Located inside East York Community Recreation Centre, Todmorden Room is the smallest Toronto Public Library branch. With a maximum capacity of 33 people, the humble size of this facility gave it extra charm, a welcome throw-back to a slower, more relaxed era before automated check-out stations and big city anonymity.
The main desk of Todmorden Room was directly in front of the entrance, and my husband Stewart was struck by how the librarian greeted each incoming patron by name. Even though there were only eight people in the library (including two staff members), we kept tripping over each other as we moved up and down the two short aisles.
The only multilingual resource I noticed at Todmorden Room was a Spanish learning kit with a CD, and the ESL collection had only fourteen books (hardly the fault of library with so little space to spare).
As at Woodside Square, Eglinton Square, and Bridlewood, the romance genre was well-represented, and it included a couple of titles that caught my attention: Kidnapped by the Cowboy and Outback Boss, City Bride. (While visiting the outback, I hope the urban spouse offers Marxist-feminist workshops on marital gender roles).
As I exited the room, I noticed a beige locker beside the check-out desk, possibly a hand-me-down from the gym down the hall. I liked how the library was well-integrated into the community centre, which also offered swimming and martial arts classes. In fact, I learned from the librarian that families often coordinate their trips to the branch around activities at the centre.
Way to go, plucky Todmorden Room! You bring the convenience, the family welcome, and flower-inspired children’s art!
