about re:vitalize

re:vitalize

re:vitalize – the Toronto Reference Library Campaign is a $10 million fundraising campaign being led by the Toronto Public Library Foundation in support of the $34 million renovation of the Toronto Reference Library. Combined with confirmed funding support from the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario, the re:vitalize Campaign provides a unique opportunity for all Torontonians to join in an important
city building project.

Our vision is to help Toronto Public Library recreate the Toronto Reference Library
as our city's foremost public centre for life-long learning, the exchange of ideas and community engagement.

Revitalization of the Toronto Reference Library began in 2007, and is scheduled for completion in 2012. When completed, the revitalized Toronto Reference Library will achieve the following outcomes for library users:

The Bram and Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library

State-of-the-art event space at the centre of the city

A new 16,800 square foot event space will provide premiere public space for cultural programming, civic discourse and community engagement at the heart of the city. Comprised of three magnificent natural light-filled spaces, The Bram and Bluma Appel Salon will be a place where residents can enjoy rich cultural programming that is accessible, compelling and engaging. When not in use for library programs, the space will be available for rent for corporate and social events.

Features:

Three versatile natural light-filled spaces which can be used together as one large space, or spaces can be used separately
Capacity: 595 auditorium, 500 standing, 440 dining
Two outdoor terraces and full catering kitchens
Equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology to accommodate a wide range of uses.

Architectural Renderings: Moriyama & Teshima Architects

A new Glass Entrance Cube, Yonge Street Façade Expansion and a Revitalized Exhibition Gallery Space

Reaching out to the community through captivating transparent elements

Through its revitalization program, the Toronto Reference Library is creating a dynamic interface between the Library and its community, connecting the Library's interior more directly to the street, and the public to the services inside.

Features:

Glass Entrance Cube nearly 3 storeys tall and visible from all directions.
An expanded and revitalized Gallery Space that will better enable visitors to engage and interact with the Library's Special Collections.
An expanded browsery will include a new information centre – a 12-screen Global Connect wall with information feeds from all over the world.
A glass wall running the entire length of the Yonge street façade.
New cafe and Library Retail Store at street-level.

Architectural Renderings: Moriyama & Teshima Architects

A new Special Collections Rotunda

Bringing the whole of the Library's Special Collections together in one place

A spectacular 2-storey Rotunda will be constructed on the Library's 5th Floor as a new home for the Library's 1.9 million item Special Collections. Reminiscent of the great reading rooms of libraries past, the rotunda will bring prominence and increased accessibility to the Library's vast and inspiring Special Collections.

Features:

Bringing the Special Collection together: For the first time, the Library will be able to house all its Special Collections in a single space, providing more opportunities for students, artists and historians to explore, uncover and rediscover Canada's and Toronto's historical and cultural records.
Increasing the prominence and accessibility of the Special Collections: Currently only 8% of the library's collection is on permanent display; while accessible, most of the collection remains closed to the public due to space limitations and conservation controls. This revitalization will triple the number of works on permanent display.
Conserving and protecting these valuable works: Enhanced conservation features, including specialized lighting, climate controls and custom building materials, ensure preservation of the collection for future generations.

Architectural Renderings: Moriyama & Teshima Architects

Flamingo, The Birds of America: from Original Drawings,1826-1838, John James Audubon.
Portrait of John Graves Simcoe, 1791. Jean Laurent Mosnier. Gift of Sir R. Leicester Harnsworth.
Septentrionalium Terrarum Descripto, Gerard Mercator, Amsterdam: Jodocus Hondius, 1613. Gift of George Weston Ltd.
Broadside: Government notice describing the duties of those granted land on Yonge Street, December 29, 1798.
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle. In Beeton's Christmas Annual [London]: Ward, Lock [1887].

Enhanced Research and Study Areas

Spaces to support the new ways people seek, study and share information

The revitalization of the Reference Library will see innovative reconfiguration of study and research spaces on the second to fourth floors of the building. Subject departments will be refocused, rethought and realigned, making reference information and resources more accessible and usable. Individual and collaborative study spaces will be flexible, adaptable – even portable – to better facilitate exploration, discovery and information exchange. And custom furniture, open spaces and dramatic sight lines will allow for quiet reflection or serendipitous discovery.

Features:

Collaborative learning environments such as the Learning Theatre for group presentations, or the Funky Café for small-group meetings and project collaborations.
15 free-standing translucent study pods which will ensure secure, comfortable and quiet study for groups of two.
Modular, portable furniture that will allow users to adapt the space to their different needs.
Idea Gardens, located on each of the Library floors, will function as spaces for reflection and inspiration. Examples include the Living Wall, the Idea Wall, and others.

Architectural Renderings: Moriyama & Teshima Architects

New and innovative technology

Optimizing connectivity and collaboration

New communication tools, more research stations and refurbished listening and learning labs will connect the public to Library resources, and marry the Library's new spaces with technology to enable individual and collaborative study, discovery and information exchange.

Features:

140 new internet-enabled workstations will expand access and serve growing demand.
40 interactive audio visual learning stations will be outfitted with the latest interactive learning technology and will be available for ESL language study and music research.
A 12-screen Global-Connect Wall on the main floor will offer up-to-the-minute news and business information from around the world.
A series of large-scale digital display devices, called the Communications Tech Tree, will provide way-finding and program information, and will showcase multi-media art installations and the Special Collections.
Increased digital displays and projection throughout the building, enhancing the Library's ability to communicate and connect the public with resources, programming and collections within the building.

Architectural Renderings: Moriyama & Teshima Architects