WE’RE OPEN!

The new Tommy Douglas Library had its soft opening today and staff report a high level of activity. Borrowers are queuing up at the new self-checkout machine and snapping up our new “playaways” – MP3 audiobooks that allow  you to just plug in your earbuds and play a book. Excited children are exploring the new kids computers (8 of them), study areas and realia benches. Adults are enjoying the light and colour, the comfortable seating, the plentiful computers and the ability to borrow books, DVDs, etc from their local branch once again.

Come on in and experience it for yourself! (and be kind to our harried staff…it’s really busy!)

The Kingsway Staff

Almost there…

The furniture is arriving and it looks great! Sorry no more inside pictures now until it’s all finished.

We’ll be moving the books over next week and we are hoping to be open to the public in early to mid- November.

Watch for opening ceremonies in the third week of November and keep your eyes out for a large “We’re Open” side in the windows facing Kingsway.

We’re looking forward to serving you in our new and beautiful branch!

The Tommy Douglas Library staff

Cooling of the new building

Recently a comment was made on several posts – “I didn’t see any reference to cooling the interior of the building during HOT weather. When it is 25 to 35 and humid outside what will keep the building cool and dryer inside? Just opening a window will not cool the space inside to a comfortable working temp.” I thought this was a sufficiently interesting question that I asked Derek Newby from CEI Architects to respond in a new post. Here is his reply:

The Library is not ‘air conditioned’ – there is no artificial (refrigerant-based) cooling system. It does however feature other strategies to address occupant comfort. This is typical of ‘green buildings’. There are a few reasons for this choice, and some strategies employed to address the comfort of the users. Since our climate is moderate, the periods of extreme weather that would be made more comfortable with air conditioning are relatively short. The capital cost of air conditioning equipment is large, and is difficult to justify considering the limited use throughout the year. Beyond that, the operating costs and energy expenditure for air conditioning are significant. Low energy buildings such as the library rely largely on passive measures to aid cooling. Very efficient active systems are also selectively used to augment the performance of the passive measures.

The passive measures that will aid in keeping the building cool during warm weather are integral to the form of the building. First, windows are extensively shaded from the outside to dramatically reduce the solar energy that passes into the building that causes heating. Second, the building’s structure is largely concrete, and is often exposed. The concrete acts to ‘store’ thermal energy, acting as a buffer to the rise in temperature throughout the day. Third, the roof surface is a combination of a highly reflective coating and a ‘green’ vegetated roof. The reflective roof rejects the solar energy from the sun, while the green roof, with its soil and planting, acts as a insulator to the interior. Fourth, there are windows that open throughout the building. In addition to the low level windows, a number of windows at the top of the building can be electrically opened. The height of the library, combined with the low and high windows, will act to create a stack effect, inducing a natural air flow in the library. Moving air is shown to aid in improving comfort during hot weather. Non of these passive measures use energy.

The active measures that will contribute to cooling involve using the building’s systems. The ventilation system may be operated not only to supply fresh air, but to induce airflow through the building. Ventilation air is supplied at the floor level in the library, allowing the air to pass through the layer of the building where people are (as opposed to overhead air delivery). While this air is not directly cooled, it does travel through the concrete floor of the library, which will be cooler than the outside air, reducing its temperature before it enters the library. The ventilation system may be operated during the night when outdoor temperatures are relatively cool, acting to cool the concrete structure while flushing warm air from the building.

Further, a geoexchange system is employed by the library, primarily for heating during the winter. However, the system can be adapted to be used in reverse should it be necessary. A number of underground wells surround the library, allowing the system to harvest the thermal energy in the soil. The soil remains a constant temperature year-round, and can be used to cool a fluid that is then used to cool the concrete floor slabs in the building.

Lastly, green buildings attempt not only to reduce energy consumption, but to ensure a relationship between the environment and the building. A greater range of comfort conditions are expected in the Library compared to buildings that are intended to maintain a steady-state.

Derek N. Newby, Dip. Plan., BA, M.Arch., OAA, MRAIC, LEED A.P.
CEI Architecture Interiors Planning

I admit to being skeptical at first when I read this,

New branch from Kingsway & Edmonds

having suffered through a few 30 degree plus days at the old branch – but I am told that the Semiahmoo Branch of Surrey Public Library – one of the first LEED certifiied libraries in BC – uses this method of cooling and it works very well. Think of the energy savings!

Deb Thomas, Deputy Chief Librarian

The old branch is closed!

Kingsway Branch 1962

The old Kingsway branch is now officially closed. After 47 years of bringing “stories, ideas and information” to  Burnaby residents (and many, including Michael J. Fox, who no longer live in Burnaby), the building will be retired from its work as a library.  It will temporarily be used by the Eastburn Community Centre staff while renovations take place on that facility.

A farewell party was held on Saturday, September 19 and memories, comments and kudos left by those who attended can be seen displayed in the windows of the old branch. Over 100 people attended. Thanks for helping us celebrate the good years in the old branch and the good years to come in the new one.

For those of you who are regular users of this branch – the book drops at the Kingsway Branch are still open so borrowed items can be returned there or to any other Burnaby Public Library branch.  When we are mostly moved over to the new branch, there will be signage at the old branch advising our borrowers of when the book returns will be officially closed at the old branch and all items should be returned to the Tommy Douglas Library at 7311 Kingsway (entrance off Walker).  Remember too that you can pick up reserved items at the Metrotown Branch at 6100 Willingdon Avenue.

Deb Thomas
Deputy Chief Librarian

Coming together inside the library too…

Shelves in South Side

Inside the new library, things are coming together, too. The shelves you see in the far end of this picture are for the adult books. We’ll have special shelving to accomodate our CDs and DVDs. You can also see in the far left corner a bit of the blue wall that will be shared by the Multipurpose Room and the Computer Lab. Stacked in the foreground are the rubber tiles destined for the floor in most areas. There will be carpeting under the book shelves and public computers.

Picture book area

In this picture, you can see the yellow wall that will be shared between the picture book area and the children’s program room. We are especially excited to have a designated children’s program room that will allow for more partnered and library-produced programs for children and families.

The rubber tile is already installed in this room but it’s hard to see for all the construction muck!

Thanks again to Kingsway Senior Clerk Kitty Younker for the photographs.

Getting closer daily

You can see from the picture that the outside of the building is nearing completion. Nearly all of the colourful windows are in place. I recently discovered that there will be coloured windows in the staff areas too – a nice touch! – and these will be the opening windows in these areas.

The inside is also coming along as the rooms take shape and colour and flooring is added. The window colours will be reflected inside with accent walls in robin’s egg blue, new leaf green, sunny yellow and a more muted purple called “periwinkle.”

Projected completion date for major construction is mid-September. Then there will be a couple of weeks of airing out and cleaning so that library staff and the movers can begin moving our books and other collections and the library furnishings into a clean building.

The current Kingsway branch will be open to the public for the last time in its role as a Burnaby Public Library branch on September 19th. The branch will then be closed for a time while staff prepare for and undertake the move to the new Tommy Douglas Library. We anticipate, barring any complications, re-opening in late October or early November.

We are all very excited as the move gets closer!

We have a name!

City Council has officially announced that the new branch will be called the Tommy Douglas Library in honour of this great Canadian. Tommy Douglas was a Member of Parliament for the federal riding of Burnaby-Coquitlam from 1962 to 1968. Council felt that naming the branch after Mr. Douglas recognized his national legacy as well as his contributions to Burnaby while an MP.

For more information on Tommy Douglas, see http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/top_ten/nominee/douglas-tommy-know.html

For further information on local reaction to the naming, see http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/burnabynewsleader/news/51235107.html

The building of the branch is progressing well. Opening will be slightly delayed and will likely be in late rather than early October. The Library Board and Kingsway staff have recently toured the building and excitement is growing.

From the front entrance looking south to Kingsway

A glimpse inside the new branch ….

Inside of the new branch - June 9, 2009

Construction is proceeding apace and on target! Shown in the picture at right is the open atrium that is the main part of the library. The checkout counter, information desk, reading lounge (with magazines and newspapers), public computers (except for the 12 in the computer lab), teen zone, study tables and adult and teen book and audio-visual shelves will all be in this open area.

Note the coloured panes of glass on the top windows which are now being installed – and imagine the sunlight pouring through them into the branch or the inside light glowing out through them at night.

Remember – we invite your comments!

Deb Thomas
Deputy Chief Librarian

Moving right along!

The new branch is taking shape and is still on target for completion in late summer, early fall. We’re getting seriously excited!

Inside for the first time

On Friday, February 27, we had our first tour of   the building under construction. The picture to the left is roughly from the front entrance looking out over the main part of the floor and toward our multipurpose room and computer lab. The lower roof above those rooms is where the green roof will be located. Special bracing ensures that the structure is strong enough to hold the earth, plants and water that will collect on the roof.

This picture shows the outside of what will be staff work areas and the staff lounge. Windows will be large for lots of natural light. The workroom is set up for efficiency and collegial interaction. There will also be a sorting room where returned items are checked in and put on trucks for re- shelving or in boxes for returning to other branches. New and donated items awaiting processing will also be shelved in this room. Offices for the Senior Clerk and the Branch Manager will also be in this area.

We are still on target for an opening this fall and staff are getting excited!

Deb Thomas
Deputy Chief