Brentwood second and third floors

As you can see in this picture, we are coming closer to completing the second floor. This picture shows the original ceiling with Douglas Fir. It has been completely sanded and refinished. The duct work is exposed and painted a nut brown so that it blends in well with the ceiling. Lights have been installed that reflect both down and up towards the ceiling. The fireplace has been kept, with an electric insert for convenience. This is where the majority of the adult collection will be housed, with a comfortable sitting area surrounding the fireplace. There will also be a reference desk on this floor to aid customers with their research questions.

Immediately adjacent to the area in the picture above is the addition to the second floor. This will also house the adult collection as well as a Le@rning Centre with 11 computers and a Teen Lounge. The picture to the right shows a detail of the ceiling in this part of the building. It was created to complement the wooden ceiling in the original part of the building while adding a more modern approach. The blue of the steel work here is the same blue you will find on the steel work in the staircase.

 

 

This is a view from the third floor, an area for staff offices and work spaces. It is nearing completion with the carpet installed and the glass wall overlooking the second floor in place. You can catch a glimpse of the wooden ceiling in the addition of the second floor through the glass partition. Keeping this wall as glass allows a more open feeling to the second floor.

Brentwood progress

The Brentwood project is continuing with a steady pace. In this picture you see the beginning of the registration/circulation desk being installed. Once finished, it will be one of the first areas you see on entering the branch. It will be the "go to place" to register for a library card, seek help with your holds, ask about your card status, and yes, even the place to pay your fines. This desk is in the middle of the first floor, with the program room and urban living room to the south and the children's area (complete with the KidsStop early literacy area) to the north.

 

Directly across from the registration desk is the express self check-out area, designed for ultimate flexibility and to keep you from having to wait in line for the simple transactions surrounding book check outs. While located so that staff can help if necessary, it is the ultimate in customer convenience. It is so easy, in fact, that you can teach your children to be independent library users!

 

 

 

The urban living room, located just south of the entrance to the library off of Brentwood, has an electric fireplace installed for those chilly autumn days (and the even colder winter ones). This will be a great place to relax with a good read, remotely browse the collection, hook into the WiFi system or simply read the newspaper. We anticipate that this will be a much used public space!

Brentwood Branch - interior pictures

As you can see from this picture, the drywall is installed and taped, ready for painting. This is a view of the KidsStop area of the branch, at the front of the branch, on the north side. With windows on both the front and side (looking out onto what will become the Reading Garden) this is a bright and airy space for children and their caregivers. Very soon, the Burgeon group  and Holman Exhibits will be installing bright and vibrant letters and interactive learning modules that emphasize that early literacy is fun! When it opens, this will become the "go to" space for all the under 5 year olds (and their friends).

 

Also located on the first floor, and adjacent to the KidsStop area, is the area for the registration desk and the self-serve express check out. This picture was taken looking directly at the express check out area on the far wall (behind the pillar). If you look closely at the picture, where the scaffolding is tucked away is an area designated for parking strollers once the branch is open. This "off street" parking will be a great advantage for parents as they enjoy the spaces that the library has to offer without having to worry about their strollers.

 

This is the stairway leading up from the first floor. The elevator can just be glimpsed in the right hand corner. The elevator will make all the floors of the branch fully accessible for all patrons. As well, just to the right of the elevator (not pictured) are the fully accessible washrooms and community board area.

The workers are painting the decorative steel structure that lines the staircase from the first to third floor. When finished, it will be a blue/grey colour. The steel feature is repeated in front of the windows on the landing (just noticeable in the picture at the top of the first flight of stairs).

The first floor of the building will house the urban living room, a community program room, the registration desk, and of course, the KidsStop and Children's area. It will be light and airy and a welcoming place to while away a few hours.