The two met as teenagers with no plans to become librarians. John was inspired by a dorm mate at Trent University who aspired to the profession; he began U of T's two-year Master of Library Science program in 1971, and Etobicoke Public Library offered him a full-time job during his final year of studies. Elizabeth started library school a year behind him.
Etobicoke hired them both but wouldn't let them work in the same branch. They spent roughly 25 years mainly in reference in larger Etobicoke branches; after the 1998 municipal amalgamation, John worked briefly in Scarborough and Elizabeth in midtown Toronto.
In retirement they volunteer with Ex Libris and staff its booth at the OLA Super Conference. John's monthly donations were inspired by his late mother's notebook of the charities she supported — a habit of giving that, like the marriage itself, has simply continued.
Reported from The parallel lives of an alumni couple: John and Elizabeth Warrener, by Not stated (originally published by the Faculty of Information) (U of T Alumni News, May 29, 2026).
More from the original reporting: alumni.utoronto.ca/news/parallel-lives-alumni-couple-john-and-elizabeth-warrener