Was the $49M makeover of Hazel McCallion Central Library in Mississauga worth it?

It’s been just over a year since the renovated Hazel McCallion Central Library reopened and while many love the new look, others give it a thumbs down.

The library celebrated its grand opening on Feb. 3, 2024 after closing on March 20, 2021 to undergo a major renovation. The central library first opened to the public at its current location in 1991 and needed upgrades. The new “state-of-the-art” resource centre came with a $49 million price tag, more than $6 million over initial City of Mississauga estimates.

All five floors of public and staff space, including the Glass Pavilion, Breezeway and the Noel Ryan Auditorium were renovated. But was the expense worth it? Mississauga residents have mixed feelings about the changes.

Described as soulless, cold and sometimes too noisy, some residents are not happy with the new look.

“This library went from being cozy and welcoming to cold and sterile,” one person wrote on Google reviews “Sure, the place is more clean, the design is modern and staff is friendly but it doesn’t feel or look like a library at all, it’s like a corporate office or waiting room for a medical clinic…”

The central library before the renovations began in 2021.

“The renovations were needed but the end result is less than impressive,” another person wrote. “The library is not senior friendly nor child friendly for that matter. The vibe inside is cold and unwelcoming.”

The Hazel McCallion Central Library after renovations. Photo: City of Mississauga

A Reddit thread has similar remarks.

“The entire kids floor has been replaced with white computer labs,” a post on Reddit reads. “The whole place top-to-bottom is very reminiscent of a modern office space or doctor’s office.”

Other people wondered why money was not spent to replace the elevators.

“You know what else is surprising … they had money to literally change EVERYTHING BUT the elevators. Like really!? It’s the same elevator from before?? That first week they opened … one elevator was broken already,” one person wrote on Reddit. “They couldn’t afford changing the elevators at least??”

But others liked the new look.

“I especially like the top floor with its bigger windows and the new addition of that lounge room. I wish I had that space when I was in uni,” one person wrote.

The Sky Reading Lounge, overlooking Celebration Square, added 6,000 square feet of new space dedicated for quiet reading and studying.

Some residents argued more devices were needed.

“One thing is for certain, there’s way more use for computers in this day and age and the new reno reflects that,” one person wrote.

A rendering shows some of the features of the new library.

The feedback received from in-person customers and through digital channels has been “predominantly positive,” a City of Mississauga spokesperson said.

“Overall, customers are excited about the opportunities to interact with new technology, services and products at the library,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement to INsauga.com.

Since re-opening in January 2024, the library has seen a steady increase in visits over the course of the year, with the final 2024 visitor numbers almost back to pre-pandemic levels. On average in 2024, 65,000 people visited Hazel McCallion Central Library each month, the city said.

In response to the “cold’ and “sterile” appearance of the library, the city noted the bright accent colours on the walls and in the furniture on each floor.

Lightfall by Nathan Whitford is a public artwork on display at the library. Photo: City of Mississauga/Adam Pulicicchio Photography

The spokesperson pointed to the public artwork, Lightfall by Nathan Whitford, as a source of colour and brightness.

In response to there being fewer books, the library said they are balancing the need for physical and digital items. Physical materials (such as books) are a shared resource across all 18 Mississauga library locations and people can request these items from across the system. On a daily basis, requested items are delivered to Hazel McCallion Central Library.

“This helps us maximize space available for seating, programming, and other customer use while providing them with the resources they need,” the library spokesperson said.

There are quiet areas to study in the newly renovated library. Photo: City of Mississauga/Adam Pulicicchio Photography

There have been complaints about noise but the spokesperson said noise levels may vary as some areas are built for quiet study, and others are meant for group programs and activities. The new design added more flexible seating throughout the building. There is space for both group work and personal reflection.

There are acoustic ceiling tiles, sound-absorbing wall panels, and strategically placed shelving to help manage noise. They also installed sound masking devices throughout the building, which emit subtle background sounds to reduce the perception of noise and enhance the overall ambiance.

“To address sound and comfort, the majority of the flooring in the library—approximately 130,000 square feet—is carpeted,” the spokesperson said. “This choice helps absorb noise and contributes to a quiet environment for patrons.”

There were complaints about some tech features. The video game consoles have overheated in the storage space, some patrons have reported. But the spokesperson said they have improved ventilation around the A/V rack and installed a test fan recently, with plans to expand if successful.

Some people complained that gaming devices were overheating. Photo: City of Mississauga/Adam Pulicicchio Photography

Foot traffic counts are not available for specific spaces, however, tech spaces are getting use. The 2024 numbers show 400 3D printer jobs using 13.5 kg of filament, 1,739 bookings of the small recording booths, 1,016 bookings of the sound studio, 767 bookings of the photo and video studio, and 2,000 buttons created.

Staff has found the Sky Reading Lounge fills up quickly during the day. On top of the drop-in spaces available, customers booked free study spaces 26,464 times for personal and group study in 2024.

The renovations were also meant to be more eco-friendly, and the spokesperson said the facility reduced its energy consumption by five per cent in 2024. The facility also reduced water consumption by 25 per cent following renovations due to lower flow fixtures installed in all the washrooms.

Other new features of the library include self-checkouts, laptop/iPad lending kiosks, a digitization room to help people convert legacy media and historical print media, a multi-faith prayer room, an interactive and creative children’s space, an upgraded Noel Ryan Auditorium, and a gaming room.

New programming for The Kitchen is expected in 2025. Photo: City of Mississauga/Adam Pulicicchio Photography

The most recent addition to the library was the Tim Hortons, which opened on the ground floor atrium on Jan. 31, 2025. While the new cafe was welcome news for some, others wondered if a local Mississauga cafe would have been a better choice.

In 2025, plans include new programming in The Kitchen space. Major events such as the Mississauga Literary Festival and Mississauga Comic Expo will be at the central library again. The makerspace will also continue to grow with new technology including an embroidery machine.

The city encourages feedback on the website here.