community library | Building Projects

Maple Library Renovation Project Update

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Denise | Tagged community library, Library renovation, Maple Library

Construction activities at the Maple Library Community Centre are progressing. Activities include ceiling installation, wall finish and painting, glazing installation in the quiet study area, carpet, decorative film installation, and many activities associated with the outdoor reading garden. In the next couple of weeks, construction will include the installation of an outstanding ceiling grid, ceiling tiles, baffle installation, and glass installation in the quiet study area. Front foyer work will commence with replacing floor tiles and the leadership structure installation.

Children’s Area – Glass installation completed

Outdoor Reading Garden – Support posts for the shade structure

Sound baffles on-site awaiting installation

Carpet tile on-site awaiting installation

Carville-Block 11 Library is in the Works

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Denise | Tagged block 11, building projects, building update, carrville library, city of vaughan, community library, construction, new library, open to the public

A new library, community centre, and district park is coming to you, located between Dufferin and Bathurst streets near Major Mackenzie Drive (Carvville/Block 11). A multi-use community hub that will combine spaces for play, learning, fitness and sports.

BACKGROUND

The 2013 Active Together Master Plan (ATMP), an integrated long-term strategy that guides planning for parks, recreation, culture and library facilities, suggested a new neighbourhood size library for Block 11 residents. The 2018 Update to ATPM suggested that the new library be collocated within a new community centre and district park.

PROCESS

Perkins+Will Architects were hired in 2017 as the Functional Program Consultants for the Carrville Community Centre, Library and District Park project. The functional programming phase work to ensure that Vaughan Public Libraries’ and City of Vaughan’s requirements for the new facilities are integrated into the early design concepts and that the physical site and environmental conditions could support such requirements.

Perkins+Will Architects have been retained as the Detail Design Consultants for the Carrville Community Centre, Library and District Park project and have begun detailed design work for this new facility.

Site Plan

Exterior Perspective

Library + East Entry Porch

Library Design Drivers

Pool, Pool viewing and South Entry

Maple Library Renovation Project

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, community library, construction, Maple Library, vaughan public libraries

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

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

Posted on May 26, 2020 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, city of vaughan, Civic Centre Resource Library, community library, construction, new library, open to the public

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.”

Announcing Names of the Two New Libraries

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, city of vaughan, community library, construction, new, new library, open to the public, PwC Tower, vaughan, vaughan metropolitan centre, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library, VMC, welcoming atmosphere

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!

Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Storefront Library Interior Design

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, city of vaughan, community library, new, new furniture, new library, PwC Tower, vaughan, vaughan metropolitan centre, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library, vaughan public libraries, VMC, welcoming atmosphere, windows

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

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, community library, construction, new, new furniture, new library, open to the public, PwC Tower, vaughan, vaughan metropolitan centre, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library, vaughan public libraries, VMC, welcoming atmosphere, windows

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

It’s Springtime: Vaughan Public Libraries Outdoor Spaces Are Open!

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Denise | Tagged Civic Centre Resource Library, community library, decor, kleinburg library, open to the public, outdoors, Pleasant Ridge Library, vaughan, vaughan public libraries, welcoming atmosphere, windows

It’s undeniable: Spring is in the air and everyone is yearning to be outside. Vaughan Public Libraries has several beautiful reading gardens that are now open for you to use and enjoy.

As the days get warmer, what could be more perfect than reading outdoors? Come by to enjoy our outdoor spaces where you can enjoy comfortable seating, nice views, and some fresh air. Sit back and read a book or maybe even write one! Feel free to take out magazines or newspapers from our collection and stay up-to-date while relishing the breeze. And, of course, also enjoy access to our free Wi-Fi connection on your devices. Consider the outdoor spaces an additional library space for your use and pleasure.

Young customer enjoying outdoor reading in Kleinburg Library’s reading garden.

Comfortable seating and picturesque views in the Civic Centre Resource Library (CCRL) reading garden.

CCRL’s second floor beautiful outdoor patio that is full of natural light.

CCRL’s second floor beautiful patio

Beautiful exterior reading garden at Pleasant Ridge Library

Seniors practicing their square dancing in the Pleasant Ridge Library reading garden.

Vellore Village Library’s large outdoor balcony overlooking skate park

Project Update – Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library

Posted on April 29, 2019 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, city of vaughan, community library, construction, new, new library, storefront library, vaughan, vaughan metropolitan centre, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library, vaughan public libraries, VMC

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

VMC Libraries Update: March 28

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, city of vaughan, community library, construction, new, new library, PwC Tower, vaughan, vaughan metropolitan centre, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library, vaughan public libraries, VMC

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.