Komoka Library: a branch of Middlesex County Library

KOMOKA LIBRARYa branch of the Middlesex County Library systemsubmission for the OLA Library Building Award, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Komoka Librarylocated inside the Middlesex Centre Wellness and Recreation Complex

i. Library Statement

ii. Library Statement, cont’d

iii. Former Facility

iv. New Location

v. Site Plan

vi. Exterior (long shot)

vii. Exterior Entrance

viii. Exterior: Library &

Entrance Canopy

ix. Facility Ground Floor

x. Facility Second Floor

xi. Interior view from entrance

xii. Library Floor Plan (areas)

xiii. Library Floor Plan

(furniture and technology)

xiv. Major Public Services Position

xv. Typical User Area

xvi. Interior View

xvii. Interview View at Night

xviii.Staff Area

xix. Architectural Features

xx. Architectural Features

xxi. Design Statement

xxii. Environmental Advancements

xxiii.Cost Data

xxiv.Partnership Impact

i. LIBRARY STATEMENT


The new Komoka Library facility embodies the mission statement of Middlesex County Library: Informing, Enriching and Connecting Middlesex County.

The new facility provides ample space for resources, technology and learning opportunities, as well as room for people to interact, share ideas and connect with their community.

Planning this facility involved envisioning the library of the future, a process that transformed the Komoka Library from a space that housed text and information to a destination that supports ideas, creativity, and community-building. The tag line, “Komoka has a new living room,” was used in marketing materials promoting the launch of the new facility. With space to move and grow, the Komoka Library is a comfortable and welcoming space for Komoka and area residents.

ii. LIBRARY STATEMENT, continued


The new Komoka Library features seating and furniture elements that encourage the use of technology. Laptop stations flank two walls, and seating areas are located in proximity to electrical outlets for ease of use. The feature wall in the “Kids’ Zone” is the perfect backdrop for literacy stations for young children –pre-loaded with literacy-based games and activities, these computers are customized for our youngest patrons and their unique technology needs.

In the first year of operation, the Komoka Library experienced a 309% increase in circulation over the former location, and 1046 new library cards were issued. The library hosted 189 programs, which were attended by 4456 people. The community has embraced the new facility and all of the programs made possible by this project. With a reinvigorated design that combines functionality and comfort, the Komoka Library is uniquely positioned to welcome people through its doors into a true community gathering space.

iii. FORMER FACILITY


The former 1,100 sq. ft. location operated out of the Komoka & District

Community Centre for 30 years.

iv. NEW LOCATION



v. SITE PLAN

1. Wellness and Recreation Complex

2. Splash Pad

3. Play Structures

4. Entry Forecourt

5. Parking Lot

6. Shipping and Receiving

vi. EXTERIOR (LONG SHOT)


vii. EXTERIOR ENTRANCE


viii. EXTERIOR: LIBRARY & CANOPY


ix. FACILITY GROUND FLOOR


1. Atrium

2. Reception Area

3. Gymnasium

4. Gym Storage

5. Family Change Room

6. Male Change Room

7. Female Change Room

8. Public Washrooms

9. Municipal Offices

10. LIBRARY

11. Reading Garden (future)

12. Arena Viewing Area

13. Ice Pad

14. Concession

15. Change Room

16. First Aid Room

17. Sound Room

18. Referee Room

19. Facility Office

20. Zamboni Room

21. Mechanical Room

22. Refrigeration Room

x. FACILITY SECOND FLOOR


1. Atrium (open to below)

2. Gymnasium (open to below)

3. Viewing Area (open to below)

4. YMCA Fitness Centre

5. YMCA Office

6. Storage Room

7. Walking Track

8. Ice Pad

9. Viewing Area

10. Activity Room

11. Multi-Purpose Room

12. Servery

13. Public Washrooms

14. Offices

15. Storage

xi. INTERIOR VIEW FROM ENTRANCE



xii. LIBRARY FLOOR PLAN: areas

1. Portico

6. Circulation

Desk

7. Adult Section

8. Teen Zone

9. Program Room

10. Kids’ Zone

11. Fireplace

12. Librarian’s

Office

13. Work Room

14. Staff Room

15. Washroom

16. Storage Room

17. Book Drop

18. Hub Room

19. Electrical

Room

20. Internet

Stations (9)

21. Laptop Counter

22. Early Literacy

Computers (2)

20

21

22


xiii. LIBRARY FLOOR PLAN / furniture

xiv. MAJOR PUBLIC SERVICES POSITION


xv. A TYPICAL USER AREA


xvi. INTERIOR VIEW


xvii. INTERIOR VIEW AT NIGHT


xviii. STAFF AREA


xix. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES


The PlunketFoundation Program Room allows for use outside the operating hours of the library, with entrances inside the library and also into the facility’s main hallway.

xx. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES


The southern facing entrance is flooded with natural light and the floor-to-ceiling windows mirror those in the library space

xxi. DESIGN STATEMENT


The core ambition of the Middlesex Centre Community Wellness and Recreation Complex was to create

a new civic heart for the community and set a standard for sustainable development in the area.

The main program elements of the building include a twin pad arena, fitness centre and gymnasium, and

the Komoka Public Library. The program elements are expressed individually on the exterior, giving each

element their own identity, while breaking down the scale of the building as one approaches the main

entrance.

An extended canopy, with a cedar soffit, extends over the glazed and stone clad library volume, providing

material warmth and access to the main entrance while shading the Library from the high sun angle in the warmer months. Internally, the overall floor plan is organized around a simple circulation ‘T’ which unites

all of the program elements.

The Komoka Library is accessible from the main atrium, identified by a pair of large wood doors which

remain open during operating hours. Upon entry into the library, patrons are welcomed by the circulation

desk, highlighted by a warm wood ceiling, and a clear circulation path with the book stacks, Teen Zone,

and Programming Room on their left and a high sloped ceiling volume with computers, soft seating and

the Kids Zone arranged around a fireplace on their right.

Alison Hannay, Principal Architect

xxii. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANCEMENTS


Certified Four Green Globes under the Green Globes™ building assessment and rating system.

300 KW rooftop solar array, consisting of 1,078 Suntech solar modules. The electricity produced is sent into the power grid (not back into the building). The program provides revenue for the Municipality, via the Ontario Feed-in-Tarrif.

Refrigeration system designed to recycle 100% of the energy used to maintain the ice surface back into the building heating systems

Radiant floor heating throughout the main lobby, library and change rooms

Specialized glazing to control glare and heat gain

xxiii. COST DATA


In 2011, the annual operating budget was $2,476,469. The Komoka Library project represented 7% of this budget, with $165,000 spent on increasing collection size, equipment purchases and furnishings.

The library did not contribute to construction costs of the building, as Middlesex County Library leases facilities from the Lower Tier Municipality (Middlesex Centre).

Key areas of spending associated with this project in 2011:

• The collection size increased by 40% from the former location

• Open hours increased from twenty-six to forty hours per week

• The Komoka Library is now supervised by a full-time Professional Librarian

xxiv. PARTNERSHIP IMPACT


“The project has allowed the YMCA to become involved in a community that we had previously not served. The partnership has allowed for extensive cross-promotion of each other’s services and has also allowed the YMCA to deliver significantly enhanced programs. The ice pads and library allow us to provide unique and varied program offerings to our members.”-Michael Lampman

General Manager, Middlesex Centre YMCA

“The facility is a one-stop destination for community members. Sharing the facility allows for cross-programming opportunities, and we organize ongoing community events together. From a cost perspective, the facility has improved efficiencies with shared maintenance and operations staff.”- Scott MairsDirector of Community Services, Middlesex Centre

http://ymcawo.ca/

THANK YOU


Thank you for considering our application for the OLA Library Building Award.

submitted in partnership with:

Komoka Library: a branch of Middlesex County Library

Design

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