It was my first time to visit the new Halifax Central Library. The space is spectacular with the central staircases creating angles and patterns of light and shadow and giving the overall effect of expansiveness and encouraging exploration.
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- Halifax library Staircases
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- Halifax Central Library Spring Garden Road
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- Halifax library Paul O’Reagan Hall
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- Halifax library Cliff Eyland Art Installation
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- Halifax Central Library Spring Garden Road Courtyard
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- Halifax library 1st Floor Magazines
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- Halifax library Light and Shadows entrance
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- Halifax library rooftop green space
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- Halifax library view from 5th floor reading area
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- Halifax library Study Pods
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- Halifax library conveyor book returm
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- Halifax library Light and Shadows
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- Halifax library Pavia Cafe
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- Computers in teens area
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- Halifax library Pavia Cafe
The 5 storeys are easily accessible via the elevators. I decided to start at the top and work my way down. The top floor has a green area roof garden with views of Halifax. The Pavia Gallery Espresso Bar and Café rooftop patio with outdoor and indoor tables make a great place for a snack or cup of coffee. Comfortable lounge chairs for reading with a view and the adult fiction section complete this floor.
Every floor has an information desk with helpful staff. Computers and study areas, a changing use of space on each of the floors make the space inviting and interesting.
On the fourth floor you find the local history room, African History and culture, and Adult non-fiction. Quiet reading and study areas and meeting rooms of various sizes that can be reserved are found throughout the library.
The third floor is the home of the First Nations Circle. Adult magazines, multilingual materials, a Literacy Collection are found on this floor.
The second floor includes the children’s and teens and preschool areas. A media studio and creative lab and many computers are throughout the area.
The first floor entrance way has the Pavia Gallery Espresso Bar on the right with a selection of food and drink. To the left is a large comfortable reading area with magazines and selected collections for easy browsing. The art installation of 5000 paintings on the size of the traditional library card is amazing. These are all by the artist Cliff Eyland. The Paul O’Reagan Hall (seating 307) hosts events and performances.
The Halifax Central Library is well worth a visit and if you live in the area a great community hub. It is wonderful to see such a community space in the heart of downtown Halifax and is not your traditional idea of a library.
More Information
- Cliff Eyland 5000 Paintings Project at Halifax Central Library
- Green Features of the Halifax Central Library
- Halifax Central Library Website
- Halifax Central Library Facebook
CBC Spark today had an interview with Cliff EYeland
Hanging 5,000 paintings the size of a smartphone at the new Halifax library – listen to the interview
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/spark/spark-270-1.2889937/hanging-5-000-paintings-the-size-of-a-smartphone-at-the-new-halifax-library-1.2889987