Opening to the public in the City’s new Inspire facility on September 24, longtime users of Airdrie Public Library (APL) will be amazed at what the move from 13,000 to 53,000 sq. ft. can do for one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities.
While the Inspire facility is architecturally beautiful, the library within its walls evokes a sense of joy. As you enter through the Inspire atrium, you are engulfed by a spacious and welcoming Community Livingroom that overlooks Main Street. Here, visitors can find the main Customer Service desk or gather around the water-vapour fireplace before entering the first floor.
The library’s second floor is accessed by an elevator or from the atrium via the grand staircase, with its unique art installation of globes high overhead entitled Landscapes of the Imagination. The installation is apropos to what the new library brings to the community — a place where imagination meets possibility.
Through the generous donations of thousands of Airdronians, Alberta businesses and organizations, APL has doubled its physical collection from 80,000 to 160,000 items. The vast majority are books for all ages and interests, but the Library of Things has also grown. This eclectic collection includes yard games, electric tools, household items, gaming consoles, computers and much more.
Of course, the expanded collection is only part of what the new library offers. There are two floors: children and youth on the first, and teens and adults on the second. Each has multiple rooms available for programming and public use. But, more than this, it means there is finally enough space to make even the most diehard user of the old library weep with joy. There are program rooms, play areas, tablets, and nooks for family or friends to cuddle up and read together.
The teen and adult floor has abundant seating and tables, especially along the west end facing a balcony that overlooks Nose Creek. There are dozens of public computers and study nooks, and the teen gaming area, which as any patron knows will be abuzz with youthful exuberance, has funky-looking ceiling décor that acts as noise dampeners.
Adult patrons finally have what they wished they’d had years ago — a quiet room. This pleasant west/north-facing area has plenty of natural light, a water-vapour fireplace, lots of comfy seating and, best of all, it is quiet.
The library also has spaces for explorers and the inquisitive, no matter their age. Which means that each floor has its own Create Space. In these powered-up rooms, you’ll find 3D printers, a laser cutter, STEM kits, a recording studio and all the inspiration needed to satisfy the most fervent of imaginations.
As for the rooms, there are 11; some for booking, others for drop-in. These are for programs, for patrons to study, for clubs to meet or for anyone wanting to host a meeting.
APL has always been a vibrant community gathering space, now more so than ever before.
Inspire is located at 803 Main St. S. For more information on APL programming, visit yourapl.ca.
