The New York Public Library

Earlier this year I spent a few days in New York, and the first place I went after checking into my hostel was the Stephen A. Schwarzman  building at the New York Public Library. Located at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street, the branch of the New York Public Library opened in 1911. The lion statues guarding the building are calling Patience and Fortitude. The building is beautiful architecturally and was featured in movies like Ghostbusters and Sex and the City. 

The library also features special exhibits, including the original stuffed animals owned by Christopher Robin Milne, which inspired the Winnie the Pooh books. Pictured above is The Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, and below is a reading room. This is certainly a library you could get lost in, with a massive selection and beautiful architecture. While it's definitely not an obvious choice if you're in New York City, it's free, beautiful and near Times Square. 

Little Free Library, Toronto

A month or so ago I read this article in the Toronto Star about a Little Free Library in the Beaches. These Little Libraries have been sweeping the internet lately, and the idea began in Hudson, Wiscousin. The first Little Library was built in memory of school teacher June A. Bol, and the idea soon caught on. These libraries rely on the honour system, and ask you to leave a book and take another.

The project began in 2009 and there are now Little Free Libraries throughout the United States (with the most in Wisconsin), and in Canada, Germany, Ghana and the U.K. Anyone can have their own Little Library, either by purchasing one online, or by making your own. You can read more about the project (and find out if there's a library near you) here. 

The Little Library in Toronto was created by Bill Wrigley and is modelled after the nearby Beaches Public Library. It is the first Little Library in Toronto and you can find it on Lee Avenue. Unfortunately, my pictures didn't capture how beautiful this Little Library really is. It holds approximately two dozen books. I exchanged my copy of Around the World in 80 Days for Girl in Days for Lost in Translation by Jean Kwok. 

The Arthur Conan Doyle Room in the Toronto Reference Library

Back in May I went to see the Toronto Reference Library's Arthur Conan Doyle Collection.  I actually had no idea that this was in Toronto until I saw it on tumblr in December or so. The collection features  Doyle's books in many editions, as well as Sherlock Holmes parodies, comics, abridged versions, film adaptations and books about Doyle and his novels. The room pays homage to Doyle's most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes. Set up to look like 221B Baker Street, the room features Holmes memorabilia, and items such as deer hats and violin cases. 

The room is on the 5th floor of the Toronto Reference Library, at 789 Yonge Street. It is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4pm or by appointment. If you go, I'd recommend going downstairs to the library's book shop, Book Ends, which is also open at that time. I've bought some really good books there for very cheap. Other than specially priced books, no single item is over one dollar. 

The collection had so many cool books and collectables, and I think any fan of Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes would love it. So, thus ends another tale of fun times at the library.