new furniture | Building Projects

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

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, new, new furniture, new library, PwC Tower, vaughan, vaughan metropolitan centre, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library, vaughan public libraries, VMC

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

We Asked You to Pick a Seat!

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, city of vaughan, new, new furniture, new library, PwC Tower, vaughan, vaughan metropolitan centre, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Library, vaughan public libraries

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

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!

New Furniture at Pierre Berton Resource Library

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Denise | Tagged new, new furniture, open to the public, PBRL, Pierre Berton Resource Library, vaughan public libraries, welcoming atmosphere

Have you seen the new furniture at Pierre Berton Resource Library? Stop by and enjoy the comfortable and cozy new seating all around the library!

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

New Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital Library Renderings and Floor Plan

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, city of vaughan, Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital Library, new, new furniture, new library, open to the public, vaughan public libraries, welcoming atmosphere

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

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.

Officially Open: The New Children’s Area and Learn It! Lab

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Denise | Tagged bathurst clark resource library, building update, city of vaughan, decor, Learn It Lab, new, new furniture, open to the public, renovations, resource library, Thornhill, vaughan, vaughan public libraries, welcoming atmosphere, windows

The snow didn’t stop the celebration on January 20 as we officially opened the new Children’s Area and Learn It! Lab at Bathurst Clark Resource Library. Thanks to all of those who joined in the celebration!

Looking through the new pass-through with Peter Kent, MP; Minister Michael Tibollo, Vaughan-Woodbridge MPP; Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua; VPL CEO, Margie Singleton and VPL Board Chair, Dr. Devender Sandhu.

Looking through the new pass-through with Peter Kent, MP; Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, Michael Tibollo; Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua; VPL CEO, Margie Singleton and VPL Board Chair, Dr. Devender Sandhu.

Mayor, Members of Council, Vaughan Library Board, VPL Executive Management Team with the project's architect and construction representatives.

Front row (left to right): VPL Board Trustees, Loreta Pavese, Ralph Cinelli, Vice-Chair Rose Savage, Board Chair Dr. Devender Sandhu, Maya Goldenberg, Palma Pallante and Gary Thompson. Back row (left to right): VPL Director of Growth & Communications, Aleksandra Dowiat Vine; VPL Director of Finance & Community Spaces, Sandy Vander Werff; President of Massive Devcon Corp., Ali Ozden; Peter Kent, MP; Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport Michael Tibollo; Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua; Ward 4 Councillor and VPL Board Trustee, Sandra Yeung Racco; City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Linda Jackson; Principal of Ward99 Architects, Tina Ranieri-D’Ovdio and VPL Director of Customer Experience, Lisa McDonough.

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua with the Vaughan Public LIbrary Board working together on the rigamajig.

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and members of the Vaughan Public Library Board working together on the rigamajig.

The very busy and popular Technology Bar.

A special storytime with Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.

Puppet show by Applefun Puppetry.

Fantastic things to discover in the Learn It! Lab.

For more highlights from the day, visit VPL’s Facebook page.

The New Children’s Area and LEARN IT! Lab at Bathurst Clark Resource Library to Open Soon!

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Denise | Tagged bathurst clark resource library, building projects, building update, city of vaughan, decor, Learn It Lab, new, new furniture, renovations, resource library, vaughan, vaughan public libraries, welcoming atmosphere, windows

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.