Libraries along St. Clair West
Arguably one of our most important social institutions these days is the public library. Toronto has the most active library system in the world, with millions of in-person visits each year, not to mention virtual visits. A number of our interviewees have spoken fondly of both the Wychwood and Dufferin branches of the library; for example, Linda MacDonald visited the Earlscourt Library (as the Dufferin/St. Clair branch was then called) during her school years and remembers its high ceilings: “It was absolutely gorgeous”.
Adult Reading Room, Toronto Public Library, Earlscourt Branch, 1933. Toronto Public Library Archives, TPL-A-0260.
She may have bumped into Philip Decina there, as he was consulting the encyclopedias for high school homework. No computers back then!
Children’s area, north wing, Toronto Public Library, Earlscourt Branch, 1964. Toronto Public Library Archives, TPL-A-0275.
Though her husband avoided the library, Anne Werden loved the Wychwood branch: “The library was a big place. It was a really nice library, very private, very quiet.” Perhaps it was not quite so quiet when Valerie Endicott was there; in grade 6 she and a friend put on some plays there in front of the fireplace.
Boys and Girls Room, Wychwood Branch, Toronto Public Library, 1940. Toronto Public Library Archives, LOCHIST-WY-004.
And Mary B. tells us “I rely on the library an awful lot. I go very frequently and know practically everyone there.” Mary used to take her children to the library, and when she couldn’t get out due to bad weather, she used the Home Library service. “A little truck would come by every 2 weeks and drop off books.” This service is still available, by the way, though it has changed somewhat: www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/home-library-service/
People from all walks of life depend on the library in many different ways, so when the Wychwood branch closed down for renovations in 2018 it disrupted a lot of lives and the reopening was greatly anticipated. However, due to the pandemic, construction was delayed for all the usual reasons, so it was only a few months ago that the branch finally flung wide its doors. Recently I paid a visit to the library to talk to the head librarian, Isobel Lang, about the history of the Wychwood branch.
Exterior of Wychwood Library, Toronto Public Libraries.
Isobel has been writing a detailed history of the Wychwood branch, and there is a nook on the second floor dedicated to the topic, complete with a slideshow and an impressive collection of books. Originally, the branch was known as the Bracondale Public Library and was housed in the Bracondale post office. Its subsequent homes included a factory, a fire hall and Hillcrest School. When the Bracondale neighbourhood amalgamated with the City of Toronto in 1911, the citizens were adamant that the library be maintained. Thanks to a Carnegie grant (who knew that the Americans were dedicated to Canadian literacy!), the building we now know as the Wychwood branch was opened in 1916. Much of this history is described in the library’s timeline:
www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/library-history/carnegie-wychwood.jsp
Architectural drawing of Wychwood Branch Library, 1915. Toronto Public Library Archives, TPL-A-0032.
The renovation has preserved much of the original building, while more than doubling the space and bringing in a lot more light. It is a busy place, with multi-use rooms that allow for school visits, pop-up storytimes, March Break and summer programmes, performances, panels, talks and more. There will be accommodation for the lawn bowling clubhouse and the bowling grounds will soon be restored, much to the relief of the members. If you haven’t yet paid a visit to the Wychwood branch, here’s a virtual tour the Toronto Public Library has posted on YouTube below.
Drop by sometime and enjoy one of our neighbourhood’s biggest assets!