Mississauga, ON – February 6, 2024
by Lejla Pepeljak
Finally! Hazel McCallion Library (aka Mississauga’s Central Library) has re-opened its doors and we got to take a look inside. From humble beginnings to its extravagant 2+ year-long expansion; this library has always served as a central point for its community.
Whether you are a student, parent, or employee on a break, the library offers a space for gathering but also solitude. This again, can and will be true with its official reopening.
The City of Mississauga spared no expense or detail with the new layout and inclusions. As soon as we step inside, we are greeted with the first of two large ceiling to (almost) floor beautiful art installations by Nathan Whitford titled “Lightfall” who describes the pieces as reflecting in the flow of information of the library through flowing lights during the opening ceremony.
Lightfall by Nathan Whitford
Looking up at the installation we also notice the 4 floors worth of information and specialized rooms that are so tangible now. The library is divided into these four categories, reflected in the number of floors; first floor: children’s collection, DVDs and holds pick-up; second floor: fiction, youth, audiobooks, music and video games, third floor: non-fiction, documentaries; fourth floor: world languages, magazines, newspapers. Each floor is also distinguished by a colour theme, blue for makerspace, green for floor 1, yellow for floor 2, orange for floor 3 and pink for floor 4.
In addition, the lowest floor/basement features an entire space dedicated to their maker space technologies. This space includes the latest technologies such as multiple 3D printers, Cricut machines, Roland laser printers, heat presses for branding, and free Adobe Cloud stations to name a few.
On the outside perimeter, you find a variation of rooms including recording studios, music booths, a content creation studio and even a space with sewing equipment. These spaces will surely be of great benefit to local Mississauga residents from every walk of life. Just exploring and observing during the official ceremony leaves you feeling inspired and motivated to use and contribute to the space.
On each level, in addition to the plethora of reading material, you can find one or more of their specialized rooms. These include the Gaming room, Children’s area, The Kitchen, Meeting rooms, Multi-Faith Prayer Room, Noel Ryan Auditorium, Sky Reading Lounge and multiple study spaces.
The Gaming room, already at full capacity on opening day, features multiple consoles and gaming chairs, perfect for a leisurely day at the library. The pristine kitchen on level 3 offers a space for private use and future programs, that to me is a one-of-a-kind experience you cannot find in every library. And perhaps, what every good library has, is a viewing area, illuminated by natural lighting and its relaxing quality, as such is the fourth floor Sky Reading Lounge.
During the opening ceremony, officials and leaders of the space and community expressed words of gratitude and accomplishment in the lower maker space area in its own amphitheatre space to a large crowd. Afterwards, we were invited to explore the many nooks and crannies of the library which hosted or gave away goodies. From branded cookies and tumbler cups, to bags and button making, there was something for everyone.
And that is just it. The newly renovated Hazel McCallion Library has made sure it caters to everyone.
