Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) began as the Ryerson Institute of Technology in 1948, and was renamed Ryerson Institute of Technology in 1963. The core campus is at the heart of downtown Toronto, occupying the former site of St. James Square, where Egerton Ryerson founded the Ontario’s first teacher training institution, the Normal School, in 1847. The original Normal School building was replaced by the current Kerr Hall.

The Toronto Metropolitan University library building, located in north-east corner of Gould Street and Victoria Street, is also known as the Donald Mordell Learning Resources Centre in honor of former Ryerson President Donald Mordell, who retired on August 31^st in 1974, the year of the building officially opened. The building project was approved in 1968 and designed by architect Webb Zerafa Menkes in 1971, the same year Ryerson Polytechnic Institute gained degree-granting authority. Construction began in 1972 and was completed in 1974.

The Library building is an eleven-storey tower in the Brutalist architectural style that emerged in the mid-20th century. The concrete structure with simple geometric design is exposed as exterior materials. The HVAC system in its basement contains a network of pipes, coils, valves, filters, pumps and three chillers covering 1.5 square kilometres and servicing ten nearby buildings.

The Library building plays an important role in the university. In 1971, the library’s first collection development policy was created when the university received degree-granting authority. The Toronto Metropolitan University library is inseparable from the growth of the university because it has the educational mission to archive valuable historic documents, providing academic resources to students. The development of the library building satisfied the increasing academic need, and the Honourable Pauline McGibbon, Ontario's 22nd Lieutenant-Governor, officially opened Ryerson’s Learning Resources Centre on May 29th, 1974.

Two special collections, the Energy Center and the Third World Learning Resources Center, were established in 1977. The Toronto Metropolitan University library became the first library in North America to use the DOBIS/LIBIS on-line computer system operating its circulation in 1979. A 300-seat theatre and lecture hall in the lower ground floor holds many academic activities including classes, guest lectures, and continuing education events. The ground floor includes offices and a student lounge and ServiceHub, providing an open communication space for students.

The library’s main lobby is on the second floor, along with the book service center and computer learning lab. From this level, it connects to the new Student Learning Centre to the west, allowing access from Yonge Street. A corridor on the east side connects Kerr Hall, and its north side connects to the Podium Building. These connections make the Library Building a traffic hub within the complex.

The third floor includes classrooms, computer labs, and collaboratory areas, with access to the Student Learning Centre and Kerr Hall.

The fourth floor has the Archives' special collections, quiet study spaces, classrooms, and offices. Other floors above are open stacks and carrels providing academic resources and learning spaces. The Toronto Metropolitan University library building highlights the growth of the University, and is the focal area of the university community, connecting people from each department.

• Architect - Webb Zerafa Menkes  <-- More buildings by this architect.