University of Toronto Libraries

The University of Toronto Libraries (UTL) system is the largest academic library in Canada and is ranked third among peer institutions in North America, behind only Harvard and Yale.^[2] The system consists of 40 libraries located on the University of Toronto's three campuses: St. George, Mississauga and Scarborough.^[3]

LocationToronto and Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

TypeAcademic library

Established1892; 134 years ago (1892)

Branches40

Quick facts Location, Type ...

University of Toronto Libraries
Robarts Library, the largest in the UTL system, located on the St. George campus
Location	Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Type	Academic library
Established	1892; 134 years ago (1892)
Branches	40
Collection
Items collected	Books, journals, newspapers, sound recordings, databases, maps, drawings and manuscripts
Size	12,426,395 physical volumes, 5.6 million microforms, 2,624,513 digital books, 184,228 e-journal titles, 33,063 linear metres archival material (2020)
Other information
Budget	CAD $111 million (including CAD $41 million for collections, CAD $45 million for salaries, CAD $10 million for benefits, and CAD $13 million for other expenses)
University Chief Librarian	Larry Paul Alford[1]
Employees	683 (including student assistants)
Website	library.utoronto.ca

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This array of college libraries, special collections, and specialized libraries and information centres supports the teaching and research requirements of 215 graduate programs, over 60 professional programs, and more than 700 undergraduate degree programs. In addition to more than 12 million print volumes in 341 languages, the library system currently provides access to 184,228 journal titles, millions of electronic resources in various forms and more than 33,000 linear metres of archival material.^[3] As of 2014, more than 150,000 new print volumes were acquired each year.^[4]

The largest library in the system is the John P. Robarts Research Library, located on the St. George campus, which houses the main collection of social sciences and humanities research resources at the University of Toronto. The Robarts Library complex is also home to the central Libraries’ administrative offices, exhibit galleries, Scotiabank Information Commons, Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation, Cheng Yu Tung East Asian Library, Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library, Map & Data Library, Petro Jacyk Central & East European Resource Centre and the Media Commons. Robarts Library is only accessible to University of Toronto students, faculty, staff, and those with a valid ID card.^[5][6]

The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library is connected to Robarts Library and is open to the public.^[7] It houses both the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections and the University of Toronto Archives and Records Management Services.^[8] It is Canada's largest rare book library and its holdings include books, manuscripts, maps, and graphic and audiovisual material covering a broad range of subjects and time periods.^[8][9]

Also located on the St. George campus, the Gerstein Science Information Centre is the main library for the science and health science disciplines. In addition to the centre's comprehensive print collection, there is a vast selection of health and scientific databases and indexes available online.^[10]