Halifax Central Library opens to much fanfare - Halifax | Globalnews.ca
HALIFAX – Hundreds of people streamed through and packed Halifax’s newest library on Saturday.
The Central Library on Spring Garden Road has been hotly anticipated for the last few months, and on Saturday it held its official grand opening.
Families and bookworms gathered in the plaza as the minutes ticked away before the doors opened.
“The new building for the library is really interesting to look it. It looks like it has the potential [to live up to all the hype],” said Chad Fudge as he waited to go in.
Alexandra Charters clutched three books as she stood outside before the opening.
“I’m returning them because the library is finally opening,” she said with a laugh. “I think it will be really great for the city.”
Library staff who were inside eagerly awaited for the doors to open, with some peering out at the crowd from the windows.
When the first guests streamed in, it seemed many were stunned by what they saw.
“This is fantastic,” said William Gorman. “It’s absolutely wonderful.”
“I’m really impressed,” said Jesse Henderson, 10. “I was shocked that it’s really big and just the inside of it is shocking.”
Many people took the time to peruse the stacks and check out book titles but 10-year-old Kyle Smith already had a pile of books under his arm a few minutes after the grand opening.
“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “I thought it was pretty dang impressive.”
There are five floors of literary reads with comfy couches on each floor. Melinda Cameron said she is impressed by the open space.
“The old library was really crowded. I’m looking forward to all the new spaces for people to get together,” Cameron said.
“We’ve only just started looking and everything is just so well designed and beautiful. It’s everything we thought it would be.”
Jen Wheatley plopped down into a couch and quickly immersed herself into a book.
“It’s a little corny but I can say to my kids, ‘Yeah I was there when it opened’,” she said.
“I’m just excited to have a great space. It’s peaceful.”
Jim Rossiter attended the grand opening with his two young kids, who were almost more excited than he was about the new building.
“For months now, they’ve been asking if we can come here. Their goal is to spend the whole day here,” he said.
The new library has been years in the making and has undergone months of preparation, but Haligonians say the wait was worth it.
“It’s very comfortable. It’s like being inside the living room I’ve always wanted,” Rossiter said. “I fully expected it will live up to its hype and that’s what happened here today.”
“It’s just so nicely built,” said Katelyn Richards. “It’s great because it’s actually getting people excited about the library again.”
Halifax Public Library CEO Asa Kachan said she was overwhelmed by the public reaction.
“This is the people’s library. It really is a space that we are tremendously proud of,” she said.
Kachan said she expects approximately 900,000 people will come through the library doors in its first year.
The library cost $57.6 million to build and had support from all three levels of government.
Images and videos found on above link.
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Halifax Central Library opens to the public
Four hundred pairs of safety scissors were given out for the community ribbon cutting for the building's grand opening.
"We're not a book warehouse. There's no 'Shh' anymore. This will be a place for people to make it whatever they want it to be," said Bruce Gorman last month, director of central library and regional services at Halifax Public Libraries.
"It'll be an icon, a beacon for our city, like the Eiffel Tower is for Paris."
He said libraries are changing — and the one in Halifax is unique.
"When you walk into a library you wouldn't normally think you can grab a coffee, log onto our Wi-Fi and watch the sunset on a patio," said Gorman.
CBC’s Anjuli Patil is there. Follow her as she live tweets the opening.
Sounds pretty impressive.
HALIFAX – Hundreds of people streamed through and packed Halifax’s newest library on Saturday.
The Central Library on Spring Garden Road has been hotly anticipated for the last few months, and on Saturday it held its official grand opening.
Families and bookworms gathered in the plaza as the minutes ticked away before the doors opened.
“The new building for the library is really interesting to look it. It looks like it has the potential [to live up to all the hype],” said Chad Fudge as he waited to go in.
Alexandra Charters clutched three books as she stood outside before the opening.
“I’m returning them because the library is finally opening,” she said with a laugh. “I think it will be really great for the city.”
Library staff who were inside eagerly awaited for the doors to open, with some peering out at the crowd from the windows.
When the first guests streamed in, it seemed many were stunned by what they saw.
“This is fantastic,” said William Gorman. “It’s absolutely wonderful.”
“I’m really impressed,” said Jesse Henderson, 10. “I was shocked that it’s really big and just the inside of it is shocking.”
Many people took the time to peruse the stacks and check out book titles but 10-year-old Kyle Smith already had a pile of books under his arm a few minutes after the grand opening.
“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “I thought it was pretty dang impressive.”
There are five floors of literary reads with comfy couches on each floor. Melinda Cameron said she is impressed by the open space.
“The old library was really crowded. I’m looking forward to all the new spaces for people to get together,” Cameron said.
“We’ve only just started looking and everything is just so well designed and beautiful. It’s everything we thought it would be.”
Jen Wheatley plopped down into a couch and quickly immersed herself into a book.
“It’s a little corny but I can say to my kids, ‘Yeah I was there when it opened’,” she said.
“I’m just excited to have a great space. It’s peaceful.”
Jim Rossiter attended the grand opening with his two young kids, who were almost more excited than he was about the new building.
“For months now, they’ve been asking if we can come here. Their goal is to spend the whole day here,” he said.
The new library has been years in the making and has undergone months of preparation, but Haligonians say the wait was worth it.
“It’s very comfortable. It’s like being inside the living room I’ve always wanted,” Rossiter said. “I fully expected it will live up to its hype and that’s what happened here today.”
“It’s just so nicely built,” said Katelyn Richards. “It’s great because it’s actually getting people excited about the library again.”
Halifax Public Library CEO Asa Kachan said she was overwhelmed by the public reaction.
“This is the people’s library. It really is a space that we are tremendously proud of,” she said.
Kachan said she expects approximately 900,000 people will come through the library doors in its first year.
The library cost $57.6 million to build and had support from all three levels of government.
Images and videos found on above link.
--------------------
Halifax Central Library opens to the public
Four hundred pairs of safety scissors were given out for the community ribbon cutting for the building's grand opening.
"We're not a book warehouse. There's no 'Shh' anymore. This will be a place for people to make it whatever they want it to be," said Bruce Gorman last month, director of central library and regional services at Halifax Public Libraries.
"It'll be an icon, a beacon for our city, like the Eiffel Tower is for Paris."
He said libraries are changing — and the one in Halifax is unique.
"When you walk into a library you wouldn't normally think you can grab a coffee, log onto our Wi-Fi and watch the sunset on a patio," said Gorman.
CBC’s Anjuli Patil is there. Follow her as she live tweets the opening.
Sounds pretty impressive.