Perhaps it is better to provide some news that is benign rather than the brutal kind readily available elsewhere. Libraries are generally safe subjects and places and here are some positive stories about them.
Seven Days A Week
That news release reveals what you need to know and the stories which followed were all positive. As I mentioned back in "Factlet (17), the TPL is the biggest and busiest public library system in North America and they will now be even busier.
1. "All Toronto Public Library Branches Will Soon be Open Seven Days a Week: The city’s network of 100 locations is the largest and most used public system on the planet," Lindsey King, Toronto Life, Sept. 23, 2025.
"Pulitzer-winning journalist Barbara Tuchman once said, “Nothing sickens me more than the closed door of a library.” Today, Torontonians can pour one out for the legendary writer, because the Toronto Public Library just announced that it will be keeping its doors open longer while adding much-needed new programming."
2. "When People Need Them Most" Every Toronto Library Now Open Sundays as Part of Citywide Access Push," Jermaine Wilson, CTV News, Oct. 17, 2025.
"How much demand is the city seeing? When the library increased hours in 2024, officials say participating branches recorded a 44 per cent jump in visits compared to the same period the year before. Library usage citywide has also climbed, with 81 per cent of residents accessing TPL services."
3. "Olivia Chow Announces Plan to Open all Toronto’s Libraries Seven Days a Week by July 26, Raju Mudhar, Toronto Star, Oct. 28, 2025.
"The cost of adding the additional hours is $2 million to the city’s budget, according to Chow. As for the approach, it will be phased in, as recruitment of new librarians and other logistical issues need to be sorted out. By the end of it, all libraries will be open on Sundays from 12-5 p.m. and several smaller libraries, which are closed on Monday’s will also open that day."
“We have a saying at the library, the best thing a library can be is open,” said city librarian Vickery Bowles. “(This) doesn’t impact just one community. It impacts all communities, all residents across this great city.
“As part of this enhancement of this budget increase. We are adding approximately 42,000 hours of service in the next three years, which is an incredible feat (and) an incredible investment,” said Remtulla.
He added that “Sunday hours just make sense,” as many people have the day off and can make use of the library’s services. Remtulla also noted it’s one of the few remaining free places that anyone can use in the city and take advantage of its many programs."
I am pleased to be able to finally post something positive about Toronto. Many of us are pleased that we are able to do more things than we could back in the early 1990's when stores were still forced to close on Sundays.
I understand that university libraries are different, but I still think it would be better if they were open, a subject I addressed in this post - "Library Stuff" - from which this image is taken:
"Pulitzer-winning journalist Barbara Tuchman once said, “Nothing sickens me more than the closed door of a library.” Today, Torontonians can pour one out for the legendary writer, because the Toronto Public Library just announced that it will be keeping its doors open longer while adding much-needed new programming."
2. "When People Need Them Most" Every Toronto Library Now Open Sundays as Part of Citywide Access Push," Jermaine Wilson, CTV News, Oct. 17, 2025.
"How much demand is the city seeing? When the library increased hours in 2024, officials say participating branches recorded a 44 per cent jump in visits compared to the same period the year before. Library usage citywide has also climbed, with 81 per cent of residents accessing TPL services."
3. "Olivia Chow Announces Plan to Open all Toronto’s Libraries Seven Days a Week by July 26, Raju Mudhar, Toronto Star, Oct. 28, 2025.
"The cost of adding the additional hours is $2 million to the city’s budget, according to Chow. As for the approach, it will be phased in, as recruitment of new librarians and other logistical issues need to be sorted out. By the end of it, all libraries will be open on Sundays from 12-5 p.m. and several smaller libraries, which are closed on Monday’s will also open that day."
“We have a saying at the library, the best thing a library can be is open,” said city librarian Vickery Bowles. “(This) doesn’t impact just one community. It impacts all communities, all residents across this great city.
“As part of this enhancement of this budget increase. We are adding approximately 42,000 hours of service in the next three years, which is an incredible feat (and) an incredible investment,” said Remtulla.
He added that “Sunday hours just make sense,” as many people have the day off and can make use of the library’s services. Remtulla also noted it’s one of the few remaining free places that anyone can use in the city and take advantage of its many programs."
I am pleased to be able to finally post something positive about Toronto. Many of us are pleased that we are able to do more things than we could back in the early 1990's when stores were still forced to close on Sundays.
I understand that university libraries are different, but I still think it would be better if they were open, a subject I addressed in this post - "Library Stuff" - from which this image is taken:
