Year |
Details |
1923 |
Library opens on Weston Road near Eglinton Avenue. |
1928 |
Free public library is established at York Township School Section Number 28, Mount Dennis. In its first year of operation, the library serves a population of 9,000 residents, has 805 volumes that circulate 134 times, and spends $583.41 including $407.20 on books. The library is housed in rented space in the Mount Dennis Legion Hall (formerly the Major Theatre), on the west side of Weston Road (no 1006) between Dennis and York Avenues. |
1932 |
Is renamed Mount Dennis Public Library Board. |
1944 |
In Mount Dennis’s last year as an independent library board, it has 7,198 borrowers in a population of 9,878 residents, a collection of 7,640 volumes that circulates 59,394 times, is open 33 hours a week, and spends $3,762.05 including $673.40 on books. |
1945 |
Mount Dennis Public Library Board is dissolved. Its collections are transferred to the Township of York Public Library Board, established by Township of York By-Law 12495, enacted and passed on 15 January. Known as the Mount Dennis Branch, the library is located in a storefront at 1193 Weston Road, east side, between Hollis Street and Locust Avenue. |
1948 |
York Township Council approves building a main library building and two branches, including one at Mount Dennis. |
1950 |
Construction starts, April. |
1951 |
Library is opened at the current location, 19 March; officially opened in May. Architect: Albert Vine. Cost: $59,500. |
1960 |
"Art Room" is created in the basement for exhibitions of arts and crafts, December. |
1967 |
Branch becomes part of the York Public Library Board, when the Town of Weston and the Township of York are amalgamated as the Borough of York, 1 January. |
1969 |
Branch staff continues to service patients at Northwestern Hospital with a deposit collection. |
1971 |
Hours of service are extended with the branch opening on Wednesdays. |
1981 |
Hours are reduced with Monday closings. |
1982 |
"Plans to improve and expand the Mount Dennis Branch were activated. With the receipt of a large Wintario grant, architects were hired and it is hoped construction will begin in 1983." (York Public Library Board, Annual Report, 1982). |
1984 |
Reopened September. Ground-breaking ceremony for the Mount Dennis Library Extension and Renovation. (York Public Library, Annual Report, 1984). |
1985 |
"The Mount Dennis Branch was reopened to the public on September 3rd, following extensive renovations and an addition to the main floor of the building." (York Public Library, Annual Report, 1985). Officially reopened, 28 September. Moffet & Duncan Architects. |
1986 |
"The lower level of the recently renovated and expanded Mount Dennis Branch was opened in April and became the new location of the Children’s Department." (York Public Library, Annual Report, 1986). |
1987 |
"Work on completing the millwork, book security system, elevator, outdoor sign and parking lot was undertaken with funding from the City of York and the Ministry of Culture and Communications." (York Public Library, Annual Report, 1987). |
2000 |
Film Department closure of former York Public Library located at Mt. Dennis Branch, 14 January. |
2007 |
New hours, 8 January. Hours open per week decreased on 8 January from 51.5 to 50.5. |
2011 |
Closed for a major renovation and revitalization, 29 October. |
2013 |
Reopened 11 March. Winner of 2013 Toronto Urban Design Award, Award of Excellence for Public Buildings in Context. |
2014 |
Design Excellence Award (Ontario Association of Architects) and Michael V. and Wanda Plachta Award (Ontario Association of Architects). |
2015 |
OLA Library Building Award (Ontario Library Association). |