Experiences in developing and maintaining the Virtual Reference Library at Toronto Public Library

The Virtual Reference Library (VRL) is a web‐based reference and research library produced by the Toronto Public Library, in the province of Ontario, Canada and is primarily aimed at people living in the province. The VRL has been created with funding support from the Ontario and Canadian governments, and partners and sponsors in the private sector. Production began in April 1998 and the first phase went live in May 1999. The focus of this paper is a description of the development and maintenance of the VRL.