RDH, in association with Shoalts & Zaback Architects and ERA Architects, were recently commissioned to renovate, restore and expand the existing Heritage Library, doubling its size to meet the current Toronto public Library Standards of a District Library. The new design retains the main public entrance at its existing location, but in order to meet current barrier-free standards the exterior and interior stairs will be removed and the public will now enter at the lowest level, approximately 450mm below the elevation of the existing public sidewalk. The addition is designed as a complementary foil to the Heritage building, with large areas of glass facing Bloor Street, a main commercial street in downtown Toronto, expressing a more current idea of a library as an open and engaging community meeting place. Library program components include a children's section, teen area, computer access centre, open study carrels, quiet study areas, group study rooms, lounge areas with soft seating, large and small meeting rooms, and a significantly expanded book, magazine and media collection. The expanded and restored Library is scheduled to reopen in the Spring of 2007.
