halifax central library public library halifax nova scotia corner spring garden road queen street serves flagship library replacing spring garden road memorial library new central library discussed library administrators decades approved regional council architects joint venture local firm mitchell denmark chosen international design competition construction began later year prominent downtown site parking lot half century new library opened december highly popular gathering place addition book collection significantly larger library new building houses wide range amenities including auditorium community rooms striking architecture characterised fifth floor entrance plaza central crossed building transparency relationship urban context library won lieutenant governor design award architecture history planning spring garden road main library opened considered inadequate library administrators decades report mentioning replacement building published expansion built quickly assessment noted spaces self contained study space comfortable reading areas presently focus public complaint services cramped crowded mid-1990s municipalities halifax amalgamated new regional library board created merged libraries agreed new central library needed serve new halifax regional library system site remain present downtown area cited numerous problems original building addition small size square metres technological improvements hampered poor difficulty laying cable mid floor locations accessibility poor numerous stairs levels elevator problems building included leaks windows lack system inadequate climate control ceilings low lack numerous services found modern libraries following merger new library board undertook extensive planning new facility hope new central library commemoration anniversary city library board commissioned architectural study released recommending new central library approximately square metres concluding renovation existing library result significant cost savings lead efficient building furthermore recommended building new library different site order avoid costly temporary relocation study considered different sites new library recommended lot queen municipal parking lot projected cost construction short million prices recommendation new library echoed needs assessment master plan study overall library system central library identified priority library board terms capital development implementation recommended study found agreement survey respondents library located downtown halifax core region anticipated area growth regional plan following demolition nearby planning public consultation began spring garden road queen street joint public lands study order determine future vacant public lands area lot directly prime intersection closely considered site new central library justice centre consolidating courthouse facilities city site occupied army commandant house 19th century demolished remained parking lot 21st century june regional council voted approve principle designation property corner spring garden road queen street site central library initiate negotiations acquisition land province negotiations concluded january resulted land swap municipality acquired queen site province exchange queen george streets lands plus million recognition higher value owned land august regional council voted approve library project principle direct municipal staff develop financial plan project april council passed motion advance library project federal fund financed projects jointly local governments resulted million contribution federal government architect selection public architects new library chosen international competition design contract worth million architectural teams partnership local non local firm winning scheme joint venture danish firm selected march teams library governance stated sought involve people possible public consultation process new central library suggested coast weekly newspaper emphasis public involvement reaction negative public response proposed redesign partial destruction hurricane juan early planning undertaken public consultation phases public meetings workshops held following selection design architects final design unveiled architects fifth meetings november final public event held pier november war memorial issue spring garden road memorial library named status war memorial displays commemorative artefacts including books remembrance containing names thousands residents gave lives world war second world war korean war page turned book remembrance day display building contains plaque reading building erected memory gave lives defence country faith courage sacrifice remember residents voiced concern closure building war memorial effectively disappear local author historian questioned term memorial carried new building proposed halifax memorial library appropriate wartime sacrifices pushed aside forgotten worried fate historical artefacts display resident suggested concerns given consideration public consultation process library management responded war commemoration incorporated local history section library remembrance books joined recognizing died conflicts following korean war stated elements existing wartime display flags standards transferred admiralty house books remembrance display glass case local history room construction opening construction began archaeological dig undertaken evaluate remains land originally purchased duke kent based city order command british forces north_america subsequent british commanders took residence house built described residence hosted members visits colony destroyed fire rebuilt british left early 20th century structure demolished acquired site remained parking lot half century meaning foundation older structures preserved asphalt stands contrast site door deep foundation rendered site insignificant addition foundation residence archaeological dig uncovered numerous small artefacts including china nova scotia penny construction library began shortly following excavation blasting underground car park foundation poured library hosted tour journalists officials levels government halifax mayor stated new library simply nice important critical future city city succeed need invested knowledge economy need ensure citizens access forms learning total cost building million million came federal government million provincial government remainder million municipality municipal contribution primarily generated sale lots library site library completed late following transfer materials library street closed august opened public saturday december estimated visitors enjoyed day performances festivities weeks operation saw visitors collectively checked items design reception library storey structure comprising square metres space designed accommodate book collection cent larger spring garden memorial library crossed stairs spans interior height structure main lobby children collection concentrated lower floors upper floors designated quiet areas rooftop terrace seating offers broad view downtown south end design said resemble stack books garnered international attention featured cnn eye new buildings building topped list high design libraries compiled covered numerous architecture websites best halifax awards ranked annually readers coast library voted best thing happen halifax past year best effort improve halifax structural civil engineer awarded engineering better canada award work library building world building year award civic community category world architecture festival singapore selected library receive award merit lieutenant governor design awards architecture award presented awards jury commented doubt new transform discussion contemporary architecture halifax building past years real catalyst local public architectural conversation halifax program location reconstructed way locals visitors interact building filled knowledge architect stated library sees average visitors daily huge increase patronage spring garden road memorial library programme library fully wheelchair accessible multiple elevators public use computers dedicated computer lab wireless internet conference community rooms automatic belt system links book drops dedicated room handled books july library open design central location enables host community events festivals year operation served venue major annual halifax events including word street hosted duke edinburgh award ceremony november attended building houses café spaces ground level fifth floor patrons café access rooftop area housed portion building overlooking spring garden road living room designed indoor public space views civic square ground floor café corner building nearest intersection opens earlier rest library concession operate spaces won café herring cove beat second cup uncommon grounds holds year contract option additional seven years ground floor space main café offerings herring cove location smaller upstairs café serves light plans hold art related panel discussions library year artwork following request proposals seeking signature public artwork incorporated new library painter alumnus awarded commission proposal produce miniature paintings medium density cut size old library catalog index cards worked curator door ended producing total paintings divided installations ground floor comprises paintings main reception paintings eye colour books leaning living room fifth floor smaller installation titled book shelf paintings library cards paintings cover variety themes subjects including landscapes portraits abstract pieces history libraries artist joked grey landscapes remind stay indoors nova scotia read said portraits staff spring garden road halifax north memorial libraries photographed painted subsequently recognized subjects stated library commission biggest installation date auditorium ground floor houses seat auditorium serves reading space use performances library ceo stated space complement recording studio geared young people planned library people music place perform auditorium named paul hall following million donation family honour late businessman philanthropist government funding covered cost building donations expanding book collection purchasing new computers special equipment hall fitted seats acoustic ceiling video screen professional sound lighting installations hall boasts grand piano donated local philanthropist musician environmental building design aims achieve certification incorporating energy water saving design features harvesting water building management use local species landscape design automatic lighting control low interior finishes improve indoor air quality green policy seeks reduce exposure occupants library supports use public transportation active transportation virtue central location dense district served numerous bus routes providing bike parking programming floor transportation library accessible public bus transit located spring garden road served numerous halifax transit bus routes routes provide service midnight daily route provides service minute
Halifax Central Library