Mount Royal University's new library called major upgrade over old facility

It's about three times the size of the old library and that's just the start.

Mount Royal University just got a new library and beyond being larger in every way, it sends a clear message to students on the institution's priorities, a librarian says.

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"The space is a box of light, both literally and metaphorically," Margy MacMillan said of the Riddell Library and Learning Centre.

"Light because we have a lot of windows on the outside; metaphorically because it's enlightenment through knowledge. It's not just a library building, it's a learning centre."

The 16,000-square-metre facility has about 1,700 seats, that's up from 650 in the old building, and at four storeys, it'll be the tallest structure on campus.

The school took student interaction into account when building seating areas.

"There are some that look very much like a first-class airline pod, and there are some that are designed to be more cocktail-lounge like. There are private spaces and larger group spaces," MacMillan explained.

"We also have a fireplace."

Each of the 100 desks in the computer commons are height adjustable.

So are the treadmill desks.

"Students can walk while they read. They can put their laptop on top of the desk and work and use the treadmill at the same time."

Group study rooms went from three in the old library to more than 30.

There are power outlets everywhere, about 50 per cent more than in some campus buildings.

MacMillan says a colleague summed the library up the best.

"The building shows what the institution values and the institution values students and learning," she said.

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