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

[Harley613]

montreal and vancouver may be larger cities than ottawa, but they definitely did a nice job with their central libraries! calgary is getting an amazing new central library in the near future, and edmonton is redoing theirs.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

A uOttawa/City library could also be on the east side of King Edward Avenue near Laurier; that is not far from Rideau Street. The university already owns most of the land and buildings on King Edward between Laurier and Mann. A couple of years ago the university got the okay from the city to redevelop that whole strip, with six story buildings on the corners and four story ones in between.

In June 2011 the university expects to publish Vision 2020. This will be the blueprint for the university in this decade. It will include proposals for new facilities. We should see then what they propose to do with King Edward Avenue. We should see if a library proposal is in the works.

We could also see what they intend to do with the 19 acre former Algonquin College they acquired on Lees Avenue. My guess is that they will choose to build new sport and recreation facilities there.

[reidjr]

To be clear i am not aginst a new library i do think its needed.My point is we should not built a library just for looks we need a library that fits well in the city and offers value to the city.

[kwoldtimer]

Are there good examples of shared university/public libraries? It doesn't immediately strike me as a natural fit.

[lrt's friend]

I doesn't necessarily have to be a shared library but a shared building.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I doesn't necessarily have to be a shared library but a shared building.

True, but that would have to be a honking big building. I have seen branch libraries located in schools, so I guess it would not be such a stretch.

[eemy]

Originally Posted by reidjr

Maybe at one point it would have been worth building a library that was a gem.However at this time with so many going online and even some cities getting away from typical library is it wise to spend $200 million plus no i don't think that is the right move.Building a nice basic library maybe even offer ebooks to citizens for $140.00 each even if you give one to every citizen its still cheaper and modern then building a massive library that many may not use.

If Jan Harder's figure of 5000 visits per day is accurate, that means that annually, there are approximately 1.8 million visitors to the Central branch. Compared to some other institutions (2009/2010):

AGO 0.36 million
ROM 1.1 million
Museum of Civilization 1.3 million (08/09)
War Museum 0.5 million (08/09)

Vancouver Library 5.9 million (2009)
Ottawa Library 4.8 million (2008)

The point isn't that the Central Library is somehow more important than these institutions because it has more visitors. The point is to call into question your assertion that the central library is somehow becoming irrelevant. Perhaps in the long term that's true, but what is clear is that the it is still far more relevant than any of these museums.

That said, the central library in Vancouver cost only $100 million (albeit in 1995 dollars), so perhaps a nice library could be constructed for less.

[reidjr]

Originally Posted by jeremy_haak

If Jan Harder's figure of 5000 visits per day is accurate, that means that annually, there are approximately 1.8 million visitors to the Central branch. Compared to some other institutions (2009/2010):

AGO 0.36 million
ROM 1.1 million
Museum of Civilization 1.3 million (08/09)
War Museum 0.5 million (08/09)

Vancouver Library 5.9 million (2009)
Ottawa Library 4.8 million (2008)

The point isn't that the Central Library is somehow more important than these institutions because it has more visitors. The point is to call into question your assertion that the central library is somehow becoming irrelevant. Perhaps in the long term that's true, but what is clear is that the it is still far more relevant than any of these museums.

That said, the central library in Vancouver cost only $100 million (albeit in 1995 dollars), so perhaps a nice library could be constructed for less.

No i am not saying a library is not needed it is what i am saying is we should not building something based on looks vs use.Would a library much like vancouver have be best for ottawa maybe my probleam is some seem to want to have the best in the country and that is my issue.Why spend $200 million just so you can say wow we have the best looking library in the country while we could spend $100 million or around there and have a very nice moddern library and we could make sure it has alot of great features.

[Ottawan]

Originally Posted by reidjr

No i am not saying a library is not needed it is what i am saying is we should not building something based on looks vs use.Would a library much like vancouver have be best for ottawa maybe my probleam is some seem to want to have the best in the country and that is my issue.Why spend $200 million just so you can say wow we have the best looking library in the country while we could spend $100 million or around there and have a very nice moddern library and we could make sure it has alot of great features.

Who has ever said we should spend money just for it to 'look pretty'? Enough money needs to be spent for it to be a state of the art facility - but once you are spending that kind of cash, spending a certain percentage more for something architecturally impressive is a worthwhile investment. But don't get me wrong, the goal of the library is to be a functional 21st century institution.

[reidjr]

Originally Posted by Ottawan

Who has ever said we should spend money just for it to 'look pretty'? Enough money needs to be spent for it to be a state of the art facility - but once you are spending that kind of cash, spending a certain percentage more for something architecturally impressive is a worthwhile investment. But don't get me wrong, the goal of the library is to be a functional 21st century institution.

Yes enough money needs to be spent but we should not and can not go over board on a library or anything.

[lrt's friend]

I think what Vancouver has spent will mean that their library will have a longer useful life. When you cheap down, you end up with something that becomes horribly outdated quickly. A perfect example is our own Central Library. At only about 35 years of age, it is horribly outdated and has horrid architecture. In other words, you get what you pay for. I am not for lavish waste, but we should at least consider having a building that will be useful for more than 35 years. Ideally, such an important civic building will have indefinite value in the community. Or do we not construct buildings of that stature anymore?

[reidjr]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I think what Vancouver has spent will mean that their library will have a longer useful life. When you cheap down, you end up with something that becomes horribly outdated quickly. A perfect example is our own Central Library. At only about 35 years of age, it is horribly outdated and has horrid architecture. In other words, you get what you pay for. I am not for lavish waste, but we should at least consider having a building that will be useful for more than 35 years. Ideally, such an important civic building will have indefinite value in the community. Or do we not construct buildings of that stature anymore?

I agree we need a library that is nice and has a good use and lasts for atleast 30 years.I just think spending $200 million on a library at this time is a bit over the top.

[lrt's friend]

There was an article in the Ottawa Citizen today concerning this very subject. It talked about developing a business case for a new downtown library. I think we are only in the very early stages of a discussion on this subject. The need to consider partnerships in various forms was mentioned in order to contain costs. I understand what reidjr is talking about and a proper business plan will address much of what he is talking about.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

kw oldtimer asks

Are there good examples of shared university/public libraries? It doesn't immediately strike me as a natural fit.

In a sense uOttawa'/Ottawa Public Library are already shared libraries. It is little known that you can access books at the uOttawa library with an Ottawa Public Library Card. This agreement was put in a place a couple of years ago, but was not publicized. Nobody knows about it. I was told of it by a senior uOttawa librarian , whom I chatted with at a social event in November. On line integration of their holdings will probably be the next step.

What they do not share is buildings, and that may be coming. It is in uOttawa documents that the university should seek partnerships with others, notably the City of Ottawa. It is seen as a way to deal with some of the difficulties the university faces in getting room to build in the cramped downtown area they are in. Partner with the city and others to build what they both need.

The City of Edmonton and the University of Alberta are further ahead than Ottawa in integrating libraries. They work closely together and have already integrated their online servers. Sharing physical facilities is also a possiblity in the future of that city.

[kwoldtimer]

I didn't know that. In that case, my vote for the location of a shared facility goes to the blocks between Waller and Cumberland and between Besserer and Stewart. Good links to transit and it would help pull UofO toward downtown Rideau.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

I didn't know that. In that case, my vote for the location of a shared facility goes to the blocks between Waller and Cumberland and between Besserer and Stewart. Good links to transit and it would help pull UofO toward downtown Rideau.

HM--interesting idea---I believe that the university owns some of the buildings and houses on that section of Stewart.

Also--the university would like to have an auditorium for convocations and other large meetings. The present main university library is probably a large enough space to be gutted and turned into an auditorium with lots of seating, if a new library was built elsewhere.

[KHOOLE]

I knew about book rentals from U of O a few years ago. At that time, if I remember well, rentals were only from the Morriset Library and books had to be picked up and returned at that site. Also, a rental was limited to two weeks and renewals were not allowed. These regulations may have changed since then, though. Let me know if I am wrong.

I am enthralled with the architecture of Vancouver's Library Square. Why can't we have buildings like that in Ottawa, instead of the standard Corn Flakes boxes? The only one that would compare is the PSAC Building. To be fair, though, many of the newer tall buildings downtown are very pleasant to look at and are wonderful additions to the skyline. Can't say that for all of them, though.

Maybe we could demolish the DND building and replace it with an attractive Central Library that would complement the Congress Centre?

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

kw oldtimer asks



In a sense uOttawa'/Ottawa Public Library are already shared libraries. It is little known that you can access books at the uOttawa library with an Ottawa Public Library Card. This agreement was put in a place a couple of years ago, but was not publicized. Nobody knows about it. I was told of it by a senior uOttawa librarian , whom I chatted with at a social event in November. On line integration of their holdings will probably be the next step.

What they do not share is buildings, and that may be coming. It is in uOttawa documents that the university should seek partnerships with others, notably the City of Ottawa. It is seen as a way to deal with some of the difficulties the university faces in getting room to build in the cramped downtown area they are in. Partner with the city and others to build what they both need.

The City of Edmonton and the University of Alberta are further ahead than Ottawa in integrating libraries. They work closely together and have already integrated their online servers. Sharing physical facilities is also a possiblity in the future of that city.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

I

knew about book rentals from U of O a few years ago. At that time, if I remember well, rentals were only from the Morriset Library and books had to be picked up and returned at that site. Also, a rental was limited to two weeks and renewals were not allowed. These regulations may have changed since then, though. Let me know if I am wrong.

I am enthralled with the architecture of Vancouver's Library Square. Why can't we have buildings like that in Ottawa, instead of the standard Corn Flakes boxes? The only one that would compare is the PSAC Building. To be fair, though, many of the newer tall buildings downtown are very pleasant to look at and are wonderful additions to the skyline. Can't say that for all of them, though.

Maybe we could demolish the DND building and replace it with an attractive Central Library that would complement the Congress Centre?

No longer talking about book rentals . The new deal is you can take out books on a City Library card. I think you would still have to return them Morrisset. Possibly this could change when the servers of the two libraries are integrated and they can better track where all the books from both instituitions are.

DND has talked about getting out of that building for years. Security wise it is not a good location for a security sensitive dept like DND.Alas, it does not seem like this is going to happen for a long time.
Agree with KHOOLE that this would be a wonderful location for a main library. Great for both the public and the uOttawa community.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Here is the current agreement on borrowing rights from Morrisset for Ottawa Public Library members. I found it on the uOttawa web site.

Members of the Ottawa Public Library (16 years of age and over) in good standing may register to borrow.

There is no registration fee.

Come to the Circulation Desk with a signed Sm@rtLibrary card which you have obtained from any Ottawa Public Library branch, a proof of address and photo identification.

Your registration is for a one year period. If your registration expires and you wish to renew your borrowing privileges you will need to bring a new signed Smart@Library card to the Circulation Desk.

You may check out up to 4 books at any one time for a period of two weeks and self-renew up to 2 times.

Borrowed books must be returned to University of Ottawa, NOT your home library.

Privileges do not include interlibrary loan services, placing holds, and borrowing audiovisual and multimedia documents

[KHOOLE]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

Here is the current agreement on borrowing rights from Morrisset for Ottawa Public Library members. I found it on the uOttawa web site.

Thank you very much. That's good information. I didn't know that renewals were allowed.
Thinking about a Ottawa Central Library east of the Laurier Bridge and wondering about the present site on Metcalfe which is very convenient for office workers downtown.
Yorkville Library in Toronto is a 100+ years old (Late Victorian or Edwardian?) that has historical designation and is situated just half a block of the Toronto Metropolitan Library at Bloor & Yonge. Going inside is going back in time and yet it is still very much in use.
Maybe Ottawa could built a new Central library and still retain the Metcalfe one that has retained the stained glass window from way back when. It is no longer big enough to be a central library but is still very useful for an uptown clientele.