TPL

Brentwood Branch Renovation & Expansion Project (2010 to 2012)

Q&A

  
What is happening at Brentwood Branch?

Brentwood Branch is scheduled to undergo a major renovation and expansion. City Council approved the capital budget for this work and we expect the project will go out to tender in 2010 and that construction will start shortly thereafter.

When was this project approved?

The project was approved in 2007.  Following public consultations in 2007 and 2008, the design was completed and applications were submitted for the necessary permits and approvals.

What is the current status of the project?

The minor variances required to proceed with this project were approved by the Committee of Adjustment on October 22, 2009.  There was an appeal of this decision to the Ontario Municipal Board, and a hearing took place on January 21, 2010.  The Ontario Municipal Board decided the project should proceed and the schedule will be updated shortly.

Why are we renovating and expanding? 

Toronto Public Library is committed to creating and revitalizing dynamic, innovative public spaces in Toronto. 

Brentwood Branch is a busy library, over 50 years old and was last renovated in 1988. It is in need of state of good repair and accessibility improvements.  Brentwood Branch serves a community of over 100,000 residents and has outgrown its ability to provide effective public library service and to meet the demands of the community in the current facility.
 
How will the renovation benefit me?

The public can look forward to many wonderful service upgrades and additions when the renovated and expanded branch reopens in 2010.  Some of these include:

• More public space: The renovation will expand the branch from 13,615 to 17,500 square feet, an increase of almost 30%.
• A building the community can be proud of: A beautifully expanded and fully accessible facility, with increased street presence.
• Your home away from home: A newly created Urban Living Room featuring comfortable lounge space with current popular reading and audio visual materials (including bestsellers, CDs, magazines and DVDs). 
• Something special for the kids: a new KidsStop - KidsStops are interactive early literacy centres where caregivers can learn about the importance of developing pre-literacy skills in their children. 
• A place for programs and a community meeting space: The renovation will increase size of the program room and add kitchen facilities.  
• More computers: The expansion will allow the library to add more public computer workstations.
• A place to learn: A new Computer Le@rning Centre and more quiet study space.
• A cool place to hang out: A new teen zone.
• Convenience: Interior and exterior book-drops for library returns and new express check-out.
• A real hot spot in the community: Wireless Internet access.

Who is designing the renovated branch?

Toronto Public Library has selected the firm Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc to design the renovation and expansion.  

What are their credentials?

The award winning work of architectural firm Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc is well known to Torontonians.  They designed the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.  Library projects include Toronto Public Library’s Maria A. Shchuka Branch and Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre as well as Vaughan’s Pierre Berton Resource Library and the Cornwall Central Library.

How much will the renovation cost?

The budget for the renovation is estimated at $6.17 million.

Will the Branch be closed during the renovation? 

Yes.  It is expected that Brentwood Branch will close in 2010 and reopen in 2012.

Is the Library accepting donations to the Brentwood Branch renovation & expansion?

Yes.  Members of the public who are interested in donating funds to the Brentwood Branch renovation and expansion project are invited to contact the Toronto Public Library Foundation at 416-393-7123.  We are not accepting any book or material donations.

If I wish to speak with anyone regarding the renovation and expansion, whom should I call?

Contact the Area Manager, Cheryl Skovronek at 416-394-5005 or email cskovronek@torontopubliclibrary.ca.
Who should the media contact about the renovation and expansion?

Edward Karek, Communications Officer, at 416-397-5925 or email
media@torontopubliclibrary.ca.

Brentwood Library Renovation and Expansion Project Open House

The Brentwood Library has been a valued part of your community for over 50 years. A major expansion and revitalization is scheduled to commence in 2009.

The new Brentwood branch will:
- Be 4,000 square feet larger
- Feature current popular reading and audio visual materials (including bestsellers, CDs, magazines and DVDs) in Brentwood's newly created urban living room
- Be fully accessible; A new elevator and washrooms
- Have a new Computer Le@rning Centre

Other features will include:
- A larger, fully accessible meeting room with kitchen facilities
- Quiet study rooms
- Additional public pc workstations
- More lounge and collection space for seniors, adults, teens and children
- A new teen zone
- A new reading garden
- New express check-out and returns

Help make this project a success!

Join Toronto Public Library staff and architects from Diamond+Schmitt Architects Inc for an open house about the upcoming renovation of Brentwood branch.

It's your chance to review and comment on the proposed renovation design!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Drop in between 6:30 and 8 p.m.

Brentwood Branch
36 Brentwood Road North, 416-394-5240

Brentwood Renovation Focus Groups

Brentwood Renovation and Expansion 2009

Your input in regard to the design of Brentwood library is very important to us.

If you would like to be part of a focus group to discuss Brentwood's upcoming renovation and expansion please call the number below to register.

Focus Groups dates and times:

Tuesday, July 15 at 7.pm.

Thursday July 24 at 2 p.m. - seniors' issues will be discussed during this meeting but all are welcome.

To register please phone: Ellen Rogosin at 416-394-5007 (call anytime and leave your name and number)

Get Involved!: Brentwood Renovation Project

Make your voice heard! Be a part of the future of your district branch by letting us know what you would like to see, as well as finding out about the new features planned for the upcoming renovation and expansion. How?

• Attend our open house. Visit us at the Brentwood Library on June 12th, between 5-7 p.m., where you can meet with the architect, your city councillor, and library staff to ask questions and comment. Even if you can only come for a few moments, it is a great opportunity to speak with those directly involved in planning the new Brentwood. (Light refreshments will be available.) For more information, see our informational flyer here:

                                                 Download BrentwoodFlyer5.pdf

• Fill in our opinion form and return it to the library, where it will go directly to the people involved in the planning of your library's renovation. We want to hear what you think! Pick up the form at the branch and return it any time. This is a great way to tell us what you think, even if you can't make it to the open house. To make it even easier to give us your input, download the flyer above, fill out the form on page 2, and drop it by at your convenience.

• Keep watching this space! We will be posting updated information here in the lead-up to the renovation, including announcing opportuinities to join in focus groups or attend future meetings. We would also love your input here in the form of comments, questions, or ideas, so do respond in comments to any information we post! And it's not over once we break ground - we will continue to post information and pictures here as the renovation progresses, too, so you can stay involved and informed.

We hope to see and hear from you as we move towards our renovation, anticipated to begin in Spring of 2009!