About Caven Library

The Caven Library is named after William Caven, Professor of Biblical Exegesis in 1866 and Principal of the College from 1873 to 1904. The Library dates from 1844 when the College was founded and since then has grown to over 80,000 volumes. The Library subscribes to over 200 journals and provides access to a wide-range of electronic resources available from the Library’s Reading Room computers.

The Library's main collection is housed over three floors of stacks while the spacious Reading Room contains the Reference Collection and provides study space for approximately 60 users. The Library also has a sizable Old Class Collection consisting of pre-1969 publications, and a 5,000 volume Rare Books Collection, most of which is housed in the Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto.

The Library's collections emphasize Biblical Studies, Reformed History and Theology, Presbyterianism, in particular The Presbyterian Church in Canada, as well as pastoral practice and materials relating to women and the Church. Detailed information is contained under Library Resources.

Caven Library is one of the more than 30 libraries that make up the University of Toronto Library System, the largest academic library in Canada and ranked among the highest research libraries in North America.

Caven Library is also one of seven member libraries of the Toronto School of Theology, a consortium of theological colleges federated with the University of Toronto. See TST Libraries website for further information.