Is This A Library?

(Title inspired by Stefanie of So Many Books)

I gasped and asked myself this question. For Saturday Snapshot Sept. 21, here are some views:

Indoor pond at entranceIMG_1170IMG_1174IMG_1175IMG_1173The answer to the question of course is Yes. It’s the Toronto Reference Library. I was most excited to have made a serendipitous find in there too.

There was a gallery in the library. Its current exhibit was entitled
FLIGHT: A THRILLING HISTORY OF AN IDEA.

Human has long been mesmerized by the idea of flight.

From Daedalus:

Daedalus

to Da Vinci:

Leonardo Da Vinci and FlightFrom Jules Verne:

Jules Verneto Audubon:

Audubon

Yes, it’s a library all right.

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Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy Reads. Click Here to see what others have posted.

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Published by

Arti

If she’s not birding by the Pond, Arti’s likely watching a movie, reading, or writing a review. Creator of Ripple Effects, bylines in Asian American Press, Vague Visages, Curator Magazine.

51 thoughts on “Is This A Library?”

  1. What an amazing space. The main library in Amsterdam was new and had a bit of a similar feel. One of many, many things I should still blog about. How fun that we both referenced Jules Verne today! The exhibition looks great. I love finding things like that.

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    1. Deb,

      You’ve brought out a good point. What is a library? Esp. in our e-culture. I’m impressed whenever a city is willing to spend the funds on building and improving public libraries these days.

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    1. ds,

      The photos were taken first thing in the morning. That’s why you don’t see too many people. When I went back in the afternoon, I couldn’t find an empty spot! You can see it’s very well used. Thanks for stopping by!

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  17. Toronto is so exciting. I took a course at the University of Toronto a few summers ago, which focused on Dostoevsky’s The Idiot, and I loved the old buildings. As exciting as the pictures are of the reference library you’ve shown here, I have to say I love the old “traditional” libraries the best.

    In rereading Kostova’s The Historian I am following the characters through all kinds of libraries in all kinds of countries. The one which has most loudly called my name is the Radcliffe Library in Oxford. Oh, I’d love to study there.

    Or, the Sorbonne.

    Or, back in Toronto.

    And to answer your previous question, “Yes. Let’s read Vol. 2 of Proust.” I’ll surely catch up if we plan to post late November.

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    1. Bellezza,

      Yes, I sure remember your TO course which you took with your mom. You’re right about the historic library buildings. I’d visited Oxford and Sorbonne, and certainly love the classic environment. You know, I think I like them both, the historic, and now this über modern one in TO. Each has its own uniqueness and atmosphere.

      As for Proust, Vol. 2, you’ve just prompted me to dig out the book (which I ordered after reading Vol. 1) some months ago. Since you said go ahead, then I’d say ok… let’s dive into it … but slowly. Let’s set November 30 as our final posting. Maybe we’ll have one post at the end of Oct, just to split it in half. Would you let me post about it just in case maybe others might want to join in?

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      1. Absolutely, post about it, as will I. I hope to join you for an end of October post, but I will plan on joining you on November 30 for certain! xo

        Also, I linked to your library post in conjunction with my thoughts on The Historian.

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  19. Love the modern design of the building … the levels are like branches off the tree of knowledge … fitting for a library … the round seating areas look like tree houses, and the water element at the base is just so perfect.

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  20. I’ve been to Toronto many times, never knew the existence of this gem, I am curious as to when the building was completed and whether an older one was demolished for this ultra modern structure to be constructed. I
    will definetely check it out on my next visit. Thanks for sharing these amazing photographs.

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  21. What a beautiful space! And I’m intrigued by the fact that it’s the Toronto Reference Library! Are its holdings specialized in some way? Oh, my goodness – can’t you just imagine the pleasure of spending long, solitary days in there, researching whatever you please?

    I did have one brief moment of disorientation. Until I read far enough to realize this is Toronto, I was so fearful that the water was left over in the Calgary library because of the flood. Thank goodness, no!

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    1. Linda,

      I’m sure you’ll be interested in discovering more about it… five levels, all kinds of subject matters plus many more offerings, the Gallery is a good e.g. Here’s the link to its main website. As for ‘solitary’ time, well you have to ignore all other users in there… I couldn’t find an empty seat when I went back in the afternoon.

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    1. Stefanie,

      The library has a century of history. This new look is the result of a $34 million revitalization project, which was still going on when I visited.

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  24. My goodness, what a gorgeous library! Very streamlined, and rather like the cut through section of a particularly swanky ocean liner. The display on aviation looks fabulous too.

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    1. litlove,

      Can you believe this library has over 100 years of history. These photos show the recent revitalization. Well worth it I think. Makes you want to stay and study and do research. It was full of users when I went back in the afternoon.

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