February
6, 2007
Presenting: The Beaches Library –
A Centre of Learning and Community Interaction
Right in the heart of the Beach,
just a few steps from the intersection of Queen Street and Lee Avenue
is the Beaches
Library, a stunning building designed by architect Eden Smith
in the 17th Century English Collegiate Grammar School Style. A $50,000
grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York City to the Toronto
Public Library facilitated the construction. The current building
replaced a storefront library and was opened in December of 1916.
Wordsworth - the famous sculpture outside the front entrance
Two other nearly identical libraries (the Wychwood and High Park
Branch) were opened around the same time, and George Locke, the
chief librarian wanted the three buildings to “bring to the
minds of the people of the outlying districts some recollection
of the Scottish and English village type architecture. The design
was actually considered to be a “decided revolt” from
the Classical styling of other Carnegie libraries.
The majestic Reading Hall
The building is impressive and features a soaring hammer-beamed
ceiling, a plain stone fireplace, lead-glass casement windows, and
a minstrel gallery. In 2004, the western section of the Library
was renovated and restored and reopened to the public in January
of 2005. The new two-level wing represents a harmonious architectural
addition to the existing building that integrates extremely well
into the design. Since 1979 the Toronto Beaches Library has been
included in the Inventory of Toronto Heritage Properties.
Barbara Weissmann
I had had several opportunities to visit the Beaches Library: as
a meeting place for historic tours with Gene
Domagala, when Barbara Weissmann, the Branch Head of the library,
provided me with historical background information about the Beach,
and as a special stop in my Beach tour with Sandra
Bussin, who considers the Beaches Library her favourite building
in the Beach.
The giant tapestry in the Reading Room
One evening I dropped by and talked to Eniko Szabo, the children’s
librarian, and she informed me about the various programs that are
being offered to children and adults at the Beaches
Library. Eniko herself is also a puppeteer who puts on a variety
of animated shows for children throughout the year.
Eniko Szabo
Both Barbara and Eniko directed me to a variety of special places
in the building: the main floor multi-purpose room with the fireplace,
the comfortable sitting areas on both levels of the west wing which
according to Eniko provide some of the best sunset views in Toronto;
a majestic view from the gallery over the Reading Hall; a historic
tapestry that was created as a community project, and the original
water fountain that has been preserved throughout the years.
The original water fountain
The Beaches Library primarily features English print material,
fiction and non-fiction for adults, teens and children as well as
videos, DVDs and CDs. In addition, it also has an extensive local
history collection as well as a wide selection of audio books, a
career information collection, English as a Second Language materials,
language learning kits, a large print collection and French language
collections for both adults and children. The Beaches Library is
one of the most active libraries in the Toronto Public Library system,
one of the largest and busiest library systems in the world. Public
usage has increased dramatically since the 2005 reopening after
the renovation, attesting to the popularity of this library branch.
What a cool chair!
A variety of special events are also held at the Beaches Library,
including a weekly “Wednesday Afternoon at the Movies”
featuring classic and contemporary feature films every Wednesday
at 2 pm. Beaches Book Lovers is a monthly drop-in for book discussions.
The Teen Programs at the Beaches Library include Anime Films for
March Break and a Knitting Circle that teaches basic stitches and
how to knit a funky scarf. The Knitting Circle is also offered for
children ages 7 and up. The popular Storytimes programs are offered
for children of different ages including Babytime, Toddler Time
and Preschool Storytime.
The Beaches
Library – a centre of learning for all ages.
Winter view towards the Alex Christie Bandshell
Related Articles:
Celebrate Toronto
- An article series to celebrate my chosen home town
Gene Domagala - A human convenience
store of charity and community involvement in Toronto's Beach
Arie Nerman & the Beach Hebrew Institute:
The People's Synagogue
Vivetha Bistro: A popular spot
with eclectic food
Glenn Cochrane - Media
personality, author and expert fundraiser – a champion of
the Beach for almost 40 years
Michelle Gebhart: A
true Renaissance woman: from army brat to expert renovator, biker
lady, successful restaurateur & dedicated youth volunteer
Michael Prue: A working class success
story - from Regent Park to Queens Park
Alex Winch & the
Beach Solar Laundromat – Unstoppable when it comes to championing
renewable energy & innovative entrepreneurship
Mary Lee: A restaurant owner with a heart
for the arts
Marie Perrotta from the Pegasus
Community Project reaches for the stars
Burgie and Benedetta from the Konditor
coffeehouse create Austrian delicacies in Toronto's Beach
Bob Murdoch from Community Centre
55 - 25 years of community service in the Beach
Steve and Paul from Accommodating
the Soul B&B: hospitality with a personal touch
John Dowding: A private lesson in
photography from a true master
Lucille Crighton: A textile
arts Hall of Famer in Toronto's Beach
Lido Chilelli: Founder
of the Toronto International Beaches Jazz Festival
Fire Station 227: History, heroism
and local connections in the Beach
The Green Eggplant: Healthy Mediterranean
food and big solid portions
The Balmy Beach Club - Legend
by the Lake & Toronto's best-kept secret
The Garden Gate Restaurant a.k.a. "The
Goof" - Good food in the Beach since 1952
Ralph Noble: Firefighter,
lifesaver and creator of the most famous mural in the Beach –
a noble man indeed
Sandra Bussin
- City Councillor and Deputy Mayor shows me her neighbourhood
The Toronto Beach Rotary Club:
Service above Self and the joys of volunteering
The Beaches Lions
Club: Charity and community projects in the Beach since 1935
The Beach Business
Improvement Area: A general overview of the Beach and the merchants
and activities on Queen Street East
Maria Minna:
An Italian-Canadian immigrant story and a life-long fight for social
justice
The Beach Metro Community
News: Much more than just the news
The Kingston Road Business Community:
A neighbourhood undergoing revitalization and an integral part of
the Beach
Andrew Smith and Rachel Howard:
Creative entrepreneurs and dedicated community builders
Nevada's Ristorante: Where
hospitality is a family affair
Maria Minna: Another neighbourhood
walk and talk and discoveries along Queen Street East
St. Aidan's Church:The spirit of charity
in the Beach comes full circle
Gene Domagala takes me on a history
tour of the eastern and northern part of the Beach - a perfect day
of discovery
The Beaches Library: A centre
of learning for all ages
A walk along Kingston Road:
A shopping district definitely worth a visit
55 Division: Serving and protecting
- community policing in action
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