The Research Hall will be closed from noon on February 3 for renovations. There will be no access to any documents or records. Full service will resume on Monday February 6
Please provide at least 48 hours notice. Appointments ensure the following services:
• Guaranteed access to the Research Hall.
• Most materials can be ordered and delivered in advance.
• Assistance and advice from archives staff before your visit.
Groups of four or more are required to book an appointment.
Service changes
From October 31, the Research Hall is undergoing renovations. Reference services have been temporarily relocated to the first floor Spadina Room. This is a smaller space and some services have reduced capacity.
Box Orders
- There is no change to this service. Researchers can still order five boxes at a time using our database.
Council Minutes
- Access to former City of Toronto and Metropolitan Toronto Council Minutes is not available during renovations. Researchers are advised to consider contacting the Toronto Reference Library who also hold a collection of Council Minutes. Access to the Minutes of other municipalities is still available.
Microfilm material
Self-service access to microfilm and fiche is not available during renovations. This includes City Directories, Building Permits and Tax Assessment Rolls. Alternative access to some material may be possible as follows:
- Tax Assessment Rolls
Most Tax Assessment Rolls are only available on microfilm or fiche. A limited retrieval service for this material will be provided.
- Building Permits
Former Toronto Building Permit application stubs between 1882 and 1926 are only available on microfilm. A limited retrieval service for this material will be provided.
Limited microfilm retrieval service
Staff are providing a limited retrieval service for microfilm/fiche. Researchers can order up to five films at a time. Film/fiche will be retrieved at the following times:
| A.M. |
P.M |
| 9:30 |
1:30 |
| 10:00 |
2:00 |
| 10:30 |
2:30 |
| 11:00 |
3:00 |
| 11:30 |
3:30 |
Records available
An overview of the Archives’ collection is found in What’s in the Archives.
The following records are unavailable at the Archives and may be available elsewhere:
Preparing for a visit
Prepare your research
- Determine your specific research subject and areas of interest.
- Search the online database to identify records of interest.
- Complete a records request form, if needed.
Requesting materials
- Request or identify the type of material you wish to see before an appointment.
- For appointments, box requests should be submitted at least 48 hours in advance.
- A maximum of five archival boxes can be ordered prior to the appointment. Additional material may be retrieved during the appointment.
Copying materials
- You may bring a phone or camera to copy materials and/or a USB stick to save material from microfiche and film.
- You may bring your own pencils and writing material. Pens are not permitted in the Research Hall.
- Photocopying services are not available.
Booking an appointment
Please provide at least 48 hours notice for the following daily time-slots:
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Research Hall is closed from noon – 1 p.m.
To book an appointment please contact us.
Once your request is received, Archives’ staff may contact you for further information. Most materials can be ordered within 48 hours. Oversized materials or materials with access conditions may take longer to retrieve.
