“The city’s public living room” sits in downtown Toronto. A spot for reading, advice, inspiration, or a creative evening plan. There’s more going on here than most people realise. This is the secret life of the Toronto Reference Library, and your guide to getting the most out of it.
1. Sherlock Holmes’ hideaway
Tucked away on the fifth floor, the Arthur Conan Doyle Room recreates the legendary detective’s study at 221B Baker Street, complete with Victorian décor and rare manuscripts. It’s a secret portal for literary detectives, where the city’s book lovers can channel their inner Holmes.
2. A sanctuary for Toronto’s storied writers and avid listeners
The library is a gathering place for the city’s creative minds. With readings and from acclaimed speakers like Booker Prize-winners, to aspiring poets sharing verses. It’s a space for Toronto’s stories to be written, read, and heard.
3. A hidden concert hall among the stacks
By day, it’s a temple of quiet study; by night, select corners transform into intimate venues for live music and spoken word. From candlelight concerts to open mic nights, here Torontonians discover world-class performances in the most unexpected setting—surrounded by shelves of stories.
4. A lifeline offering social work and community networks
Beyond its bookshelves, the library quietly offers on-site social workers and community programs, with everything from housing and mental health to newcomer settlement and legal advice. This is a space where the city looks after its own, often unnoticed by casual visitors.
5. A researcher’s wonderland of niche collections
The library is home to the Baldwin Collection of Canadiana (historic manuscripts, Toronto Star photo archive, rare maps), the Chinese Canadian Archive, extensive performing arts materials, and a vast array of journals and research resources. It’s a go-to haven for researchers and the city’s most curious minds, offering deep dives into topics far beyond the mainstream.