives and Records Management Services. It is Canada's largest rare book library and its holdings include books, manuscripts, maps, and graphic and audiovisual material covering a broad range of subjects and time periods.

Also located on the St. George campus, the Gerstein Science Information Centre is the main library for the science and health science disciplines. In addition to the centre's comprehensive print collection, there is a vast selection of health and scientific databases and indexes available online.

Partnerships and collaboration

The University of Toronto Libraries system is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, Canadian Association of Research Libraries, and the Ontario Council of University Libraries.

Branches

The following is a list of the 40 branches of the University of Toronto Libraries system.

Main

NameCampusImage
Gerstein Science Information CentreSt. George
John P. Robarts Research LibrarySt. George
U of T Mississauga LibraryMississauga
U of T Scarborough LibraryScarborough

Colleges

CollegeNameCampusImage
Emmanuel CollegeEmmanuel College LibrarySt. George
Innis CollegeInnis College LibrarySt. George
Knox CollegeCaven LibrarySt. George
Massey CollegeRobertson Davies LibrarySt. George
New CollegeIvey LibrarySt. George
St. Michael's CollegeJohn M. Kelly LibrarySt. George
Trinity College and Wycliffe CollegeJohn W. Graham LibrarySt. George
University CollegeUniversity College LibrarySt. George
Victoria CollegeE. J. Pratt LibrarySt. George

Subject

SubjectNameCampusImage
Architecture, landscape, and designEberhard Zeidler LibrarySt. George
Arts (fine)Department of Art LibrarySt. George
BusinessThe BRIDGEScarborough
Milt Harris LibrarySt. George
CeramicsGail Brooker Ceramic Research Library at the Gardiner MuseumSt. George
ChemistryA. D. Allen LibrarySt. George
Christian studiesInstitute for Christian StudiesSt. George
CriminologyCentre for Criminology LibrarySt. George
DentistryHarry R. Abbott Memorial LibrarySt. George
Earth SciencesNoranda LibrarySt. George
East Asian studiesCheng Yu Tung East Asian LibrarySt. George
EducationOISE LibrarySt. George
Engineering and Computer ScienceEngineering and Computer Science LibrarySt. George
European studiesPetro Jacyk Central and East European Resource CentreSt. George
First Nations studiesFirst Nations House LibrarySt. George
GeographyMap and Data LibrarySt. George
Hong Kong studiesRichard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong LibrarySt. George
Industrial Relations and Human ResourcesNewman LibrarySt. George
LawBora Laskin Law LibrarySt. George
MathematicsMathematical Sciences LibrarySt. George
MediaMedia CommonsSt. George
MusicMusic LibrarySt. George
Mediaeval StudiesPontifical Institute of Mediæval Studies LibrarySt. George
Physics, astronomy and astrophysicsPhysics LibrarySt. George
Rare booksThomas Fisher Rare Book LibrarySt. George
SeminarySt. Augustine's Seminary LibrarySt. George
ArchivalRoyal Ontario Museum Library and Archives
U of T Archives and Records Management Services (UTARMS)St. George
UTL at Downsview
MiscellaneousU of T Schools (UTS) Library Information CentreSt. George

Chief librarians

University Librarian

  • John McCaul (1843–1852)
  • John William Small (1852–1853)
  • Alexander Lorimer (1854–1868)
  • John Edgeworth Thomson (1868–1872)
  • William Henry Van der Smissen (1873–1891)
  • Hugh Hornby Langton (1892–1923)
  • William Stewart Wallace (1923–1954)

University Chief Librarian

  • Robert Harold Blackburn (1954–1981)
  • Marilyn Sharrow (1982–1985)
  • Carol Moore (1986–2011)
  • Larry Paul Alford (2011–present)

External links