An earlier proposal for this library was located on St. George Street between College and Russell, and won a Canadian Architect Award of Excellence in 1983.

This building won an Honourable Mention from the Ontario Association of Architects in 1997.

The property at 239 College Street has design value as an institutional building with features of the postmodern style of the late 20th century, which was identified by the exaggerated ornamentation borrowed from historical architecture that represented a reaction against the International style. With its distinctive geometrical detailing, metal roof and mixture of window shapes and sizes, the library is particularly distinguished by the detailing on the north elevation on College Street with the oversized round-arched entrance surround and the large cast-metal sculptures depicting winged mythological creatures.
Contextually, the property at 239 College Street is valued for its role in defining, supporting and maintaining the historical character of College Street, east of Spadina Avenue, which evolved from its origins as a residential district to one welcoming institutional and commercial buildings with scales and setbacks respecting those in place along the historical thoroughfare.
The building at 239 College Street is historically, visually and physically linked to its corner setting where in its scale and appearance it complements the adjoining TemplePattison Company Building (1913) at 243 College Street, as well as the institutional edifices on the University of Toronto’s St. George campus, opposite.

• Architect - Phillip H. Carter  <-- More buildings by this architect.