Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

How to Access

The resources of the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library may be used by all scholars and researchers, whether or not they are members of the University of Toronto community. A University of Toronto Library card is not necessary to access the collections, but onsite registration is required. A Fisher reader's card must be completed and identification with name and current address (e.g. driver's licence, hospital card, etc.) will be requested. The Fisher's material, apart from the reference collection which is available on open shelves in the Reading Room and reference area, is comprised of non-circulating, closed-stack collections, which means that the material needed will always be available for use. Most of the material in the Fisher Library is housed onsite - the only exception is some modern Canadian literature, which can be requested and retrieved within 48 hours for use in the Fisher reading room. Readers may submit retrieval requests in person at the Library, or in advance by using our online Reading Room Request Form. You can also request directly from the catalogue - click here for detailed instructions. Some manuscript material is restricted at the request of the writer or donor.