Bracebridge Library honoured with Library Building Award
Joint Media Release
BRACEBRIDGE, ON (June 19, 2025) – The Coulson Family Bracebridge Library, a signature feature of the Town of Bracebridge’s Muskoka Lumber Community Centre, has been awarded a prestigious 2025 Ontario Library Association (OLA) Library Building Award. The honour recognizes architectural excellence and outstanding contributions to library design across Ontario.
Presented at the Library as Place event on June 18, the award celebrates projects that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and strong community impact through thoughtful library architecture.
Left to Richt: Michelle Arbuckle - Executive Director, OLA, Barbara Hutchinson - Board Chair, Bracebridge Library, Crystal Bergstrome - CEO & Chief Librarian, Bracebridge Library, Tarisha Dolyniuk - Partner, MJMA, Darcy Glidden, Barrie Public Library, Chair of the Library Building Awards Jury
Led by the Town of Bracebridge, the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre is the largest capital project in the town’s history. The Coulson Family Bracebridge Library, which opened in its new home within the facility in October of 2024, was delivered through a collaborative partnership between the Town of Bracebridge, Bracebridge Library, and MJMA Architecture & Design.
Extensive community engagement helped shape the library’s design and function, ensuring it would serve as a vibrant hub for learning, creativity, and connection. The result is a state-of-the-art space that includes:
Extensive community engagement helped shape the library’s design and function, ensuring it would serve as a vibrant hub for learning, creativity, and connection. The result is a state-of-the-art space that includes:
- Light-filled, flexible areas designed to inspire discovery and comfort;
- Integrated Makerspace and recording studio for creative exploration;
- A vibrant youth area with the Odaminmaatig, an interactive play installation inspired by Anishinaabe teachings that encourages cultural learning through play and reflection; and
- Accessible design and technology features supporting community inclusion and barrier-free spaces.
MJMA Architecture & Design, a nationally recognized leader in public architecture, worked closely with the Town and the Library team to ensure the space met both functional and cultural needs while showcasing the beauty of Muskoka’s natural surroundings. Their vision and expertise were instrumental in creating a facility that is both architecturally stunning and deeply connected to the spirit of the community.
Since its opening, the Coulson Family Bracebridge Library has experienced a substantial increase in visitors, affirming its role as a dynamic public space and community anchor. This recognition reflects not only architectural excellence, but also the collaborative efforts and shared vision that brought the project to life.
The OLA Library Building Awards celebrate public libraries across Ontario that exemplify innovation in architecture and a clear understanding of community needs. The Coulson Family Bracebridge Library joins a select group of projects honoured for elevating the role of libraries in civic life.
Quotes
"The Coulson Family Bracebridge Library is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with vision and purpose. This award is a proud moment for Bracebridge and a testament to the Town’s leadership in delivering transformative public spaces. It represents our commitment to investing in our community’s future, and creating places where people can connect, learn, and thrive."
Since its opening, the Coulson Family Bracebridge Library has experienced a substantial increase in visitors, affirming its role as a dynamic public space and community anchor. This recognition reflects not only architectural excellence, but also the collaborative efforts and shared vision that brought the project to life.
The OLA Library Building Awards celebrate public libraries across Ontario that exemplify innovation in architecture and a clear understanding of community needs. The Coulson Family Bracebridge Library joins a select group of projects honoured for elevating the role of libraries in civic life.
Quotes
"The Coulson Family Bracebridge Library is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with vision and purpose. This award is a proud moment for Bracebridge and a testament to the Town’s leadership in delivering transformative public spaces. It represents our commitment to investing in our community’s future, and creating places where people can connect, learn, and thrive."
- Rick Maloney, Mayor, Town of Bracebridge
"Our vision was to create a space that is welcoming, inclusive, and unmistakably Muskoka. From the use of natural materials to the thoughtful gathering spaces, every element was designed to foster community connection and deliver on our promise to be 'Anything but the Ordinary.'"
- Crystal Bergstrome, CEO & Chief Librarian of the Bracebridge Library.
"We are incredibly proud to have collaborated with the Town of Bracebridge on this important project. Our
goal was to design a library that not only serves the evolving needs of the community, but also celebrates the unique landscape, history, and spirit of Muskoka. This award is a wonderful recognition of that shared vision and the collective effort that brought it to life."
- Ted Watson, Partner at MJMA Architecture & Design
"Our vision was to create a space that is welcoming, inclusive, and unmistakably Muskoka. From the use of natural materials to the thoughtful gathering spaces, every element was designed to foster community connection and deliver on our promise to be 'Anything but the Ordinary.'"
- Crystal Bergstrome, CEO & Chief Librarian of the Bracebridge Library.
"We are incredibly proud to have collaborated with the Town of Bracebridge on this important project. Our
goal was to design a library that not only serves the evolving needs of the community, but also celebrates the unique landscape, history, and spirit of Muskoka. This award is a wonderful recognition of that shared vision and the collective effort that brought it to life."
- Ted Watson, Partner at MJMA Architecture & Design
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About Bracebridge – The Town of Bracebridge is located in the Heart of Muskoka, the epitome of Canada’s Cottage Country. With a population in excess of 17,000 permanent residents that doubles during the summer months, the community has a diversified economy that is highlighted by strong construction, hospitality and professional sectors. Bracebridge is the steward of the cottage country brand and is teaching the world the power of living the Muskoka lifestyle in its spirit, the arts, food, home and recreation. The Town is positioned on the 45th parallel, halfway between the Equator and the North Pole, and is recognized as Santa’s summer home.
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