Toronto Scarborough Civic Centre Library | ?m | 1s | TPL | LGA Architectural

[Canadian Chocho]

A gorgeous timber building, lush trees, moderately shiny condos in the back. Are we sure this isn't Vancouver?

Was thinking the same thing!

 

[Skeezix]

I don't disagree with any of that, but my questions still stand. Your personal preferences aside, how do we know focusing limited resources in one new central library is better than improving and expanding the network of neighbourhood libraries? Any why Scarborough Civic Centre over anywhere else in the city?

You made a lot of bald statements about the benefits of a central library, all of which may be true, but anyone could make similar, equally compelling arguments in favour of focusing on neighbourhood branches, and they might be right. Of course a central library in Scarborough Centre would be beneficial, and if funding wasn't an issue we'd build a few of them. But given a limited funding envelope (even if the City were to prioritize library funding and significantly increase the library's capital budget, we'd still need to make choices as funding will always be limited), what is the *most* beneficial? Many of your points, if not all, could be addressed quite well with an expanded network of neighbourhood and district libraries. And a stronger network of neighbourhood libraries would have advantages that a central library would not. Having said that, I know a number of cities are building large, central libraries (here in Canada, the new one in Halifax recently got a lot of favourable press), but has anyone looked at the benefits of central branches versus neighbourhood ones? Particularly in the Toronto context? Where would we get the most bang for the buck? At a minimum, we would need strong arguments on all these points, with the data to back it up, for a central library to even be a possibility.

And, as I asked before, why Scarborough Centre? The same points you made above apply to a lot of places in this City, places that might be a lot less well-served by the existing TPL network.

Yes, Central libraries are wonderful. And Toronto should have about 5 of them. At least. But putting fantasy aside for a moment, in reality I'm not convinced (given the facts and context that we have) that Scarborough as a whole would be better served with a central library here than a beefed up neighbourhood branch network. We'll have to agree to disagree, I suppose.

 

[junctionist]

We could do some research on central vs local and where the building should be built, but it's useful to look to your own experiences and those of others for some initial guidance in an informal discussion. I've provided some reasons in support of my position on central libraries based on my extensive experience using the library, and I'm open to discussion. Take a position or accept someone else's reasonable position--a discussion where one side simply questions everything the other side says is boring.

 

[Skeezix]

Sorry to bore you, but I don't actually have a position (nor is it my obligation to only have discussions that you find engaging). You're the one that made the statement "That's the kind of library Scarborough should have as well at its city centre", in a thread where others have gone further and stated that Scarborough Centre "deserves" a central library. Given funding constraints, not to mention the fact that you're advocating for a form of library that TPL hasn't pursued since amalgamation, it's not unreasonable to expect others to question the premise of your statement (and the statements of others who went a bit further than you did) and to ask if there is anything backing up your statement. Nobody here is required to "take a position or accept someone else's reasonable position". In fact, we're perfectly entitled to politely question the reasonableness of your position. If you don't like it, don't respond, but you did respond, and I am entitled to do so as well.

 

[junctionist]

I think you should take a position. It would make for a livelier conversation for everyone. You're not obligated to me or anyone to do that, but it would be in the spirit of a discussion forum. To me, it just seems that you just want to cut down my points, which is boring.

 

[Skeezix]

I think you should take a position. It would make for a livelier conversation for everyone. You're not obligated to me or anyone to do that, but it would be in the spirit of a discussion forum. To me, it just seems that you just want to cut down my points, which is boring.

I'm not going to take a position simply for the sake of being "livelier". This isn't Crossfire. You made a bald statement, which I questioned. You're entitled to make the statement, I'm entitled to question it, as long as we both keep it civil. I was polite, suggested (twice) that you may, in fact, be correct, and kept my comments to the issues. Twice you've accused me (or my comments, or both) of being boring, and accused me of wanting to "cut down" your points (whatever that is) - if that's the livelier discussion you envision, I would suggest that isn't at all in the spirit of these discussion forums.

If you would like to discuss this further, please PM me. Thanks.

 

[ProjectEnd]

 

[interchange42]

More from yesterday:

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[Skeezix]

Thanks for the photos. It fits in really well within its surroundings.

 

[christiesplits]

More from yesterday:

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Thanks interchange for making the trip.

Say what you want about Scarborough, I can only imagine what some cities in the U.S. would do to have this level of urbanity (and density) in their suburban centre.

 

[Edward Skira]

Urbanism at SCC? A few towers surrounding a mall? They have a long way to go yet. This is a small step in the right direction.

 

[adHominem]

That's just lovely. Thanks for the photos, i42.

Many of the buildings that have gone up during this boom have been underwhelming, but we have been lucky enough to get some really spectacular institutional and public spaces, which is amazing.