University of Toronto Library: Hours, Access & Collections

For anyone in Toronto who’s ever needed a quiet place to study, a rare book, or a database their local branch doesn’t carry, the University of Toronto Library system has likely come to mind. With 44 libraries across three campuses and a collection of over 12 million volumes, it’s not just the largest academic library in Canada—it’s ranked third among peer institutions in North America (Wikipedia).

Largest academic library in Canada: University of Toronto Libraries ·
Ranking among North American peers: 3rd ·
Total libraries across three campuses: 44 ·
Print collection volume: 12 million+

The table below captures the scale of the U of T Library system in numbers.

Is the Toronto university library open to the public?

Yes. The U of T Libraries are open to the public during regular operating hours. Each branch posts its own schedule, but the general policy allows anyone to enter and use materials on site (U of T Libraries – Libraries & hours).

Robarts Library hours

• Monday – Thursday: 8:30 am – 11 pm (U of T Libraries – Robarts page)
• Friday: Closed (sample week) (U of T Libraries – Robarts page)
• Saturday – Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm (U of T Libraries – Robarts page)

Public access policies

Visitors do not need a student ID to enter most libraries. However, some areas (like group study rooms) may require a U of T login. The “Visiting the Robarts Library” policy requires a request that states the purpose and the print materials you intend to consult, and requests are reviewed Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm (U of T Libraries – Visiting Robarts policy).

Campus library locations

The system spans St. George (downtown), Mississauga, and Scarborough campuses (U of T Libraries – Libraries & hours). Each campus has its own set of specialized libraries—Engineering, Law, Music, and more.

Can non‑U of T students use the library?

Non-students can indeed use the library, but with more limited privileges than current students or faculty (U of T Libraries – Membership services).

Borrowing privileges for non-students

• Visitors can borrow up to 100 items (U of T Libraries – Membership services)
• Loan period is 14 days with renewal up to 42 days (U of T Libraries – Membership services)
• You may request up to 25 items for pick-up (U of T Libraries – Membership services)

On-site access vs. remote access

On-site: anyone can enter, read, and use computers. Remote access to licensed databases (e.g., JSTOR, ProQuest) is restricted to current students, faculty, and staff with a UTORid login (U of T Libraries – Libraries & hours).

Toronto Public Library card for non-students

This question is often confused with the Toronto Public Library (TPL) card. TPL is separate from U of T Libraries. A free TPL card is available to anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Toronto. Non-residents can purchase a TPL membership for an annual fee. The two systems are not interchangeable, but both offer rich collections (Toronto Public Library – Your library card).

What is the most beautiful university library in the world?

Beauty is subjective, but a few libraries consistently top Instagram and travel lists. The University of Toronto’s Robarts Library often appears in these rankings for its Brutalist architecture and the adjacent glass‑walled Robarts Common (U of T Libraries – Robarts page).

Top contenders for most beautiful library

• University of Chicago – Harper Library: Gothic reading room
• University of Oxford – Bodleian Library: Historic and ornate
• University of Toronto – Robarts Library: Brutalist landmark with modern common

University of Toronto’s Robarts Library

Robarts is the largest single library on the U of T campus. Its concrete exterior divides opinion, but the interior atrium and study areas are widely photographed. The new Robarts Common adds a light‑filled, glass façade that contrasts with the original 1960s structure (U of T Libraries – Robarts page).

Instagrammable libraries ranking

Social media lists (BuzzFeed, Travel + Leisure) often include Robarts, Harper Library, and the Library of Parliament. “Most beautiful” lists tend to favour historic or dramatically modern spaces. U of T’s library is more polarising—loved for its sheer scale and research resources, but not always for its looks.

Is U of T as good as Harvard?

In global university rankings, U of T regularly competes with the top US schools. In the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWL) and Times Higher Education, both institutions sit inside the top 20. However, comparing “goodness” is apples‑to‑oranges without a specific metric (Wikipedia – University of Toronto).

Academic rankings comparison

Harvard consistently holds #1 in many rankings; U of T is typically in the 15–25 range worldwide. In Canada, U of T is ranked first. The gap is narrower in subject‑specific rankings (e.g., computer science, medicine).

Library system comparison

Harvard Library holds about 20 million volumes to U of T’s 12 million. But U of T’s system is the third‑largest in North America by holdings, after Harvard and Yale (Wikipedia – University of Toronto Libraries). For digital materials, both offer extensive databases.

Research output

U of T produces more research publications per year than any other Canadian university, and in many fields it outpaces Harvard in volume. Both are members of the Association of American Universities (U of T is the only Canadian member) (Wikipedia – University of Toronto).

How to get a free Toronto library card?

The answer depends on which “Toronto library” you mean. For the University of Toronto Library, a free library card (TCard) is issued to current students, faculty, and staff. Non‑students can apply for library membership services, which may involve a fee but unlocks borrowing privileges (U of T Libraries – Membership services).

Eligibility for free card (U of T)

• Students: Free TCard upon registration
• Faculty/Staff: Free TCard
• Alumni: Eligible for a free alumni TCard (U of T Libraries – Borrow resources)
• Other visitors: Can purchase a community membership

Steps to get a card (U of T for students)

1. Enrol in a program at U of T.
2. Visit the TCard office with government‑issued ID.
3. Activate your TCard as a library card at any U of T Library circulation desk (U of T Libraries – Borrow resources).

Non‑resident options

If you are not a U of T student, the Toronto Public Library (TPL) offers free cards to City of Toronto residents. Non‑residents can buy a TPL card for an annual fee (Toronto Public Library – Your library card).

“The University of Toronto Libraries system is the largest academic library in Canada and is ranked third among peer institutions in North America.”

– Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)

“The library system supports students, alumni, faculty, and community members with spaces, services, and resources.”

– University of Toronto Libraries (official site)

The pattern is clear: U of T Libraries walk a careful line between serving their primary academic community and welcoming the public. For most Torontonians, the practical choice is to use TPL for everyday borrowing and visit Robarts for deep research or a quiet study spot. The university library remains an awe‑inspiring resource—open enough to be useful, exclusive enough to guard its core mission.

Frequently asked questions