Toronto Reference Library Blog

Wonder what it means when you see this?

The Toronto Reference Library owns more than 4.5 million items, and we don't have room for them all on the public Open Shelf.  We store older, fragile and overflow materials behind the public walls in a storage area we call "Stacks".

When you see  on the library website, it means the item is in storage, and staff will have to bring it out to you.  To order the item, click on the button and enter your library card number in the box. Choose the floor you want it sent to from the dropdown menu.

You'll know your request went through when you see this (be sure to click OK):  

You can have Stack items delivered to the 2nd, 3rd or 4th floors.  In 15 to 30 minutes they'll appear on the Stacks Pickup shelf on that floor, and you can'take them anywhere in the building to use.

Your items wait on the pickup shelf until the end of the same day. (That means you can also order from home and have books waiting when you arrive at the library.) At the end of the day, all items go back to storage, but if you haven't finished with yours, take them to an info desk and we'll hold them until next day under your name.

Sound too complicated?  Just ask at any desk, and staff will make the Stack Request for you.  No Toronto library card?  Ask at the first floor desk for an In Library Access card, or ask at any info desk for help.  Your book hasn't arrived after 30 minutes?  Check at any info desk, and we'll trace what's happened.

It's not easy organizing and storing millions of books, magazines, music and images.  We're not as fast as Google, but what we offer, you can hold in your hands.  And please, just ask.  We're here to get it for you.

Wonder what it means when you see this?

The Toronto Reference Library owns more than 4.5 million items, and we don't have room for them all on the public Open Shelf.  We store older, fragile and overflow materials behind the public walls in a storage area we call "Stacks".

When you see  on the library website, it means the item is in storage, and staff will have to bring it out to you.  To order the item, click on the button and enter your library card number in the box. Choose the floor you want it sent to from the dropdown menu.

You'll know your request went through when you see this (be sure to click OK):  

You can have Stack items delivered to the 2nd, 3rd or 4th floors.  In 15 to 30 minutes they'll appear on the Stacks Pickup shelf on that floor, and you can'take them anywhere in the building to use.

Your items wait on the pickup shelf until the end of the same day. (That means you can also order from home and have books waiting when you arrive at the library.) At the end of the day, all items go back to storage, but if you haven't finished with yours, take them to an info desk and we'll hold them until next day under your name.

Sound too complicated?  Just ask at any desk, and staff will make the Stack Request for you.  No Toronto library card?  Ask at the first floor desk for an In Library Access card, or ask at any info desk for help.  Your book hasn't arrived after 30 minutes?  Check at any info desk, and we'll trace what's happened.

It's not easy organizing and storing millions of books, magazines, music and images.  We're not as fast as Google, but what we offer, you can hold in your hands.  And please, just ask.  We're here to get it for you.