Princess Margaret Patient & Family Library

​​​​About the Princess Margaret Patient & Family Library

Patient & Family Library and COVID-19 Safety

The Patient & Family Library is now open for in-person services Monday to Friday, from 9:00am-4:00pm. Before your visit, please review COVID-19 Information at UHN and read the important information below:

• Masks Required. Wear your mask at all times while visiting the Patient & Family Library.
• Physical Distance. Keep a distance of 6 feet or 2 meters from others at all times. Follow the markings on the floor to keep your distance from others.
• Cleaning and Sanitizing. Hand sanitizers are available at the entrance and exit. Please wash or sanitize your hands before and after touching all library materials.
• Food and Drink. Food and drink are not allowed inside the Patient & Family Library.
• Digital Health Resources. If you are not able to visit the Library in person, there is an extensive collection of digital health resources. You can access online articles, e-books, apps, podcasts and more. For more information, call 416 946 4501 ext. 5383 or email patienteducation@uhn.ca​.

Hours, Contact & Location

The Library space is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ​During this time, you have access to all UHN health brochures.​

Library staff hours are Monday to Friday,
​9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Phone:
416 946 4501 ext. 5383

Email:
​ patienteducation@uhn.ca

Mailing Address:
Princess Margaret Patient & Family Library
610 University Avenue, Main Floor (Room M-502)
Toronto, ON M5G 2M9

What You Can Do in the Library

In the library, you can:

• Learn about health-related events and resources in your community.
  
• Borrow an iPad through the iPad Lending Program to access health information or stay in touch with friends and family members while you or your family member are in the hospital.
  
• Borrow a book, video, DVD, audiobook or CD from the health library collection.
  
• Get instant access to free health eBooks. Call the library at 416 9​46 4501 ext. 5383 for more information.
  
• Use the library computers.
  
• Get help with your questions. Trained staff and volunteers can help you find information and resources at the hospital. You can also use the Virtual Librarian service to ask for information online.
• Enjoy the library's comfortable seating area to read and take notes on the i​nformation in the library or just to sit and relax.

How to Borrow from the Library

Anyone is welcome to borrow our books, videos or CDs. The first time you borrow, you will need to fill out a registration form and show valid identification, such as a Driver’s License, Passport, OHIP card, other provincial health card, or another form of government-issued photo ID. Once you register with us, you may borrow from any of the UHN Patient & Family Libraries.

The Library has materials in many different languages, including English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Vietnamese. You can also request information in other languages. Learn about language services at UHN »

iPad Lending Program: If you or your family member would like to borrow an iPad while waiting for appointments, you can call 416 946 4501 ext. 4558 or visit the Information Desks on the main floor of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

How long can I keep the Library materials?

If you borrow an iPad, you will need to return it before leaving the hospital.

For all other materials:

• You may have up to 3 items checked out from our library at one time
• You may borrow an item for 3 weeks
• You may contact us to renew an item 1 time, for 3 more weeks from your original due date

If You Need Help Searching for Specific Health Information

If you can’t find what you are looking for in the library collection, you can request health information that is specific to your needs from the Patient & Family Library. There are many ways to ask for health information about certain topics.

• Connect with the Virtual Librarian: Email the Princess Margaret librarian at  patienteducation@uhn.ca or call 416 946 4501 ext. 5383 from Monday to Friday, 9:0​0am-4:00pm. You can leave a message and the librarian will respond within 24 hours.
• Send in a Search Request:  Download the search request form [PDF], fill it out at home and then email it to the librarian at  patienteducation@uhn.ca. You can also get a copy of the search request form at the Patient & Family Library and fill it out for the librarian when you are at the hospital. 

The librarian will search for information for you. You can choose to have your information package sent to you by post or by email, or you can pick it up in person at the Patient & Family Library. Common information topics include: