Lillian H Smith

Lillian Smith is one of those branch that is questionable if you ever want to visit.
On the plus
I find it is one of better libraries to find resource, it has two great collection rooms. Science Fiction on the third and Children’s on the 4^th. Thou I don’t think much people venture up past the third. The third floor is it computer room which is both good and bad. Sometime they don’t monitor and regular it enough. Thou there is usually security guard just outside or in room. They have two security guard which is good, this branch has it concerns which I will address in the next section.
The Bad
This branch has it fair share of undesirable people that you wonder why are they here, I am taking about the homeless, the crazy and the drunks. Before Lillian Smith, I couldn’t see this stuff happening but I was a regular for a few months and saw how often security was called to remove someone.
The decent
Staff are alright, might be a bit slow. Two security guard that are usually on top of issues.
I like to pop in once in a while to find a book but I won’t stay too long. Staff are pretty friendly

Good side about this library:
–Nice architecture and design. Love the design of the entrance of the front doors
–Free wifi.
— near U of T
–power bar on the table, enough electrical outlets to be share.
–great book collection.
–great kids activities from time to time
–friendly staffs
–open on Sunday and hours are longer than other public libraries in the area.
— there are security guards
Not so good side about this library:
–it can be smelly in this library
–there are some homeless and strange people in here sleeping, behave strangely and sometime noisy. (I am Not discriminating them).
–This library is very near several homeless shelters and located across from CAMH.
–It can be noisy especially after school hours. The kids using the computers on the 1^st floor-​noisy from time to time.
–people talking Skype or cell phone (worst when on open speaker)

I’ve been recently re-​introduced to the library scene and what they have to offer and I got to say wow, has the role of the library change.
I was surprised to see they provide a lot of amazing services to both the local community and to new comers from abroad looking to learn and fit in. The library offers work shops hosted by local experts that volunteer their time for just about every topic from fixing and maintaining your bike to how to improve and manage your credit score.
I have had the pleasure to witness some of the services being offered through the library system and see first hand the impact of some of these benefit to new comers as well as those just looking to know more.
If you are not aware of the variety of programs being offered at your local library or feel that these libraries are dinosaurs and nothing but a drain on our government purse. Think again. The Toronto Public Library system is the great equalizer for those who want more out of their community and provide a much needed services to new comers.
I’m one of those that thought libraries were dinosaurs and I typically like to see the role of government reduced and out of our lives but I can clearly see the benefits being offered here and I am quite impressed to see something being done right.

I love the architecture of this building. I also love that the Science Fiction selection is amazing here.
The only thing I dislike about this branch is the number of homeless people who lounge around all day long and just aimlessly wander the halls.

Don’t like this big space fool you, it’s a dirty library.
If you are in for some fun, try going up to the circulation desk and asking one of the uhh… surly…I mean public assistant for help looking for a book. First you will be redirected to speak to a librarian (even though you know the title and author of the book, you just want to put the item on hold… Really it’s just that simple… not so fast…
If you are going after regular business hours 5pm, prepare to wait…
Depending on the genre of your title, you may end up waiting by the libriarian’s desk downstairs if it’s a children’s book or go upstairs for an adult title. Make the trek up to the second floor or otherwise wait for up to 20 minutes… When it’s finally your turn they take less than a minute to put your item on hold and that’s it. Service is minimal depending on the librarian that is serving you… Let me put it this way, helpful staff going out of their way to help you are far and few between.
You’ve been warned. Oh and you would do well to take a bath right after you return from this library.

This is my current «go-​to» library, since CityPlace is not getting their own branch until 2013!
If you are a sci-​fi/​fantasy nerd than you will love it here. I was in heaven browsing the largest collection of these genres I’ve ever seen under one roof.
The general fiction area is adequate too and I find the new releases are always available at this library, maybe no one is taking things out here. I went in search of Greek travel guides the other day and could barely believe my luck when I found 3 brand new guides in stock.
Free wifi but not as many computers to use as some of the bigger locations.
Nice layout with spacious foyer and spiral staircase connecting you to floors 2 and 3.

Renewed my childhood love for flip books here. Come on, who doesn’t love flip books?
At the top floor of this circular-​shaped library is a room dedicated to the art of… you know… those books that you loved as a kid. The ones that you could turn, pull at tabs, and watch magically move. The ones you could spend hours poring over. The ones I did spend hours poring over, one rainy Saturday at Lilian H. Smith.
They also boast tons of little artifacts behind glass walls, and a few old original copies of this-​and-​that from centuries ago. I didn’t really pay attention.
Good CD selection when I checked it out too.

The exterior of Lillian H. Smith Library is quite impressive! And those 2 dragon statues guarding the front door. and more security guard inside to make sure we behave.
The collections here are impressive. especially for Chinese language books… have a lot recent best sellers and 7 days loan newer material.
Lillian H Smith is different from other Toronto Public Library branches because it has special Children’s collections that other branches doesn’t have…
With free Wifi everyone are happy… especially me!

Did you know that Lillian H. Smith (born 1887) was a Canadian-​born librarian largely responsible for improving the standard of children’s literature worldwide? (Shut up, no you didn’t.) This library features a few special collections in that vein including the Children’s Literature Resource Collection and the Marguerite G. Bagshaw Collection of Puppetry Creative Drama and Theatre for Children. Smith had a profound influence on Children’s Librarianship, and it is for her this library is named. [1]
Enough boring facts. Opinion time: this library is A-​OK. The books and magazine collection is not nearly as extensive as other branches. It does have a some Chinese and Vietnamese materials for loan, and if you happen to be a huge nerd, a stellar collection of science fiction and fantasy literature.
I find seating can be hard to come by. «Colourful characters» often languish at the desk and computers, and U of T students take up the rest. An OK place to pick up holds and browse for new releases, best sellers, etc., but not as solid for serious work or research.
Obligatory Title Pun: This library is worth CHECKING OUT.
Menu Readability: There are some dragons out front.
Need to mention: You can sign out pedometers here. Yeah!
What this place teaches me about myself: I cite my sources, bishes.
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[1]

I have a love-​love relationship with this library. Yes, it has children running a muck occasionally (After all, it does have a children’s lit focus) & yes, like a lot of public libraries — it is an occasional nesting area for the homeless.
But:
+1 — Free Wireless (Yes…FREE…)
+1 — Great magazine collection
+1 — Awesome statues outside! I like my libraries with a little ambiance.
+1 — Sci-​Fi/​Fantasy Collection is housed here.
Also, just like any TPL — you can put something on hold & they’ll bring it to your local branch for *free*.
No, I’m not a librarian — just an avid reader who gets her money’s worth from TPL.

Some guy jacked off in front of me while I was studying here.
I promptly cussed him out, reported him to the librarian on duty who summoned security to escort him out.
THAT’S IT?
Yeah I know. Pretty much tells you everything you need to know about how inept they are. …

Why does this place smell like mothballs and sour rags? And why do I keep coming here?
I have a love-​hate relationship with this library. It’s convenient, is a great mid-​point between my home and friends’ homes and, most importantly, is one of the few public libraries offering free wireless — why this isn’t a feature in all of the libraries is beyond me.
But I haven’t been here a day where there’s not been an incident, argument, or a bunch of elementary school kids slurping on soup and noodles on a nearby table. In a way, I wonder if I come here because it reflects the chaos in my own head? Am I looking at what I have become? Or has my environment become me?
Why is this library like a Charlie Kaufman flick?! I love it, I hate it, I sometimes want out, but I can’t… let… go.