My local branch of the Toronto Public Library is closing for renovations this spring, and not expected to re-open until spring 2008! This is like some sort of nightmare.

Not that the building couldn’t use some renovation, but a whole year?! The Dufferin/St. Clair branch is the only library within short walking distance (i.e. under 10 minutes.) The next-closest, the Davenport branch, isn’t much further away, but it’s incredibly tiny, and thus not very welcoming or fun to hang out in. The best alternative is the Bloor/Gladstone branch, which is one of the four South Region district branch, so it’s quite large and nice, but it’s too far to stroll down casually for a 10-minute visit to drop off and pick up books whenever I feel like it. There’s also Lillian H. Smith, one of the other district branches, but although it’s nice, it’s not very cozy. It’s also down at my school, which is convenient on days when I have class, but not so good on weekends.

Of course, I can go to any branch I want whenever I want. The issue is where I’m going to send books when I put them on hold. Lillian H. Smith, I guess, since I’m guaranteed to be down there five days a week during the school year.

But still—I wish they could do the renovations a little faster.