Who needs libraries anymore? (WE do!)

Library of the future: light, activity, warmth

Teen Center in the New York Public Library–photo, Rice & Lipka Architects

Today’s Ottawa Citizen has a feature on what other libraries have done in terms of design. This is very timely when comments are welcome on Ottawa’s Central Library concept from now until April 6th (see past post).

Lyn Rice of  Rice+Lipka Architects in New York City has been busy giving libraries around the Big Apple a facelift over the past three years.

Among the firm’s notable projects was the Hamilton Grange Library Teen Center in Harlem, described as the New York Public Library’s “first full-floor dedicated teen space.” Unlike the dark, formal buildings of the past, the modern spaces Rice and his colleagues create are designed to draw not only light, but also people from all walks of life.

As Ottawa moves closer to the renewal of its central library — the topic of a public discussion Tuesday night at city hall — the Citizen spoke with Rice about the evolution of libraries.

Q How do you see libraries in the future?

A  The library is so much in demand as a new civic space, a place that has kind of gone by the wayside in previous decades. And we don’t have public meeting spaces so much anymore. We rely on Starbucks or Barnes and Noble to provide what used to be provided by civic functions and parks. So the library really has a place. Like in New York I know there is in demand for after school care, extra-curricular programs, not just reading programs but all kinds of youth programs, programs for the elderly, and it also becomes a venue for community meetings.

Q Other than books, what do new libraries include these days?

A The library is getting to a place where it’s more about participating than just book learning, but also providing access to individual exploration through internet technology, through gaming. I know at our teen centre we have a glass cylinder (room) where kids can go in and play Guitar Hero and Wii and they get physical and they get loud. They have bleachers for poetry readings and film screenings, niches for studying and lounges for more casual book readings and group spaces for socializing. Food and drink are allowed in a portion of it.

Q How are the building designed differently today?

A (The goal) of pretty much every project we are working on is to add daylight, and have that relationship to the outside … because it’s such a critical component of mental health. There’s really no reason not to have a lot of  daylight. In the ’70s we saw a lot of additional egress stairs, people were blocking up windows, and sometimes without explanation.

Q How should the design make people feel?

A It was a rougher times in the ’70s in New York, everything got very defensive and bars got put on windows, and now we are stripping all of that away. And it’s kind of a metaphor for what I think is happening in general. The formality that might be a little intimidating for not just youth but older people is being stripped away and I think the emphasis is on welcome and warmth and almost having this kind of home for learning and exploring new relationships and information.

Q What helps to keep a library space current?

A There has to be more flexibility in terms of what libraries can provide. Like advanced technology zones that are designed in a way that they can be reconfigured easily (for new technology).

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Celebrating 123 years of library service in North Gower!

Daughter Lane is among the first for cake while Dad Councillor Scott Moffatt serves up; staffers Karen Craig and Louise Drouin-Backs look on

Library patrons, staff, volunteers and Rideau-Goulbourn Councillor Scott Moffatt celebrated the occasion of 123 years of continuous library service in North Gower today.

A chocolate cake decorated with multi-coloured candies was sliced by the Councillor for staff and visitors, including his daughter, Lane.

Councillor Moffatt remarked that the North Gower Library’s history of over a century of service was remarkable in the history of Ontario and that today, as part of the Ottawa Public Library system, library users have access to a huge range of materials.

“This library may seem small physically,” he said, “but it has large circulation numbers and is an important part of our community. My children enjoy coming here to read and play,” he said.

While the grown-ups were making speeches, several children were playing in the children’s area at the back of the library, where there are toys and three walls of shelved picture books. Other children were comfortable in chairs, reading graphic novels, waiting for the speeches to be over and the cake to be served.

Staffers Karen Craig, Louise Drouin-Backs, and Christine McKay were on hand for the celebration today.

The North Gower Library began on November 14th, 1891, when the Mechanics Institute convened a library service for local residents. The library was in at least six locations over the years, but since 1978 has been housed in the former Rideau Township Fire Hall, next door to the Rideau Archives in the former Town Hall.

Councillor Moffatt remarked that the upcoming 125th year will be one of celebration for the community, which prizes its library.

The 123rd celebration event was organized by the Friends of the North Gower Library.

friendsofthenorthgowerlibrary@gmail.com

The North Gower Library is 123 today!

It’s a fact: 123 years ago today, the papers were signed by officials with the Mechanic’s Institute to create a library in North Gower.

Let’s celebrate with a cake tomorrow during Library hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Councillor Scott Moffatt will drop in at 1 p.m. to mark the occasion.