Library renovation complete

H.G. Watson
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On May 28, Kitchener’s Central Library opened its doors after closing in March for the final stage of their $40 million renovation. It was worth the wait. The new facility is double the size of the old, and comes with a ton of new amenities – and 72,000 new library materials. The CCE shows you what’s new at the library.

Let there be light
Architects opened the space up dramatically to ensure that natural light would be the primary light source in the space during the day. The airy library has also been opened up with new seating areas and display style bookcases that make it easier for patrons to browse their reading options.

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Digital future
While the library will always trade in books, they also want to make sure the public is tech literate. The new media lab includes a 3D printer and computers with film-to-digital conversion and music mixing programs on them. The public can use all of the library’s new toys for free

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The art of reading
Library patrons should look up when they enter the new library. An installation called Flux now adorns the ceiling of the foyer. The work is meant to evoke pages of a book blowing in the wind. Go to the second floor and take a closer look – each piece of paper has English and Chinese words stamped on it.

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Fit for a kid
The new children’s area is so much fun your little ones might confuse it for a playground. Early learning literacy toys line the end of each bookcase and there are nooks set in to the shelves where your Matilda or Encyclopedia Brown can sit and read.

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Allison is a journalist in Kitchener-Waterloo, and former editor-in-chief of the Community Edition.