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Check out the massive Vancouver Public Library rooftop before it opens (PHOTOS)

The Vancouver Public Library is hosting a party for the opening of its highly-anticipated rooftop and top floors this Saturday, September 29th. Luckily, the Vancouver forecast looks exceptional for the entire week, and therefore guests will be privy to a clear, sunny view.

 Photo: Vancouver Public LibraryPhoto: Vancouver Public Library

The Vancouver Public Library is hosting a party for the opening of its highly-anticipated rooftop and top floors this Saturday, September 29th.

Luckily, the Vancouver forecast looks exceptional for the entire week, and therefore guests will be privy to a clear, sunny view. What's more, the event is completely free, as the library wants to make the space an inclusive public space.

While the rooftop already looks spectacular, with a number of new plants and beautiful trees, VPL says it's only going to get better. In fact, they have a number of planters on various levels of the rooftop, and they told Vancouver Is Awesome that many of the plants are new additions. As a result, these tiny plants are going to grow, and will look even fuller and bigger by next year.

What's more, VPL stated that the top floors may be available for rent, and that the rooftop could be a prime place for evening weddings. It could also provide a breathtaking location for a film set, or the perfect place for a lavish gala.

The library also has a number of exciting features on its new floors, which provide 40,000 square feett of additional space. These include:

  • Phillips, Hager & North Garden: VPL’s rooftop garden was designed by world-renowned landscape architect, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, and  will provide Vancouver a long awaited publicly accessible outdoor green space within the downtown core.
  • Bookable Meeting Rooms: Featuring natural light, garden and city views, the new rooms are suitable for meetings and events of all sizes, accommodating 15 to 90 people. They will be used to deliver VPL programs and will also be available for rent for public and private events.
  • Exhibit/ Gallery: Dedicated space to showcase topics of local interest. Morph, ourfirst exhibition, isan interactive exploration of change.
  • Pat Graham Reading Room: The glass walled reading room with garden and city viewsprovides space for quiet reading and reflection. With a combination of well-lit desks and comfortable reading chairs, it accommodates up to 60 people.
  • The Kermani Family Garden, an enclosed ‘pocket garden’ can be viewed from the Reading Room.
  • RBC Lounge: The snack lounge is an area in the library where you can eat. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food or purchase a snack from one of the vendingmachines to enjoy in the snack lounge or adjacent outdoor south terrace.
  • Montalbano Family Theatre: The theatre has capacity for 80 people (77 fixed seats and 3 spaces for wheelchair users), and will host a variety of events, including author readings, documentary film screenings, lectures, and performances. It will also be available to rent.

Vancouver Is Awesome visited the gallery to check out its latest offerings, and you can have a look at the photos below.

Vancouver Public Library Rooftop

 Photo: Vancouver Is AwesomePhoto: Vancouver Is Awesome

 Photo: Vancouver Is AwesomePhoto: Vancouver Is Awesome

 Photo: Vancouver Is AwesomePhoto: Vancouver Is Awesome

 Photo: Vancouver Is AwesomePhoto: Vancouver Is Awesome

The morph exhibition approaches diverse and surprising stories of change on an expanding scale: self, neighbourhood, place. It is intended as an active space, providing areas for people to draw, sketch, read, watch videos and animation, write, make things, and connect with others.

Further, guests are encouraged to share their experience via social media with #morphVPL.

The celebration starts at 10am for approximately one hour, followed by tours of the Central Library to follow.

You can find out more information about the opening here.