New Central Library | Construction

[DizzyEdge]

Considering this may very well be our last central library I hope it's really good

[Chadillaccc]

Me too. They are projecting that it will last us a century, so that is promising. What is also promising is that they are taking so long to work out the details, shows a very good thought process and no cutting corners.

[*Stardust*]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Considering this may very well be our last central library I hope it's really good

What does that mean? You mean in our lifetime?

[DizzyEdge]

I suspect there will not be another central building built to hold physical library books.

[Trans Canada]

Indeed I think physical libraries are on their way out in the medium/long term, and while physical copies are important to have, they will be kept in archives which need not be in a central and accessible location. I would be very surprised if this building lives its entire life as a library (given our current definition of a library) and I reckon it will either significantly evolve as time goes on or be repurposed entirely (in, maybe, 50 years).

[The Fisher Account]

Originally Posted by Trans Canada

Indeed I think physical libraries are on their way out in the medium/long term, and while physical copies are important to have, they will be kept in archives which need not be in a central and accessible location. I would be very surprised if this building lives its entire life as a library (given our current definition of a library) and I reckon it will either significantly evolve as time goes on or be repurposed entirely (in, maybe, 50 years).

I think the term people are using now is that libraries will evolve into "community spaces" and less so into book repositories. Or something like that

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

I think the term people are using now is that libraries will evolve into "community spaces" and less so into book repositories. Or something like that

I agree, unsure though once this new one reaches it's end of life if a brand new "central community space" will get built.

[RyLucky]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Considering this may very well be our last central library I hope it's really good

Originally Posted by *Stardust*

What does that mean? You mean in our lifetime?

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I suspect there will not be another central building built to hold physical library books.

Libraries build in the past decade have focused on workspace more than books. I don't expect this one to be any different.

IMO, there will always be a need for libraries - although the purpose has evolved. The institution has changed form to become more democratized, both in the sense that access has improved and in the sense that libraries have become an important institution in democracy, especially in the UK and America thanks to philanthropists and thinkers like Carnegie and Dewey. The library on 12th Ave and 2nd St SW is a Carnegie Library. For the past century, libraries have stood for equality and opportunity. I don't think that will change. The presence of books is not so important as a safe and quiet space to work/study independently, meet with groups, and share ideas via lectures. As Calgary trends towards smaller living spaces, increased gender equality, increased immigration, more population in the core, later ages to start families, and becomes a larger intellectual and cultural centre, a central library becomes all the more significant. I hope that these trends only continue for the next century.

This new library, however, will likely carry significance that is novel (haha) to Calgary. In particular, like many national libraries, this library will inevitably make a statement about our identity and values as a place that former libraries and peripheral branches cannot achieve. For that reason, I'm hoping for something with architectural shelf-life (haha-ha). Physically, redeveloping this challenging site could have a significant affect on the feel of the inner city.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by RyLucky

Libraries build in the past decade have focused on workspace more than books. I don't expect this one to be any different.

IMO, there will always be a need for libraries - although the purpose has evolved. The institution has changed form to become more democratized, both in the sense that access has improved and in the sense that libraries have become an important institution in democracy, especially in the UK and America thanks to philanthropists and thinkers like Carnegie and Dewey. The library on 12th Ave and 2nd St SW is a Carnegie Library. For the past century, libraries have stood for equality and opportunity. I don't think that will change. The presence of books is not so important as a safe and quiet space to work/study independently, meet with groups, and share ideas via lectures. As Calgary trends towards smaller living spaces, increased gender equality, increased immigration, more population in the core, later ages to start families, and becomes a larger intellectual and cultural centre, a central library becomes all the more significant. I hope that these trends only continue for the next century.

This new library, however, will likely carry significance that is novel (haha) to Calgary. In particular, like many national libraries, this library will inevitably make a statement about our identity and values as a place that former libraries and peripheral branches cannot achieve. For that reason, I'm hoping for something with architectural shelf-life (haha-ha). Physically, redeveloping this challenging site could have a significant affect on the feel of the inner city.

I think we underestimate the effect that libraries have had and have in ensuring an educated population that allows our electoral system to function in a reasonable manner. I agree, the function of being the place to share ideas is a key one for a library, particularly a central one. Having a place where the common person can go and listen and share ideas is the great leveling of the society and is as needed now (if not more) as it was in Greece.

[RicoLance21]

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

It's like a double rainbow! But what does it mean?

Oh God!! I cannot resist this reply...

Those who play League of Legends will know what I am talking about

Source: http://leagueoflegends.com

[horrorshow]

Originally Posted by 5seconds

This was just posted by Scott Dipple on Twitter:

Yes, they provided their update to the City today in a committee meeting. In the report it stated mid Sept.

It appears the little bird told me the wrong info before. I was anticipating mid july!

[DizzyEdge]

Otherwise known as Please Don't Suck Day

[andasen]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Otherwise known as Please Don't Suck Day

What does it mean if we know of some of the suck early?

In related news.

New Central Library will not get +15 to City Hall via CBC

[Chadillaccc]

I read the comments. Why do I read the comments?


Also, not having the +15 between the structures is a devastating blow to both the library itself and the Riff in the East Village.

[googspecial]

New Central Library will not get +15 to City Hall via CBC

"They're going to be using the LRT station so we've focused about how do we get that connectivity from the LRT station, looking where the adjacent parking is in the area, really meeting all of those needs."

Maybe this means we will see some sort of overpass from the platforms at city hall over 3 St? Not sure how it would work, but that could be interesting...

[H.E.Pennypacker]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

I read the comments. Why do I read the comments?


Also, not having the +15 between the structures is a devastating blow to both the library itself and the Riff in the East Village.

Unless they're aiming for a connection between the two to be at street level in the open air?

[MichaelS]

I am frustrated by the reasoning that says City Hall is closed during the library's busiest times. Well, couldn't we just keep City Hall open? Why what should be the most publicly accessible building in our downtown closes at 6:00 PM is beyond me.

I understand that building a +15 could be expensive, so I do hope they create an at grade crossing at 8th Ave into the Library. Some programming changes to City Hall are desperately needed (like keeping the doors unlocked for as long as the rest of the+15 network) and we can still have the connection through from Stephen Ave to the Riff. This is about much more than just getting people to the Library in my opinion. It is about connecting our two most important pedestrian streets in the core.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by H.E.Pennypacker

Unless they're aiming for a connection between the two to be at street level in the open air?

Wouldn't it be funny if they did to this what they did to the peace bridge and didn't even have a cross walk at the entrance? Is there even a proper exit from City Hall on this side at street level?

[MichaelS]

Here is the City Hall entrance on 3rd Street at 8th Ave:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@51.04519...FBGg!2e0?hl=en

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by MichaelS

I am frustrated by the reasoning that says City Hall is closed during the library's busiest times. Well, couldn't we just keep City Hall open? Why what should be the most publicly accessible building in our downtown closes at 6:00 PM is beyond me.

I understand that building a +15 could be expensive, so I do hope they create an at grade crossing at 8th Ave into the Library. Some programming changes to City Hall are desperately needed (like keeping the doors unlocked for as long as the rest of the+15 network) and we can still have the connection through from Stephen Ave to the Riff. This is about much more than just getting people to the Library in my opinion. It is about connecting our two most important pedestrian streets in the core.

Is this still a go or are you referring to the existing form of the building?