On the fifth floor of North York Central, the restful reading space in the side nodule by the red column was the first feature to capture my attention. I especially liked the low spool-shaped coffee tables in this reading area. Their quirkiness contrasted with the sober study booths that lined the north wall, all four of which were inhabited by scholars absorbed in their work.
As I walked around the rest of this floor, I became aware of the eclectic range of topics that fall under the umbrella of Science and Technology. Its magazine collection had everything from Tropical Fish Hobbyist to Spaceflight and Weightwatchers. Interested readers could also opt for books about quantum mechanics, spotted owls, boatbuilding, and tin toys, all without leaving the fifth floor.
A Legal Aid Clinic awaited clients in the southwest corner and a nearby open cabinet contained a CD collection of sound effects. Patrons could choose from the following audio experiences: bullfrog croak, lion roar, echo canyon, sexy laugh, and a “right to remain silent” admonition. For the poetic types, there were steam railway sound effects, terror/mystery noises, and rainshowers.
The last notable item on the fifth level of North York Central Library was a “Beauty and Style” display. In this tall glass cabinet, a variety of beauty aids had been arranged next to book covers propped on stands. An old-fashioned perfume atomizer with a pink tassel rested on the middle shelf near a mousse bottle and a delicate jar of Fendi Eau de Toilette.
I’m not sure what the serious engineering students at nearby tables made of the display of grooming items, but on a more recent visit I noticed that the display’s theme had changed to Canada’s space program.
Leaving the beautifully cosmic environment of Science and Technology for the day, I headed downstairs to Business and Urban Affairs.
