Ādisōke [Ottawa's New Central Library] | U/C

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Libraries have never been busier. Apart from "traditional", there's E-books, 3-D printers, recording studios, musical instrument lending, cafes, movies, children's programing, lectures, art exhibits, musical performances. The list goes on and on.

Exactly. Good modern libraries have become social nexuses and core to their city's arts scene. I keep seeing comments on articles about Ottawa's library like 'they should spend money on .... and .... not a library, nobody reads books anymore' and it makes me so angry. Libraries have never been more relevant.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Harley613

Exactly. Good modern libraries have become social nexuses and core to their city's arts scene. I keep seeing comments on articles about Ottawa's library like 'they should spend money on .... and .... not a library, nobody reads books anymore' and it makes me so angry. Libraries have never been more relevant.

Yeah the only legit argument is the money is better spent on the regional branches. Every kid I know who reads well reads exclusively or nearly exclusively real books. I think that is the way forward for quite a while. We still use pencils after all despite pens being "Superior".

[SidetrackedSue]

Regional branches are important when raising readers. My grandson visits his at least 4 times a week.

But this central branch will also be the regional branch for everyone living in that area. There are already many communities within walking distance, many of which include lower-income or new Canadians, so providing a strong library presence is a wonderful way of including these people in the life of the city.

I would hope that the focus at this branch will be two-fold; a showcase for Ottawa as a whole, but also a model regional library showing how a good library can bring communities together.

In the olden-days, churches were the heart of the community, not just for worship, but concerts, meals, and social groups. As society turns away from organized religion, it struggles to find a replacement for the social and cultural role the church once held. Libraries are doing a wonderful job of recognizing and stepping up to the challenge of filling that void.

[McC]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

. We still use pencils after all despite pens being "Superior".

???

[eltodesukane]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Libraries have never been busier. Apart from "traditional", there's E-books, 3-D printers, recording studios, musical instrument lending, cafes, movies, children's programing, lectures, art exhibits, musical performances. The list goes on and on.

Certainly not the case for my local branch library.
And whatever will be at the central library will be of no help to me.

[Jayday23]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

I don't, but I've also been thinking that it will be relatively small (60% of the total of this proposed building). I don't know whether that's due to cost, or reflects Ottawa's extensive branch network.

as per update, total facility will be 216,000 SqFT. OPL will be using 61% of that, or 131000 SqFT

[ortelius]

What's the sqft of the current main library?

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by Jayday23

as per update, total facility will be 216,000 SqFT. OPL will be using 61% of that, or 131000 SqFT

So all this excitement and opportunity and we are getting a dinky Halifax sized Central Library.

[Jayday23]

Originally Posted by Harley613

So all this excitement and opportunity and we are getting a dinky Halifax sized Central Library.

One thing that should be noted is that while the OPL has been granted only 61% of total Sq, I imagine that some of the LAC space may be open to the public as well. While it makes a difference to us, most users of this facility will probably not make the distinction between where OPL space ends and LAC space starts. As such, more sq will probably be open to the public than the numbers suggest.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Jayday23

as per update, total facility will be 216,000 SqFT. OPL will be using 61% of that, or 131000 SqFT

To compare with one I'm familiar with, Kitchener's central library, which was renovated and expanded a few years ago, is 107,000 sqft. According to Wikipedia, the new Halifax library is 120,000 sqft.

[J.OT13]

And so the value engineering begins.

Glad to see a few roof top terrace. I hope the rest of the roof will be greened, which would help reduce heating and cooling costs and just be better for the environment overall.

I'm concerned they only show doors towards Albert Street. Would we not want entrances along the aqueduct and closer to Pimisi Station. The ground floor plan shows an "open to below" on the north-west corner, so that might lead to a set of doors down there.

I hope they build the facility with the capability of adding another floor in the future.

Here's the CBC article.

Plans show 1st detailed glimpse of new central library

Matthew Kupfer · CBC News · Posted: Nov 01, 2019 12:14 PM ET | Last Updated: November 2

Facility beside LeBreton Flats now expected to open in 2025

Updated floor plans of Ottawa's new central library offer a first glimpse of what the landmark facility will look like, though its due date has been pushed back a bit.

According to a report to be tabled at next week's Ottawa Public Library Board, the official opening has been pushed back from 2024 to 2025.

The building, which will be situated at the eastern edge of LeBreton Flats, has also been reduced from six storeys to five, and will include an area devoted to Indigenous people and the study of their culture.

According to the report, there will be less space for Ottawa Public Library (OPL) staff than originally planned, adding more space for other functions. The space will be split 60-40 between the OPL and Library and Archives Canada.


The updated ground floor plan for the Ottawa Public Library's proposed joint central library-Library and Archives Canada facility. (City of Ottawa)

The ground floor will include an open "town square," exhibition space and a space for Library and Archives preservation.

The second floor includes an area for programming related to Indigenous people, specifically the Algonquin people who have inhabited what's now the National Capital Region for thousands of years.


In the top right of the drawing, there's a space for Indigenous programming on the second floor of the new central library. (City of Ottawa)

The city report said staff have been consulting specifically with people from Kitigan Zibi and Pikwakanagan to design the space.

Additional consultation with local Indigenous communities including Inuit and Métis are planned for later this month.

The floor plan for the third floor shows space for the OPL's teen collection and creative spaces, including some kind of 3D printing lab.


Floor space for the Ottawa Public Library is indicated in violet, while space for Library and Archives Canada is indicated in pink. This drawing shows the third floor. (City of Ottawa)

There's a significant space for Library and Archives Canada employees on the same level.

The OPL's adult fiction and non-fiction collection will be on the fourth and fifth floors. There's a music and instrument rental section and a rehearsal room there, too.


The fourth floor includes Library and Archives Canada reading and reference space. The adult fiction and non-fiction section of the public library begins on this floor, too. (City of Ottawa)

Plans for the fifth floor also show a rooftop terrace and café with views toward the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill.


The floor plan for the fifth floor indicates a rooftop café in light blue and a rooftop terrace in green. Views will be toward the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill. (City of Ottawa)

Underground, there are 200 parking spaces on two levels.

The drawings in the report are part of the preliminary design phase for the $192.9-million project, funded mostly by the city with a major contribution from the federal government.

More detailed designs are expected to be completed by March 2020, with contracts drawn up by the end of 2020

The staff report says contract documents are expected to be drawn up by the end of 2020.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-central-library-design-programs-1.5343639

[m0nkyman]

we are paying to build 200 fucking parking spaces in a civic building next door to the LRT? This city drives me berserk sometimes.

[Uhuniau]

As a regular user of both institutions, I still fail to see what mission this joint facility is intended to fulfil, other than as a replacement for the Metcalfe/Laurier bunker.

My worst fear is that it'll end up watering down the NLC's mandate even further beyond what happened with the NLC/LAC merger and DRAP.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

As a regular user of both institutions, I still fail to see what mission this joint facility is intended to fulfil, other than as a replacement for the Metcalfe/Laurier bunker.

My worst fear is that it'll end up watering down the NLC's mandate even further beyond what happened with the NLC/LAC merger and DRAP.

The only "advantage" I see is basically what Jayday23 posted; most users and tourists won't distinguish between the LAC and OPL usage and think it's just one big central library. It's what will save Ottawa the embarrassment of yet another under-built civic institution.

Originally Posted by Jayday23

One thing that should be noted is that while the OPL has been granted only 61% of total Sq, I imagine that some of the LAC space may be open to the public as well. While it makes a difference to us, most users of this facility will probably not make the distinction between where OPL space ends and LAC space starts. As such, more sq will probably be open to the public than the numbers suggest.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

As a regular user of both institutions, I still fail to see what mission this joint facility is intended to fulfil, other than as a replacement for the Metcalfe/Laurier bunker.

My worst fear is that it'll end up watering down the NLC's mandate even further beyond what happened with the NLC/LAC merger and DRAP.

That, and additional, publicly accesible space for the NLC/LAC. Isn't that the entire purpose?

[Arcologist]

A reminder for anyone who's interested in participating in the in-person workshops that the Iconic Features workshops in November are now open for registration.

https://ottawacentrallibrary.ca/introducing-inspire555-series


Date: Monday, November 18, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place: Shenkman Arts Centre, Ritchcraft Theatre


Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place: Nepean Sportsplex, Hall A


Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Place: Pellan Room, Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street

[AuxTown]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Libraries have never been busier. Apart from "traditional", there's E-books, 3-D printers, recording studios, musical instrument lending, cafes, movies, children's programing, lectures, art exhibits, musical performances. The list goes on and on.

I hadn't been to a public library in probably 20 years until I had my kids. They have a ton of children's programming and, of course, books for every age range to read to my kids and have them read themselves. It really changed my impression of the importance of public libraries in the digital age. Let's hope our central library is big and architecturally significant enough to attract people citywide.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by m0nkyman

we are paying to build 200 fucking parking spaces in a civic building next door to the LRT? This city drives me berserk sometimes.

Yeah that's ridiculous. One underground parking space costs $50K-80K. Do the math.
The only explanation I would understand is that it's for LAC employees in an effort to reduce surface parking on the Hill. But I feel like they'll quietly keep both.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

Yeah that's ridiculous. One underground parking space costs $50K-80K. Do the math.
The only explanation I would understand is that it's for LAC employees in an effort to reduce surface parking on the Hill. But I feel like they'll quietly keep both.

I'd be surprised at that. Newer federal buildings in downtown Ottawa typically don't have any parking for staff these days, except for maybe a tiny handful of spots for the most seniormost people.

Also I'd be even more surprised if LAC staff working at the corner of Wellington and Bay (?) have access to parking spots several few blocks east of there on Parliament Hill.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I'd be surprised at that. Newer federal buildings in downtown Ottawa typically don't have any parking for staff these days, except for maybe a tiny handful of spots for the most seniormost people.

Also I'd be even more surprised if LAC staff working at the corner of Wellington and Bay (?) have access to parking spots several few blocks east of there on Parliament Hill.

Which new buildings don't have parking? New Federal buildings are built and owned by the private sector, so they include parking as part of revenue generation anyway. I feel like the amount of parking per square feet has been reduced over the years (we will never see another Place de Ville type mega parking structure), but still provided.

I'm sure the new library parking will generate plenty of revenue as well. Not sure what the maintenance and administration costs are, but at $20 a day, I'm sure it will pay for itself within a few years.

What new library, or any new civic structure, doesn't have parking other than Calgary's new library? In the case of Calgary, it would have been exorbitantly expensive to build parking under an existing, active C-Train line. We don't have that problem.