Maple Library Renovation Project

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BACKGROUND

Monteith Brown Planning Consultants were hired to conduct the Maple Library Special Area Study and re-examine the need and role of Maple Library after the opening of CCRL Civic Centre Resource Library (CCRL) opened in May, 2016. Keep reading to find out what the analysis were!

MAPLE LIBRARY SPECIAL AREA STUDY SUMMARY

The Special Area Study took into considerations many different factors affecting the use of the branch including current demographics, future projections, industry trends, library usage and community feedback. The study collected stakeholder feedback via community survey and series of library user focus groups.

Monteith Brown Planning Consultants found that despite its proximity to CCRL, Maple Library serves a special and unique purpose for the community. We heard from you how co-location to the community centre is of high priority. 66% of survey respondents also indicated no change in their use of Maple Library since the opening of CCRL. Top three things that respondents valued most about Maple Library are: location (68%), staff/service (50%), and convenience of co-location with the Maple Community Centre (48%).

Based on assessment and feedback collected, the consultant’s recommendation for Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) was to continue to operate Maple Library.  The study recommended reducing the library’s current footprint of 13,000 sq. ft to a smaller size library of 7,500-8,500 sq. ft and to align the re-imagined library to VPL’s current facility service model. The study also suggested to improve library entrance, aesthetic  improvements, comfort, enhanced children and study areas, as well as seamless technology and integrated accessibility features.

PROCESS

ATA Architects Inc. have been contracted to oversee planning and design for Maple Library face-lift! Check out the Maple Library renovation video and design concepts below

Floor Plan Concept

Main entrance to library

Marketplace

Children’s Area

Service Desk

Study Area – view south

Study Area – view north

Quiet Study Room

Inside Quiet Study Room

View of Reading Garden from Quiet Study Room

Reading Garden Access

Reading Garden

The Electronic Message Centre at Civic Centre Resource Library is here!

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External signage for Civic Centre Resource Library has begun! The approximately ten foot high pylon with electronic message centre in front of Civic Centre Resource Library on Major Mackenzie Drive has already been installed and will be operational soon. If you are driving by, you won’t miss it!

Also, watch out for more external signage coming next.

~10 foot high pylon with electronic message centre in front of Civic Centre Resource Library on Major Mackenzie Drive.

Different view of the Electronic Message Centre

Inclusive Spaces for All- Rick Hansen Foundation Certification (GOLD)

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Attention to Accessibility has always been at the heart of what we do. We are proud to share that Civic Centre Resource and Pleasant Ridge Library have received GOLD CERTIFICATION from the Rick Hansen Foundation in recognition for accessible design and facilities.

“Vaughan Public Libraries is happy to be a contributor to the City of Vaughan’s mission to creating fully accessible communities”, said Rose Savage, Chair of the Vaughan Public Library Board. “Our library branches are a place for those of all abilities, languages, ages and skill levels. We take pride in providing inclusive resources for everyone to enjoy when they enter a Vaughan library – whether it is for learning, reading or participating in our many programs”

We are pleased to receive the following message from Brad McCannell, VP, Access and Inclusion, Rich Hansen Foundation: “Congratulations to the City of Vaughan and Vaughan Public Libraries on achieving RHF Accessibility Certified Gold for three locations. Their leadership shows other municipalities across the country the advantages of developing inclusive spaces where people of all abilities can fully participate where we live, work, learn and play.”

What’s happening at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library & VMC Library Express?

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PROGRESS UPDATE

Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Library and VMC Library Express are coming to you very soon! 90% of the drywall work has been completed in both library areas and most walls and ceilings have been painted. The lighting installation is also 50% complete with the large continuous fixtures installed at the Children’s area and in the main library area.

In the next few weeks, ceiling and interior glazing wall installation are scheduled to begin. The interior and exterior signage installation are also in the works.

Substantial completion continues to be set for mid-July. Soft opening is targeted for August and the official opening end of September.

First library lights have been installed. Ceiling preparation for the wood ceiling installation has been completed.

View from Children’s Area east towards the Marketplace

Stairwell from main lobby to second level library and third level CoV’s space.

Quite Study Area visible from downstairs lobby

 

 

Announcing Names of the Two New Libraries

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The Vaughan Public Library Board is proud to announce the official names of the new upcoming libraries located in the Pricewaterhouse Coopers Tower in the city’s new downtown area.
The 9000 sq ft main library has been named VMC (Vaughan Metropolitan Centre) Library and the 400 sq ft storefront as VMC Library Express.

Watch out for more details as we approach the openings of these two new libraries!

A New Concrete Walkway At The Civic Centre Resource Library

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Have you seen the new concrete walkway at Civic Centre Resource Library? More accessible pathway into the library from the parking lot.

walk

External Signage Coming Soon at Civic Centre Resource Library

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External signage for Civic Centre Resource Library coming in 2020! Through a competitive bidding process, Vaughan Public Libraries has engaged Steel Art Signs to install external signage and a fourteen foot high pylon with electronic message centre in front of Civic Centre Resource Library on Major Mackenzie Drive.

Fourteen f00t high pylon with electronic message centre in front of Civic Centre Resource Library on Major Mackenzie Drive.

Halo-illuminated 36″ reverse channel letters to easily see the Library from a distance.

Preview of Library signage placement.

 

 

We Asked You to Pick a Seat!

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Vaughan Public Libraries is preparing to open new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Libraries in Summer 2020! Interior work is progressing well and procurement of shelving, mill work and furniture is also being coordinated simultaneously.

While some furniture will be replicated from our other libraries, including study tables, study chairs and merchandising furniture; other furniture including lounge seating will be selected through the chair survey results completed last year.

We are pleased to announce we have received 551 survey results which are being reviewed. Thank you to all customers who stopped by to test out the eight unique lounge chairs that were displayed at Civic Centre Resource Library form November 18, 2019 to December 13, 2019. We were so thrilled to see the interest and involvement Vaughan Community showed in testing out the lounge chairs. Your feedback is crucial in helping us decide what lounge chairs VMC will have. 

Some of the Lounge Chair Options for VMC Libraries

Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Storefront Library Interior Design

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BACKGROUND

Construction of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) and Storefront Library is progressing well. Check out sneak peak of the interior design work that the architectural firm, MJMA, will soon begin in the library spaces. 

VMC and Storefront Library Floor Plan

Storefront Library Precedent

Storefront Library Precedent

Storefront Library Precedent

Storefront Library- Concept Diagram

Storefront Library Perspective

Storefront Library- Interior Views

VMC Library – Second Floor – Plan

VMC Library Front Desk

VMC Library Colored Fins Sequence

VMC Second Floor and Storefront Library Concept Elevation/Section

VMC Library -Children Area Floor Plan

VMC Library- Children Area

While some furniture at VMC and Storefront Library will be replicated with ones from existing libraries, other furniture like the lounge seating will be selected with your feedback. Arrangements have been made to make sample of these chairs available for you from November 18 to December 13 at Civic Centre Resource Library. We hope you will try out the chairs and share your input with us! 

Project Update – Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library

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PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION WORKBACKGROUND

Construction continues at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Storefront Library. Staff had an opportunity to visit the site and observe progress made to date.  Plumbing, electrical and mechanical activities are all underway. Landscaping work around the building has been completed and construction fit-out phase continues. The anticipated substantial completion is targeted for Summer 2020, with the opening of the facility to follow about a month later.

North-west view of PwC tower

Main entrance to the tower located steps away from the bus terminal.

East-west promenade  shared space between project partners.

View into the community kitchen space to be operated by VPL.

View into the second story library from what will be the entrance to the Library.

Gold band along the south façade of the Library’s Marketplace area.

West view from the Marketplace into the Children’s area.

View into staff workroom

View into quite study space