Inside Eglinton Square Mall is a food court. Inside that food court is a Manchu Wok. And beside Manchu Wok is a library!
A no-frills branch in one square room, Eglinton Square Library is my frequent go-to destination to pick up holds (second only to Kennedy/Eglinton). This library is almost always very crowded, even at six pm on a weeknight. Patrons often need to stake their claims on various study-territories, spreading out their papers widely to ensure sufficient personal space.
Located a few steamy shelves to the west of the study tables, the Romance collection looms large in this modestly-proportioned branch. Spoiled for choice, readers can consider titles such as Beast of Desire, Perfectly Saucy, and Dirty Harriet Rides Again.
Not far from the south wall, Tagalog, Chinese, Tamil, and French materials constitute the bulk of Eglinton Square’s multilingual section, with a spirited shout out from Hindu videos. (Greek, Gujarati, and Korean used to be available at this branch, but the collections have now moved elsewhere in the TPL system).
On the north side of the room, three sets of low shelves arranged in a boxy “U” shape create an alcove for the Children’s section. The most prominent decoration is a set of chunky wooden letters spelling “Children’s” attached to the wall. A wooden monkey sits in the lower curve of the capital “C”.
On a recent visit to Eglinton Square, I noticed a striking display on the table near the entrance. It contained books that celebrated Islamic art, culture, and history as well as leaflets showcasing the Aga Khan museum (for which MAP passes can be obtained at the circulation desk). The display exemplified what I like best about Eglinton Square Library: its accessibility, diversity and ability to respond to community needs.
