TORONTO – Mayor Olivia Chow hosted a Chinese media conference at Toronto Public Library (TPL) Bridlewood branch to share updates on TPL’s expanded Sunday service.
As of October 19, all 100 TPL branches are open on Sundays from 12-5 pm, except on holiday weekends. This includes 33 library branches that are open on Sundays for the first time ever, while 67 are extending their Sunday hours.
There has been strong community response to the first two weeks of TPL-wide Sunday service. More than 25,000 people visited TPL branches on Sunday, October 26 – the highest Sunday count in five years – following over 21,000 visitors the previous Sunday, October 19. The two dates also recorded the top Sunday in-branch circulation numbers over the same period, with nearly 19,000 checkouts and renewals each day. Compared to the same two-week period last year, TPL saw an average of 40% more visits and 57% more in-branch circulation on Sundays, demonstrating significant demand for expanded access.
“Libraries are free spaces for all people during this affordability crisis we’re in. I am making sure they are open every day to ease the burden for everyone”, said Mayor Chow. “It is encouraging to see Toronto residents’ enthusiastic response to Sunday openings. By doing so and moving toward full seven-day service in 2026, we’re ensuring our libraries are available when people need them most”.
Mayor Chow also highlighted the youth hubs, which have expanded to 31 locations in 2025. Open after school and in the summer, the hubs served 129,000 teens from January to August 2025, offering 2,330 programs to 17,700 participants.
“These hubs offer teens a safe, supportive environment. They represent a key investment in youth development and community safety”, said the Mayor.
“We’re thrilled to see more than 25,000 people walk through our doors on a Sunday. These initial visit and circulation numbers – which we anticipate will continue to increase as more people realize their library branch is now open on Sundays – confirm that Torontonians want and need Sunday library service,” said Jonathan Hoss, Vice Chair, Toronto Public Library Board. “Along with the entire Toronto Public Library Board, I am thrilled by this response from our community and remain committed to continuing our open hours plan to support the City of Toronto’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.”
Mayor Chow added, “Expanding free library services has been a priority for me as Mayor to build a more affordable, more caring and safer city. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity, especially at branches such as Agincourt, Bridlewood, Lillian H. Smith, Malvern, North York Central Library and Woodside Square. These are just some of the TPL branches that offer extensive Chinese-language collections.”
