The Great Library – A Love Letter To An Accessible, Modern Resource With A Remarkable History

The Great Library at the Law Society of Ontario ("LSO") is many things – a historically significant collection of rare books, an architectural masterpiece hidden in plain sight, and for those looking for an obscure (or not-so obscure but expensive) legal text, an absolute treasure trove. Law students study here, members of the public walk the stacks, any licensed lawyer or paralegal can access any document the library manages, and the knowledgeable staff will even help with research.

In a space that could easily feel like a beautiful but irrelevant relic, and with a collection that could have become an elite resource for a privileged few, the Great Library has elegantly bridged the space between ornament and function. It is a truly modern, accessible public resource.