new library | Building Projects

Vellore Village Library Recognized in American Libraries’ 2019 Library Design Showcase

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Denise | Tagged awards, new library, open to the public, recognized, vaughan, vaughan public libraries, Vellore Village Library, Vellore Village South Library, welcoming atmosphere, windows, winners

Once again, one of Vaughan Public Libraries’ locations was recognized for its exceptional and innovative architecture! Vellore Village Library, our tenth and newest branch, was featured in the American Libraries’ 2019 Library Design Showcase as one of 13 top libraries in the United States and Canada. The library was recognized for its visionary and interesting infrastructure that provides exciting spaces to address library user needs for community learning, gathering and creating.

A mix of public, academic, school and special libraries that were completed between May 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019 were recognized for the 2019 Library Designs. The highlighted projects are available to view in the American Libraries September/October magazine’s issue.

Vellore Village Library Exterior

Vellore Village Library beautiful interior architect

Vellore Village Library outdoor sitting patio

Reading spaces filled with abundant natural light with various seating options

Library Forthcoming in the New Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Denise | Tagged construction, Construction undergoing inside the library at Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, Hospital library, new, new furniture, new library, open to the public, vaughan, vaughan public libraries, welcoming atmosphere, windows

Early in 2017, Mackenzie Health (MH) and Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) began an innovative collaboration of a proposed shared facility rooted in a shared vision of library space and services at the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital (MVH).

This shared vision was to:

Co-design an exceptional public library at MVH that will serve as a welcoming destination for hospital patients, families, staff, physicians, volunteers and the greater Vaughan community.
Offer public library services at MVH that will connect and inspire all.

Guided by this vision and design work, the project with our partners began. The project is well underway with an anticipated opening of the new 4000 sq ft. Hospital Library in December 2020.

Margie Singleton (CEO) and Aleksandra Dowiat-Vine (Director of Growth & Communications) visit Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital Library, which will be located at the main entrance of Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital on Major Mackenzie Road

Future Service Desk area

Library view from Hospital Lobby on main level

View into library marketplace and sitting area from library’s main entrance

View inside library’s stacks area

Civic Centre Resource Library Wins the 2019 OLA New Library Building Award

Posted on July 11, 2019 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, civic centre, Civic Centre Resource Library, new furniture, new library, open to the public, resource library, tree, vaughan, vaughan public libraries, welcoming atmosphere, windows

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.

Vaughan Metropolitan Centre 360 Degree Virtual Tour

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, city of vaughan, construction, new, new library, open to the public, PwC Tower, vaughan, vaughan metropolitan centre, VMC

Explore Vaughan’s vibrant, modern urban centre for residents and businesses through this interactive 360 Degree Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) video tour. You will catch a glimpse of the building’s inspiring multi-use office towers, upcoming VMC Library and Storefront Library, subway access, open green space, urban squares, pedestrian shopping areas and restaurants, and walking and cycling paths.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmOdyAfL2pk&t=28s

Watch VMC’s interactive virtual 360 tour, an emerging downtown poised to be the financial, innovation and cultural centre of Vaughan.

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.

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.

VMC Construction Update: Quick peek at the second floor library

Posted on February 8, 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

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.

Construction continues on the libraries at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre

Posted on December 11, 2018 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 steadily continues on the new libraries at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC). The libraries, on the first and second floors of the PwC Tower, are anticipated completion date is targeted for late Fall 2019.

The foyer of the PwC Tower.

The first floor library.

The Children’s Area of the second floor library.

View from the upper floor.

The red ribbon has been cut; Vellore Village Library is officially open!

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Denise | Tagged city of vaughan, community library, new library, vaughan, vaughan public libraries, Vellore Village Library, welcoming atmosphere

It was a beautiful, sunny day to officially open the Vellore Village Library on September 22. Thanks to all of those who joined in the celebration!

Vaughan Public Library Board Chair, Devender Sandhu, engaging the crowd.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony (left to right): Aleksandra Dowiat Vine, VPL Director of Growth & Communications; Andrew Gortat, Principal Architect at ZAS Architects + Interiors; Devender Sandhu, Vaughan Public Library Board Chair; Margie Singleton, VPL Chief Executive Officer; Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua; Ward 3 Councillor and VPL Board Trustee Rosanna DeFrancesca; John Appugliesi, President and CEO of Jasper Construction Company and Lisa McDonough, VPL Director of Customer Experience.

City of Vaughan Mayor and Members of Council with the Vaughan Public Library Board.

STEAM activities enjoyed by all.

Music entertainment by Sonshine & Broccoli.

For more highlights from the day, visit VPL’s Facebook page or view our video on YouTube.

September 22, 2018: Grand Opening Celebration of Vellore Village Library!

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Denise | Tagged building projects, city of vaughan, community library, Grand Opening Celebration, new, new library, open to the public, vaughan, vaughan public libraries

Join us on Saturday, September 22 for Vaughan Public Libraries’ (VPL) Grand Opening Celebration of its tenth location, the Vellore Village Library at 1 Villa Royale Avenue, attached to the Vellore Village Community Centre. The official ceremony and ribbon cutting begins at 9:30 a.m.

A fun-filled day is planned with family entertainment, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., including singing duo Sonshine & Broccoli, Magic by X.Ray family storytime, STEAM activities, refreshments, and a visit with Scaredy Squirrel. Click here for a schedule of events.

Special thanks goes to our Grand Opening Celebration sponsor, COBS Bread.