Bloor/Gladstone Branch reopens tomorrow at 12 noon
Attention: Assignment Desks, Toronto Press Gallery, Photo Editors, Camera Schedulers, Architectural Columnists
Bloor/Gladstone Branch reopens tomorrow at 12 noon
A heritage gem returns to the community
Toronto (Wednesday, July 22, 2009) One of Toronto’s oldest operating libraries will reopen tomorrow, Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 12 noon. Toronto Public Library Board Chair Matthew Church and City Librarian Jane Pyper will be on hand to personally welcome back the community.
What: Grand opening of Bloor/Gladstone Branch
Where: 1101 Bloor St. West, a ½ block east of Dufferin St. on the south side of Bloor Street West.
When: Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 12 noon (Doors open) 12:30 p.m. (Official ceremony)
Who: Toronto Public Library Board Chair Matthew Church
Chief Librarian Jane Pyper
Peter Ortved, Board Chair, Heritage Toronto
Local Councillor Adam Giambrone
This beautiful landmark branch features many exciting enhancements for the public to enjoy:
- In with the old, In with the new: A completed renovated facility, contrasting a beautiful and historically important Toronto building, with a striking modern addition.
- A much larger library: The new glass addition will add over 9,000 square feet, featuring a two storey curtain wall providing a dynamic street presence with views in to and out of the library.
Longer hours: Bloor/Gladstone Branch will now open at 9 a.m. Monday to Friday, an increase of five hours per week. - A library that is easier to use: Complete barrier-free accessibility to the building including the front entrance, all collections and lounge areas, community rooms, family and public washrooms, express check in and check out.
- State of the art technology: A new Le@rning Centre, 44 computers throughout the branch (an 158% increase), WI-FI internet access and CD listening stations.
- More to enjoy: 70,000 new books, CDs, magazines and DVDs.
- Your home away from home: Indoor and outdoor reading lounges for adults, children and teens including two restored fireplaces and striking views to the street , a vibrant teen zone with a large screen TV .
- More meeting space for the community: Meeting room and four group study rooms.
- A greener building: A new environmentally friendly green roof, an enclosed outdoor reading garden, expanded outdoor landscaping consisting of four Sugar Maple, two Silver Maple, four Red Maple four Red Oak and three London Plane, and two Common Hackberry a total of 19 new trees on site.
The renovation and expansion of Bloor/Gladstone Branch is part of Toronto Public Library’s ongoing building renovation program. In 2009, Torontonians benefited from the opening of a new Jane/Sheppard Branch (April 2), the expanded Kennedy/Eglinton Branch (June 25) and now Bloor/Gladstone Branch. A fourth grand opening for Thorncliffe Branch is scheduled for Fall 2009, also after a major renovation and expansion.
Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system. Every year, more than 16 million people visit our 99 branches and borrow almost 30 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131.
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Media Contact:
Edward Karek, Communications Officer, 416-397-5925
[email protected]
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