Building Projects | Building Projects

New location for Civic Centre Resource Library

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Denise

At the March 5 Committee of the Whole (Working Session), the Council received a report from senior City of Vaughan staff with proposed recommendation to the existing Civic Centre Master Plan. Among the recommendations, the report proposes the relocation of the Civic Centre Resource Library site from its existing location on the south-east part of the campus to the north-west quadrant of the civic square fronting onto Major Mackenzie Drive.

At the subsequent Library Board meeting on March 21, the Library Board was supportive of the proposed recommendation regarding site relocation. The relocation will have a positive impact on the visual presence of the library on Major Mackenzie Dr. and will further help to easily identify the library as a desirable destination to the community.

The recommendation was approved by Council on April 23.

Future planning meetings with the architectural firm will resume shortly.

New looks for displaying books

Posted on March 27, 2013 by annesha

Bathurst Clark Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library have received two unique stands that will help you find your next library items with ease.

On the second floor of Pierre Berton Resource Library, you will now find a bookshelf (seen below, left) next to the Information Desk. With slatted walls and shelving, the new unit offers maximum space for the convenient display of books, CDs and DVDs.

At the entrance of Bathurst Clark Resource Library, three nesting tables (seen below, right) now welcome you to the library. The tables can be arranged to display materials in many ways and can also exhibit collections on a special bottom shelf.

Visit your local resource library to see what staff have displayed on these new furniture pieces.

New Façade for Pierre Berton Resource Library Checkout Desk

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After eight years of constant use, the Pierre Berton Resource Library Checkout Desk was deserving of a makeover. Thanks to the hard work of VPL staff, a new wooden façade was created to wrap around the exterior millwork and give the desk a cleaner look. In addition, a stainless steel desk surface was secured and the bookshelf was re-varnished for customers.

Library Chair shares update on North Thornhill Library

Posted on February 19, 2013 by annesha

Vaughan Public Libraries’ Building Projects blog presents a special guest post by Michael McKenzie, Chair, Vaughan Public Library Board.

In the 2011 budget deliberations, Vaughan Public Libraries was awarded funds to construct a library as an addition to the North Thornhill Community Centre. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was released November 2011 inviting bids from architect contractor teams to design and build this library. Bids from ten proponents were evaluated and three were identified and prequalified to advance to stage two of the competition. All three submitted proposals that far exceeded the approved budget and in July 2012, stage two of the RFP competition was cancelled.

The scope of the project was then modified and the three prequalified bidders were invited to submit revised proposals to a new RFP. Only two of the three prequalified bidders submitted proposals. Unfortunately, neither were compliant, and the bidding process was cancelled. What this all means is that the building of a library in the North Thornhill Community Centre has been delayed from the original estimates we provided.

On behalf of the VPL Board I would like to apologize to the residents of Vaughan for the delay. The Board remains committed to building a library in the North Thornhill Community Centre and ensuring we are responsible in the spending of the resources we have been entrusted with. We will continue to work with the City to move the development of the North Thornhill Library forward and to provide the Citizens of Vaughan with many more welcoming destinations that educate, excite and empower our community.

ZAS Architects Inc. to Design New Library

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Denise

Council approved the recommendation of the Vaughan Public Library Board to secure ZAS Architects Inc. as the firm to design the new Civic Centre Resource Library. The new library will be part of the Civic Centre complex located at Major Mackenzie Drive and Keele Street.

The planning process for the new library is underway with regular meetings with the architect company. It is currently anticipated that the design will be finalized by late summer with excavation beginning fall 2013. The construction project is anticipated to take 18 months with full project completion in early 2015.

Stay up to date on this building project. Check back often for the latest news on the Civic Centre Resource Library.

Say Hello to Great Reads and Handy Information!

Posted on December 7, 2012 by annesha

As you walk through Vaughan Public Libraries’ Bathurst Clark location, you can now come across great reads on a four-tier stand and useful information on slated pillars.

Through the installation of a new four-tier stand, you can easily find a book that catches your eye right near the Service Desk. The stand was installed along with slated walls, which surround two pillars and contain information about what’s going on at your library.

Take a peak at the tiers and pillars below, or visit us to see them for yourself!

The New and Improved Teen Reading Lounge at Pierre Berton

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Denise

Thanks to the teen volunteers, Pierre Berton Resource Library’s Teen Reading Lounge recently received a makeover! Check out photos below to see the newly painted mural around the Teen Reading Lounge. Hand painted by our teen volunteers, the wall features a city and forest skyline with a quote from Gallileo, a rolling hill, a flamingo and a welcome sign and a local library, plus info about the Teen Reading Challenge. In addition to the paintings, Pierre Berton also added new bean bag chairs to the Lounge.

New Automated Book Drop At Bathurst Clark Resource Library

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Denise

Bathurst Clark Resource Library’s bookdrop just got better! It is now fully automated and has a brand new look. Behind the scenes the automated bookdrop is a mini sorter that will assist VPL in serving you better. When using the new bookdrop, remember to just watch for the green light that lets you know the system is ready for you to deposit your next item!

New and Improved Elevator at Woodbridge Library

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Denise

Woodbridge Library is a split level building, with services for our customers offered on three separate floors, within a two story building. Because of this, the library has an elevator that travels between the floors. For years, the elevator has been key operated, meaning that people who wish to ride the elevator must ring a bell, and then wait for a staff member to come and open the elevator for them. As of July 17, Woodbridge Library has a button operated elevator! This means that people who wish to ride the elevator no longer need a staff member to help them. This change makes Woodbridge more accessible for people with mobility concerns, and for families with strollers.

New Bench At Kleinburg Library

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Denise

Recently, following requests from the community, the City of Vaughan installed an outdoor bench for pedestrians and visitors to the Kleinburg Library. Located adjacent to the sidewalk the bench is a welcome addition to the library grounds.