Public can give feedback on plans

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Renovations and expansion are in the works for Toronto Public Library's Brentwood Branch.

Cheryl Skovronek, Bloor, Brentwood, and Richview area manager of the Toronto Public Library said the Brentwood Branch has been chosen because of the need for a larger more accessible building.

"The library has a program, there are 99 facilities. We decide on what needs work first, it's a process by which we assess building needs," Skovronek said.

Skovronek said the budget for the new building comes from the city's capital budget and is set to cost $1.67M.

The branch is set for a 4,000 square-foot addition. The plans include a new elevator to allow accessibility to all levels in the building, as well as new washroom facilities. There will be a larger meeting room with a full kitchen for public use, a computer room with top of the line computers and quiet study rooms.

An urban living room will be developed and is set to have the most recent popular reading available, a long with CDs, magazines and DVDs.

Skovronek said the idea of the urban living room is to make the library a place where people can stop and enjoy themselves, rather than get in and out quickly.

Another new element that will be added is the express check in and out lanes.

Skovronek said this will give people the option to check themselves in and out or to use the librarian as a means to check in and out.

Skovronek said the library is a busy one and that the branch isn't threatened by the Internet and the all of the information that is readily accessible.

"It's interactive here," said Skovronek. "People can talk to the staff."

She said she hopes the expansion and renovations will help increase traffic in the library, especially families with children.

Skovronek said teenagers will benefit from the expansion as well because of a new teen zone.

On Oct. 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Brentwood will have an open house for the community to come look at the plans for the library and will have the opportunity to give the staff of the Toronto Public Library and the Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. feedback on the expansion and renovation.

"We'll have the renovation plans for people to look at," Skovronek said. "We want to hear from the public." Renovations are set to begin in the spring of 2009. For more information visit www.torontopubliclibrary.ca.