Exciting news for Vaughan citizens about the New Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital Library. Renderings and floor plan of the beautiful new 4000 sq ft library coming to your neighbourhood are now available for your viewing!
View from Children’s Area facing east towards main entrance lobby
South view from main corridor towards library
Main entrance of library facing south towards Major Mackenzie Dr.
Reading Lounge facing north towards main corridor
Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital Library Floor Plan
Commitment to build an exceptional and lively city and providing exciting spaces for the future are just a few notable features of the recipients of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Federal Gas Tax Fund distinguished award. AMO award is presented annually to municipal governments that showcase excellence in the use of the Federal Gas Tax Fund. Tim Simmonds, Vaughan’s Interim City Manager, received the award at the annual AMO Conference in Ottawa on August 20 for Vaughan Public Libraries’ Civic Centre Resource Library (CCRL).
CCRL, an award-winning and LEED Silver Certified library, successfully “offers programs and resources in a modern public space, all while using less energy than traditional building models” Jamie McGarvey, AMO President. CCRL encompasses energy-efficient features including LED and motion sensor lighting, efficient mechanical and electrical systems, high-performance insulation and windows, drought tolerant landscaping, low-flow plumbing, roofing that reduces heat loss, refillable water stations, three-stream recycling services, low volatile organic compound sealants, adhesives, paints, and coatings and more! It is indeed an accomplishment when one infrastructure can make a difference in our community by addressing local needs, creating economic growth and achieving environmental outcomes.
We invite you to stop by CCRL to see this exceptional project that has redefined traditional expectations of libraries all while enjoying the variety of programs and resources we offer.
Stunning architecture, environmental stewardship, connections with local histories, and serving growing communities by providing exciting spaces are just a few notable aspects of the recipients of the 2019 Ontario Library Association (OLA) New Library Building Award.
Vaughan Public Libraries’ (VPL) Civic Centre Resource Library is one of the four recipients of the distinguished award, including Brampton Library, Hamilton Public Library, and Toronto Public Library- Albion Branch.
The OLA Library Building Award encourages and showcases excellence in the architectural design and planning of libraries in Ontario. The award is divided into two alternating categories (Library Architectural and Design Transformation, and New Library Buildings) and runs every third year to allow a critical number of projects in all types of libraries to accumulate.
“Newly-built libraries today reflect the strong desire for public places that instill a sense of community pride and are, at the same time, highly flexible and functional spaces,” comments Shelagh Paterson, executive director, OLA.
Civic Centre Resource Library, ZAS Architects + Interiors
From the jury: “An amazing architectural and geometric engineering achievement! A visually stunning façade that appears to change from transparent to solid as the daylight changes throughout the day. The library is built as a visionary makerspace that provides a much needed centre for community learning, gathering, creating and celebration. Through the innovative design process, ZAS Architects created impressively wide-open spaces that allow flexibility for library programming and that can be easily redefined without limitations. The result is a cultural destination that inspires creativity, provides a welcoming place to gather and interact, and that has attracted new users enriching community life in the rapidly growing City of Vaughan”.
Margie Singleton (Chief Executive Officer, Vaughan Public Libraries) and Paul Stevens (Senior Principal, ZAS Architects + Interiors) receive the OLA Building Award for the Civic Centre Resource Library, at OLA’s Annual Institute on the Library as Place event on July 10, 2019.
Watch VMC’s interactive virtual 360 tour, an emerging downtown poised to be the financial, innovation and cultural centre of Vaughan.
PROGRESS ON CONSTRUCTION WORK
The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library (VMC) and Storefront Library construction fit-out phase continues with great progress. This includes installation of many internal walls and partitions. Vaughan Public Libraries’ staff continue to meet regularly with project architects and discussions regarding signage, wayfinding and graphic design are ongoing. Substantial completion continues to be targeted for mid 2020 followed by the opening of the full facility.
View from west into children’s area
View from south into Storefront Library
Inside Storefront Library.
Book return installed!
Library entrance area. Elevators and staff workroom situated behind walls.
Quiet study area overlooking lobby.
Library view west towards children’s area.
BACKGROUND
Construction of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library (VMC) and Storefront location is progressing well. The 9,000 sq. ft. library located on the second floor of the office building features popular design elements found in all VPL libraries. These elements will include a marketplace featuring new and popular materials, quiet and group study, bright and open children’s area, mobile furniture on castors, and newest and self-service technologies. The 400 sq. ft. Storefront library will be located below the library directly at the street level. The Storefront library will be completely self-service, feature access to new and popular materials and will be accessible to users by scanning their library card.
LIBRARY INTERIORS
MJMA architectural firm has been retained by the project partners to design the interior spaces and finishes for the library, the City’s recreational space and the YMCA. VPL staff have worked closely with the architects since 2017 to complete the interior finishes ensuring the VPL Board’s vision for both spaces was incorporated as per the Board direction. At a recent meeting of the Vaughan Public Library Board, the architects presented the interior designs for both the Community library space and the Storefront library and solicited the Board’s feedback. Suggestions supplied by the Board have been incorporated and enabled the library construction to progress.
-The 9,000 sq. ft. Vaughan Metropolitan Library design
-Interior designs for the Community library space and Storefront library
Construction continues on the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library (VMC) and storefront locations in the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) office building in the city’s new downtown area.
The 400 sq. ft. storefront location will be located at the street level and will feature access to new and popular materials and will be accessible to users by swiping their library card. The 9,000 sq. ft. library will be located on the second floor of the building and will have access to a community kitchen enabling VPL to introduce a suite of culinary literacy programming once opened.
The PwC building which houses the two libraries.
The view from the southeast. The library is located on the second floor.
The storefront library at the east side of the building.
The northwest view towards the Children’s Area.
The view towards the west.
South view from the second floor.
Located in the PwC Tower of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC), Vaughan Public Libraries will have libraries on the first and second floors for your convenience.
The library at street level will be the first of its kind in Vaughan, a 350 sq. ft. self-service quick stop that will feature popular materials and bestsellers. The second-floor library will be full service with beloved VPL staff, tons of resources and your favourite VPL programming!
Below are current photos of the second floor library.
East view from the library’s Marketplace into the Children’s Area.
West view where adult books will be shelved and a study area will be.
The air at Bathurst Clark Resource Library is buzzing with excitement as VPL prepares the new Children’s Area and LEARN IT! Lab to open to the public.
Renovations began last summer, completing Phase One which included the painting and replacing all the carpet in the main public library space; additional comfy new chairs and study tables enlarging study space and increasing seating; the renovation of the main washrooms; and the creation of a program/meeting room and two exterior book return slots in front of the library.
Phase Two included the new Children’s Area, a space created specifically for children and their families where they will be able to enjoy hands-on literacy-rich experiences. The area also includes the LEARN IT! Lab, VPL’s digital creation and digital literacy space for kids. The project overall has increased space for public use by 3,000 square feet.
Design features of Phase Two:
• Programs and materials for children, including storytimes, book clubs and technology training
• Family reading area
• An abundance of technology including iPads on two technology bars, Early Literacy computers, Chromebooks, 3D printer, Cricut® (smart-tech cutting machine), and more
• Powered, circular children’s homework tables
• Comfortable, moveable seating and vibrant colours throughout this flexible usage of space
• New, large windows providing an abundance of natural light
• Decorative, Varia Ecoresin panels and a circular, Corian chrome-coloured pass-through add to the playful and welcoming atmosphere
• Children’s height self-checkout station
• Artistic, modern-style lighting
• Plenty of connectivity for charging devices
Phase Two also included the addition in the main library of a laptop kiosk and a universal washroom to accommodate a wheeled mobility device.
Decorative panels at north entrance of Children’s Area.
Circular pass-through.
Future Learn It! display and storage.
New furniture to be placed.
Circular ceiling lighting.
Facing east.
Early Literacy computers are set up.
Facing northwest.
Books are being shelved.
Storage space and a future spot for more computers.
The east entrance to the Children’s Area.
Join us on January 20 as Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) celebrates Bathurst Clark Resource Library’s 25th anniversary and the grand opening of the Library’s new Children’s Area and Learn It! Lab. The official welcome will take place from 10:30 to 11 a.m., followed by the opening of the new spaces.
The day will be filled with exciting activities for all ages including a special Family Storytime with Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, magic by X.Ray, puppet show by Applefun Puppetry, pop-up storytimes, book arts workshops and STEAM activities! Visit our website to see the schedule of the day.