Virtual Tour of Central Library

Come and reDiscover Your Library!

Burlington's Central Park has been home to the Library since 1970, with additional space added in 1975. Over time the building was no longer able to meet the expectations of customers and staff. For example, it was difficult to add new technologies, there was a lack of space for existing collections and no space to add new collections. As well, the parking was inadequate and the building had poor accessibility both inside and out.

Central Library Project Facts & Figures

Overall cost of the project: $13.2 million primarily funded through the City of Burlington including a net fundraising target of $800,000.
Construction began September 2003 with the demolition of about 3,000 square feet.
20,000 square foot addition for a total of 64,000 square feet - overall an increase of 35%.
19% growth in meeting room space - we now have 2 meeting rooms and Centennial Hall and 2 program rooms in the Children's Department.
100% disabled access - all washrooms, service desks, special computer workstations.
Public washroom on every floor.
More public Internet computers.
Technology training room for customers and staff.
40% growth in the Children's area.
40% growth in the (adult) Information Services area.
98% growth in the Young Adult area.
100% increase in parking - parking for 190 cars
Many new visual connections to the park throughout the building, easier access to the park from the new west entrances and from the patio area.
Many upgrades to the roads and landscaping surrounding the library, in cooperation with the City Parks and Recreation Department Public.
Photocopiers available on every floor.

First Floor Highlights

2 new entrances - south entrance from New Street and the Curling Club parking lot, North entrance from the totally redesigned and expanded parking lot.
Entrance foyer which allows visitors to the building to easily identify what part of the building they wish to visit. ????
A new Café will be located in the large bright hallway that runs the length of the building between the 2 entrances.
New Administration area with reception area and offices.
Meeting Room (Holland Room) and the Board Room (Frank Rose Room).
Centennial Hall has been renovated.
Public washrooms on every floor.
New public elevator.
Grand staircase is a focal point between all 3 floors.
Circulation area - check-in and check-out and 2 self check-out units for those who prefer to do things themselves.
Holds pick-up area conveniently located by the Circulation Desk.
Technology Training Room (Ron Ness Training Room) - offering training on computer basics, the Internet, our electronic resources and more - for adults, seniors, teens and kids. The room has 8 laptops and 1 instructor computer station.
Quiet Study Room with carrels for those who prefer a quiet work or study space.
Newspapers, magazines and large print books, located on the first floor to provide ease for the many users of these collections, all on new shelving. Relax in the lounge area and read your favourite magazine or newspaper.

Second Floor Highlights

Children's Department

New shelving for the collections.
New "kid-sized" furniture - study tables in 3 different sizes.
Computer workstations in smaller "kid-friendly" sizes (3 sizes?).
2 program rooms 100% accessible storytime.
Family washroom with a chair for nursing mothers.
Expanded and new collections.
New: theme kits for teachers and parents.
Circulating big books for teachers and parents.
Superstar titles - the hottest children's books get their own space. All other collections expanded and enhanced.
Discovery Centre - special area for preschoolers complete with:
- Puppet theatre
- Dress up corner
- Tables for crafts, puzzles
- 2 preschoolers' PC workstations with special games installed?
- Comfy couch and chair for a story
- Bookcase with books for sharing with your child
- Television/DVD/VCR machine for children? to watch movies in the Library
- Awesome quote on the wall from Dr. Seuss

Information Services

Non-fiction collection
A/V Collection
New Business Periodical Collection
Burlington History Room
Microfilm readers
New shelving - great new periodical shelves
Men's and women's washrooms
Lounge seating
More study space featuring carrels, tables and comfy chairs
All non-fiction materials are on the shelves in numerical (Dewey) order
Public Internet workstations
Reading alcoves with comfy furniture
New Business Resource Collection for small business
New ESL collection - to come shelved in its own area for ease of use and visibility
Expanded collections - books, magazines and audio-visual
New, larger Burlington History Room - new partnership? with the Burlington Historical Society

Third Floor Highlights

Expanded fiction collection - both hardcover and paperback.
Expanded multilingual collection complete with DVDs, including French.
Talking books for visually impaired - customers can phone ahead and staff will take their books to the circulation area for pickup.
Teen area - a great new place for teens to hang out, study and read with a 98% increase in space, new furniture, shelving, magazine stand, spinner racks. A new collection of books on CD.
Public Internet workstations.
Family washroom.
Study areas.

In addition to all these great changes look for exciting new programming at Central for Children, Teens and Adults. There are many exciting programs being offered to highlight our collections, entertain customers and welcome you back to YOUR Library.

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