Revamped Riverdale library reopens
[attach]2771[/attach]Several hundred people flocked to the Riverdale Branch of the Toronto Public Library Oct. 2 to see the new look and to celebrate its history.
The branch, located at Broadview Ave. and Gerrard St. East turned 100 years old over the weekend.
The staff planned fun, book-loving activities throughout the day. Some of the highlights included a historical walking tour, a Chinese Lion Dance and family entertainment with local storyteller Sally Jaeger.
Elizabeth Gladney and her son attended to read and check out the renovations.
“It was a rainy day and we were looking for something to do,” she says.
They were both glad to see the library was re-opened Sept. 28.
Gladney says exposing her son to the public library is very important as a parent.
“To me, it is one of the most important activities you can introduce to a child,” she says. “I have been reading to him since day one, so books are a very important part of our lives.”
Some of the highlights from the retrofit, done by Quadrangle Architects Limited, include a marketplace area to feature high demand collections and be other displays, and a combined customer service desk with circulation and reference function for improved service and ergonomics.
Other enhancements include an expanded teen area with meeting space, reconfigured computer Learning Centre and increased study space in the Children’s Area.
Maggie Fung and her children use the library once a week. She was pleased to see the library is back open to the public.
“I think reading is important for starters, and the library has just such a welcoming environment and it is a great place for the kids to grow up,” she says. “There is just so much more to a library than books. There are programs, seminars and other activities for anyone who come here.”
Fung liked to see the community celebrating the library.
“It is extremely important for the library to be here because it brings the community together,” she says. “You just don’t see kids here, you see people of all ages here.”
