WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? Library project in Richmond Hill

Oak Ridges branch will have maker space, areas for meetings, study and kids' programming

Stockhouse.com
October 11, 2018
Simone Joseph

The Oak Ridges library project is 90 per cent complete.

This is a joint project between the Town of Richmond Hill and Richmond Hill Public Library. The Oak Ridges Moraine Library promises a range of community library services that cannot be provided in the current facility.

Just the facts

• The new Oak Ridges Library is at the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Regatta Avenue.

• Construction of the library began in 2016.

• The two-storey, 19,000 square-foot facility will include meeting rooms for public and library use, a children’s program room, computer room, expanded library collection of books and magazines for all ages, study and meeting rooms, and dedicated areas for children, tweens, teens and adults.

• The new library will also include a maker-space room where customers can learn about technology, crafts and other kinds of ‘making,” and share their knowledge and skills. Unique to the Oak Ridges Library, the maker space will have workshops, planned programming and free play. It will include audio-visual equipment, iMac creation station computers, a memory lab for conversion of slides and photographs to digital formats, a DIY Artisan Zone with a vinyl cutter, laser cutter and engraver, and a 3D printer.

• The new library will offer an expanded selection of programs, collections and services to the community and renew customers’ library experiences. It will serve as a vibrant community hub in one of the fastest-growing areas of Richmond Hill.

• The project’s approved budget is $11,863,000.