The Toronto Reference Library is a public reference library in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The library is located on the corner of Yonge Street and Asquith Avenue, within the Yorkville neighbourhood of downtown Toronto. The Toronto Reference Library is the largest and most visited branch of Toronto Public Library (TPL). Established in 1909, the Toronto Reference Library initially operated from another building on College Street. In the late-1960s, management of the library was assumed by the Metropolitan Toronto Library Board. Believing the space in the original structure to be inadequate, Raymond Moriyama was tasked to find a new site, and was later commissioned by the library board to design a new library building for the site. The new building was opened to the public in 1977 as the Metropolitan Toronto Reference Library. The library continued to operate under that name until 1998, when it reverted to its original name. The building underwent renovations and expansion from 2009 to 2014. The library is the largest public reference library in Canada with an extensive collection of books, manuscripts, microfilm, and other items. Most items in its collection are designated for reference-use only, and the public is unable to borrow these items for use outside the library. In addition to providing access to its collection, the library also hosts a number of public reading events, as well as provide technical access and services to the public. History The earliest reference library opened in Toronto was the York Mechanics' Institute, opened to the public in 1830. Acting as a reference library and public resource, Mechanics' Institutes throughout the city served as predecessors to Toronto Public Library. TPL was established in 1884 within a former Mechanics' Institute building. During the late-19th century, TPL absorbed a number of Mechanics' Institutes Toronto, reorganizing them into public libraries. On 8 September 1909, TPL officially opened the Toronto Reference Library at a building on the northwest corner of College and St. George streets. The Beaux-Arts styled building was designed by Wickson & Gregg and Alfred H. Chapman. The building was the largest Carnegie-funded library built in Ontario. When the reference library first opened, its collection contained 97,788 books. In addition to the reference library, a TPL branch with a circulating collection was completed in the basement of the building in 1930, and was opened on 21 April. New building In 1967, the Metropolitan Toronto Library Board was established by the