Riverdale Community Library

The Riverdale Library, located in Toronto at the Don Valley Parkway near Queen Street East, is in the Riverdale neighbourhood. It is designed to bring together all members of the mixed income community. The library is oriented towards the nearby park and housing units, in order to both welcome and directly serve the residents. The use of ‘lantern glass’ in the structure is symbolic, as it is meant to act as a beacon, welcoming all neighbourhood residents, as well as to act as night lighting for the nearby park. The traditional library facility includes a computer lab and study spaces which help support the needs of local residents and families. To further expand the library’s role as a neighbourhood hub, a community kitchen is also incorporated, which provides a place for individuals to prepare meals or the community to prepare food for events for, helping to bring the community together. Rotating doors leading from the kitchen to the adjacent park ensure both a smooth transition between the indoor/outdoor space, while providing natural light and ventilation. In winter, the space may be enclosed to provide a seasonal vestibule. The space also includes a computer lab, eating banquets, and a variety of study spaces in addition to the traditional library.