Downsview Branch Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary!
Fifty years ago on March 6, 1962 Downsview Branch first opened its doors.
Photo credit: Roy Nicholls
With only 15,000 books and approximately 10,000 square feet in size, Downsview opened its doors as the third branch of the North York Public Library. Its target population was 70,000 residents who lived between Dufferin Street and the Humber River. Now with over 80,000 items to borrow and over 20,000 square feet of space to read, study or enjoy a program in, Downsview Branch has a special "golden" occasion to commemorate!
On Tuesday March 6th, 2012 from 2 pm to 4 pm, Downsview Branch will be celebrating its 50th anniversary! At 2 pm, guest speakers from the North York Historical Society will talk about the early Downsview settlers, the historic Downsview United Church and what the area was like in the early 1800s!
Join us for an afternoon of reminiscing with former and current Downsview staff!
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Learn more about the Downsview area of North York!
*This is a 1947 aerial photograph from the City of Toronto Archives (see 8E).
Can you identify any of the streets or landmarks? Perhaps the Downsview Airport?
Engage in a conversation over a special photo presentation using images from Canadiana Department and from the Toronto Public Library's Digital Archives!
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Photo description: Wilson Ave. looking east from Keele St., May 1955. Photo source: Toronto Public Library Digital Archives |
Photo description: Wilson Ave. looking east from Keele St., May 2009. Photo source: Google Maps, street view. |
Enjoy light refreshments and an afternoon of Downsview memories.
Hope to see you there!
Diana
Downsview Branch
2793 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3M 2G3
416-395-5720
P.S. Can't wait til the 50th birthday to find out more about Downsview? Check out the book Pioneering in North York: a history of the borough by Patricia W. Hart! Our guest speakers will also discuss historical content from the book!
5 thoughts on “Downsview Branch Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary!”
Great post, Diana! I love seeing “then” and “now” photographs of Toronto. the TPL digital archives is a great resource.
“It’s” is misspelled four times in the article. That is a little bit disturbing on a library website. Otherwise, good article.
Also 1800’s should be 1800s.
See, for example: http://www.yorku.ca/yorkweb/standards/language/numbers.html
Thanks Vanessa!
It’s great to see how Downsview has transformed throughout the years. And yes, the TPL Digital Archives is an awesome resource gem…you never know what you’ll find there!
@Sharon Wyatt & copy ed – Thanks for catching the errors! 🙂