Located in the
Redpath Library Building at street level facing the snow-covered field, the “experiential”
Cyberthèque blends a diverse range of studying and learning spaces for groups
and individuals, various technology and multi-media installations, and timely assistance
in accessing and using information. For the McGill Library, the Cyberthèque
offers fresh opportunities to build on the essential teaching, learning and
research support it provides for faculty and students at McGill University.The facility’s zones include glassed-in group
study pods and banquettes, quiet tables with or without computers for
individual study, an e-classroom for information skills classes and programs, an
assignment production area, a central information point dubbed the “genius bar”,
and casual study areas dotted with bright, comfortable lounges. This unique
facility was designed by Montreal architect
François Emond and his team at ékm architecture together with Douglas
Birkenshaw, and his team at Bregmann + Hamann from Toronto.
The atmosphere is characterized by a fluid, functional distribution of
spaces, coupled with subtle effects of colour, transparency and lighting. A ‘green’ design was also integral in
developing the Cyberthèque, capable of accommodating 250 users on 125
workstations and additional seating for wired and wireless laptops.
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