A recent rainy afternoon found me at Mimico Centennial Library, a friendly neighbourhood branch in southwest Toronto that was built in (surprise!) 1967. As I walked up the path to the front entrance, I noticed that Mimico Centennial’s grounds were much more extensive than those of libraries located in land-strapped downtown. Inviting long benches rested on a courtyard, hinting at future summer relaxation under the trees.
The library’s interior was equally spacious and uncrowded, with floor-to-ceiling front windows. One of the windows featured paper icebergs, snowflakes, and polar bear families floating in a carefree, random manner. Other windows came with blue leather window seats, and I was especially delighted with one quiet corner where the seat afforded a view of a sturdy tree. Imagine the poems, math assignments, doodles, love letters, and journal entries that have been composed at that very spot!
In addition to its daydreaming opportunities, I was impressed by the size of Mimico Centennial’s Polish collection. Polish books filled almost two-thirds of one entire wall of shelving. The other third was comprised of materials in Russian, with Spanish and ESL also making a respectable showing. In addition, the Children’s section had a number of books in French.
Shifting my gaze from the shelves to the ceiling, my curiosity was intrigued by two iron staircases leading to an upper level. This higher perch occupied part of the ceiling space of the main floor and served as a study area (similar in structure to the minstrel galleries at Wychwood, High Park, and Beaches branches).
The stairs beckoned, so I went up to investigate. I was surprised but not displeased to find mostly empty space. Only a few tables distracted from the vast expanse of carpet, and I saw just one educational display, a literacy tool that utilized twenty-six paper frogs stuck on the wall. Each frog was wearing a letter on its belly, and lists of words which started with that particular letter were written underneath. Six of the alphabet-loving amphibians were still patiently waiting for their words: frogs J, K, Q, V, X, and Z.
After descending the south staircase to return to the main level, I found a DVD on Bollywood dance and trotted over to the checkout desk. The personable librarian told me to enjoy my selection. Then I dashed down to the basement level to admire a glossy round table made from a giant tree-trunk. The carvings of buffalo, wolves, foxes, and maple leaves provided just the right Canadian touch to enhance the patriotic quality of a library constructed one hundred years after Canadian federation.
What a library should be.
Looooooooooooooooove the cozy corner with the tree – how sublime!
Thanks for sharing.
This has been my home branch for the last 24 years. My children grew up going to this branch at least once a week. My son’s grade 3 teacher took his class there every week, after making sure every student had a library card. We would watch the kids play at the park across the street before heading over to pick up new books, then head back to school, just in time for recess.
The selection of foreign language books is a great boon to this neighbourhood and local school children come there to borrow books and attend homework clubs. The library also hosts a toy lending library and story times for preschool children. This branch really is at the heart of this community.
Thank you SO much for your lovely comment, ElvinaGB. It makes me happy to read about how important Mimico Centennial is to the local community. Hooray!
You’re super welcome, Evelyn! I could have perched in that corner happily for hours!
Thank you so much for your comment and I loved the extra o’s you put in the love!
I agree! Thank you so much for your comment, Bride!