The Toronto Public Library 's new event centre—set to open in the Toronto Reference Library in the fall of 2009—will be available for bookings in September. "As part of our culture program and city engagement we did want to create a large venue for our own use," said Linda Mackenzie, the library's director of research and reference libraries, who noted that the facility will also be available to the community. "There's not a lot of space in the Bloor and Yonge area."
The 5,000-square-foot space will be located on the second floor with views overlooking the Rosedale Valley. The event centre will be equipped with video and Web conferencing and a full-service catering kitchen. Glass walls will divide the venue into three areas, including a primary event space, a lobby, and a smaller function room. The primary space will hold 460 for lectures and 360 for seated dinners. The event centre will also have two outdoor patios. The venue is part of an ongoing renovation project designed to expand the library's exhibition gallery and research space.
