Toronto Public Library to extend hours and add youth services
All 100 branches to open longer; three to add Youth Hubs under 2025 budget
City Council has approved Toronto Public Library’s (TPL’s) 2025 budget, significantly expanding access to services citywide. The funding will support extended operating hours and additional Youth Hubs, increasing community access to vital library resources.
By fall 2025, all TPL branches will be open on Sundays year-round. By summer 2026, all locations will operate seven days a week year-round.
Extended hours will give residents greater access to TPL’s knowledgeable staff and technology resources, as well as more support for children and youth while reducing barriers for equity-deserving groups.
Extended hours of operation
The open hours expansion will roll out in phases:
- Summer 2025: Select branches will extend Monday-Saturday hours, and some locations will add Monday service for the first time.
- Fall 2025: All 100 branches will offer Sunday service year-round with expanded hours (12-5 pm).
- Summer 2026: All 100 branches will operate seven days a week year-round.
Growing demand for library services
Library usage continues to rise, with 81% of Toronto residents accessing TPL services in the past year. A 2024 increase in extended hours proved highly successful – participating branches saw a 61% increase in visits during the first month compared to the same period in the previous year.
New Youth Hubs
To meet the growing needs of Toronto’s youth, TPL will open three new Youth Hubs in Fall 2025.
Youth Hubs are welcoming drop-in spaces for teens ages 13-18, designed to support them in their personal development. They are open each weekday after school and during the summer, offering access to homework help, activities and programs, nutritious snacks and a broad range of current technology. Youth Hubs are located in branches in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and in branches that serve these areas.
New Youth Hub locations will be announced in the coming months.
Additional budget highlights
TPL has received funding for one additional Digital Innovation Hub, as well as support to expand its successful Financial Empowerment service from two branches to four. Additionally, TPL’s Social Service Team initiative will grow from four branches to up to 12 branches. This service is in partnership with Gerstein Crisis Centre, a key partner in the Toronto Community Crisis Service. It places crisis workers in library branches to provide short-term counselling, mental health support, primary health care and housing referrals. The initiative also offers wellness and recovery programming, leveraging Gerstein’s established service and referral networks.
Quotes
“During our strategic plan consultations, residents consistently told us they wanted more open hours, especially Sundays. The overwhelming response to our extended hours program in 2024 shows how vital library services are to our communities. With 81% of Toronto residents using TPL, this expansion ensures our branches can meet the growing needs of our communities.”
– Alim Remtulla, Chair, Toronto Public Library Board
“This investment expands access to TPL services and spaces, helping Toronto’s residents and communities succeed. With longer hours and more youth hubs, TPL is boosting digital inclusion, strengthening support for children and youth, and breaking down barriers for equity-deserving groups.”
– Vickery Bowles, City Librarian, Toronto Public Library
About Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library is the biggest and busiest public library system in North America, with more than 46 million annual visits to our branches and online. We empower Torontonians to thrive in the digital age and knowledge economy through easy access to technology, lifelong learning, and diverse cultural and leisure experiences, where, when and how our customers need us. To learn more, visit tpl.ca, email Answerline at answerline@tpl.ca or follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to email updates.
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