Surrey City Centre Public Library

The Surrey City Centre Library is the main branch of Surrey Libraries (Surrey, British Columbia's public library system). It was opened in September 2011 and replaced the Whalley Public Library. Part of a re-vitalization project for the City Centre area, the building was designed by late Bing Thom.[2] The library is located northwest of Surrey Central station in the Whalley / City Centre neighbourhood.

City Centre Library, Surrey Libraries
CountryCanada
TypePublic
Established2011
ArchitectBing Thom Architects
LocationSurrey, British Columbia
Coordinates49.19057°N 122.84936°W / 49.19057; -122.84936
Branch ofSurrey Libraries
Collection
Size100,000 items
Access and use
Circulation341,094
Other information
DirectorSurinder Bhogal, Chief Librarian[1]
WebsiteCity Centre Library
Map

Planning and construction
Main atrium

Part of a long-term re-vitalization effort by the City of Surrey, dubbed "Build Surrey", the City Centre branch library project was launched in 2009. It replaced the Whalley Public Library. The library is part of a new complex of buildings still under construction, including the City Centre shopping and education complex, a performing arts centre, and a new City Hall.[3] The design was awarded to Bing Thom Architects, who had designed the nearby City Centre complex as well as Vancouver-area buildings such as the University of British Columbia's Chan Centre. The total budget was set at $36 million; the provincial and federal governments each contributed $10 million with the remainder supplied by the city.[4] It is LEED Gold certified.

Faced with a short public consultation period, the architects used social media to gain input from the community. Through Facebook, Twitter, and a blog, respondents compiled an "ideasbook" of desired elements.[2] Construction finished in the summer of 2011, and the branch was opened to the public in September of that year.

Facilities

The library has 7,200 square metres (78,000 sq ft) of usable space spread over four floors.[3] Its 100,000-item collection of print materials is modest for a large urban library; the library is focused on community services such as language programs for Surrey's large immigrant population, youth and adult programs, and computer access.[3] The library features non-traditional facilities like a cafe, an iPad station for children, a meditation room (which also serves as a prayer room), and bookable study room spaces.[4][5]

Appearance in media

Surrey Central Library appears in the following media:

References
  1. "Meet Surrey's New Chief Librarian". Surrey604. 10 July 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  2. Tischler, Linda (8 August 2011). "How Twitter And Facebook Helped Bing Thom Design A Public Library". Fastco.design. Fast Company. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  3. Reid, Marelle (17 November 2010). "City Centre Library: not just books" (PDF). Surrey/North Delta Leader. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  4. Diakiw, Kevin (17 August 2011). "Surrey's new iconic library set to open". Surrey/North Delta Leader. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  5. "Surrey Libraries Website".
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