General Spaces -
Accessible entrance
The library has a separate accessible entrance. Users press the doorbell and may have to identify themselves through the intercom before the door will open.
Note: In some areas, additional staff services may be required to access materials
More info:
Location
Left of the main entrance, under the blue canopy
Book stacks
Our collection includes over 750,000 books on all aspects of physical, life, and health sciences. Books are shelved by their call numbers.
Location
Basement floors, Morrison Pavilion:
- 1-below (call numbers A to QM)
- 2-below (call numbers QP to Z; Old Class Materials shelved after the Z call numbers)
- 3-below - Theses/dissertations (located at the end of the journal collection)
Computers and wifi
There are 109 computers available throughout the library. They are accessible to current U of T students, staff and faculty (UTORid login required).
Use our computer finder to view their availability in real time and exact locations in the building.
Includes:
- 108 workstations with internet, Microsoft Office, NVivo, Zoom, and updated accessibility software
- 13 seated and 14 standing computer workstations
- 1 catalogue-only computer
- 2 black & white printers
- 1 colour printer
Note:
Wifi access is available to current students, staff, and faculty throughout Gerstein. UTORid sign-in required. More instructions on how to configure wifi on your device.
Location
Main floor, lobby (by entrance)
Dept. of Computer Science Innovation Lab (DCSIL)
The Department of Computer Science Innovation Lab is one of University of Toronto's nine campus accelerators.
More info: About DCSIL
Location
Room 2360, 2nd floor, Morrison Pavilion
Gerstein Reading Room
Capacity: 94
Includes:
- Reference collection (encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks)
- Table space for 72
- Soft seating for 16
- 6 standing computer terminals
More info: History of the Heritage Reading Room
Location
Main floor
Information and Research Support
Information professionals are available for assistance with research:
- at the Loan Services Desk
- or by appointment with a librarian
Staff are available during the day and can also be contacted:
- by emailing ask.gerstein@utoronto.ca
- via chat
Location
Main floor, lobby
Instruction Lab
Capacity: 38 people
Includes:
- 19 PC workstations
- 1 presenter workstation
- 1 projector
- 1 microphone
- web conferencing available
Accessibility: Back row of workstations are accessible by wheelchair
Location
2nd floor, Morrison Pavilion
Journal stacks
We have approximately 3400 journal subscriptions, in both paper and electronic formats. Some titles date back to the 1700s.
The library also subscribes to thousands of e-journals which can be accessed online from on- and off-campus by those who have a University of Toronto staff or student affiliation.
Includes:
- Print journals from 1700s-current
- Individual seating and desks located at the end of selected shelves
Location
Heritage Wing:
- 5 floors (1975-current journals); accessible by elevator
Morrison Pavilion:
- 3-below, compact movable shelving (Pre-1975 journals)
La Taula Verde Café
La Taula Verde Café is a popular place to socialize. It has wifi so you can eat and work (or play).
- Offers vegan and vegetarian food and drinks
- Accepts Flex Dollars with UeaT meal plans
- Features TeaBot gourmet tea vending machine and other vending machines
- Two microwaves available
- ATM at entrance
For current hours, visit U of T Food Services.
Note: Food is not permitted in any other areas of the library
Location
1-below, outer lobby (by main entrance)
MADLab
Capacity: 30
Includes:
- 2 MacBook pro laptops with Xcode
- 4 3D printers (MakerBot Sketch and MakerBot Sketch Large printers)
- 2 workstations with mobile SDKs and design software
- Test devices for iOS and Android
- Digital projector and whiteboards
- 2 conference/breakout rooms
- Hardware samples
- Equipment Locker
- Virtual Reality Studio (with HTC Vive)
- Refrigerator, coffee machine, microwave
More info:
Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM – 5PM, by appointment (contact mad.lab@utoronto.ca).
Open to all U of T students, staff, and faculty
Location
1 Below, Heritage Wing
- Room B112 (south end)
Morrison Pavilion
Capacity: 5 floors with 650 study spaces
Collections: Books by floor
- 1 Below - books shelved by call numbers A-QM
- 2 Below - books shelved by call numbers QP-Z; Old Class materials (located after the Z books)
- 3 Below - Theses/dissertations (located at the end of the journal collection)
Accessibility: Some book stacks are not accessible by wheelchair. Our accessibility page has more information.
More info: The history of the Morrison Pavilion
Location
North-east wing spanning all floors:
- 2nd floor
- Main floor
- 1 Below
- 2 Below
- 3 Below
Phone-friendly
Phone use is permitted in the stairwell leading to the second floor from the Heritage Reading Room, and the stairwell leading down to the MADLab near the entrance to the Journal Stacks, as well as outside the security gates inside the main doors of the library.
Note: Phone use is not permitted in study rooms, quiet study areas, stacks and other non-designated areas.
Location
- Stairwell to Heritage Wing second floor
- Stairwell to 1 Below
- Stairwell outside security gates of the library
- La Taula Verde Cafe
Reference collection
Our reference books include encyclopedias, dictonaries, and handbooks.
These items are not available to borrow, but may be used for in-library consultation.
Location
Main floor, Heritage Reading Room
Reflection Room
Capacity: max. 8 people
A multipurpose and multifaith space for meditation, mindfulness, prayer, and yoga.
Includes:
-
Floor cushions, yoga mats, shoe rack
More info and guidelines:
Location
1 Below (Room B171)
Short Term Loan Desk
Borrow books in heavy demand or reserved by request of the professor for a particular class
Borrow:
- Course reserves & short term loans
- Phone chargers, laptop chargers, and headphones
Includes:
- Tables and chairs for individual study
- 1 book scanner
Note:
Loan times vary from a number of hours to a number of days, based on the item.
Location
Main floor lobby, adjacent to Loan Services Desk
The Gerstein Book Stop Leisure Collection
A leisure reading collection available for students and staff at the University of Toronto
Capacity: Soft seating for 4
Includes: Non-academic books available to read in-library or to borrow for home
More info: About the Gerstein Book Stop
Location
Main floor, Lobby
Wallace Room
Capacity: 206
Includes:
- 48 study carrels
- 3 extra-long reading tables (accommodating 84 people)
- 2 large standing tables (accommodating 20 people)
- 46 computer workstations with chairs
- 4 standing computer workstations
- 4 club chairs
- Black and white printer
This room is a Remote Zone:
Students are welcome to join online classes while on campus, from this room, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location
Main floor, north of lobby
Washrooms
Washrooms are available on selected floors.
Location
- Main floor
- 2nd floor
- 1-below
Accessible & all-gender washrooms:
- Main floor (near room 1230)
- 1-below (near accessible entrance)
- 2nd floor (near Department of Computer Science Innovation Lab - DCSIL)