Help Shape The Future Of Your Library

The Kitchener Public Library Board has been working on a plan to expand and renovate the current Main Library. The vision is to create a vibrant and welcoming community gathering place: an attractive, comfortable place where community members can come together to imagine, discover and connect.

Public feedback will help ensure the library remains a vibrant public space that continues to meet the needs of this growing community.

We would like to invite you to fill out a short survey, to help us understand the things most important to you, as a library customer.

Click here to take the survey.

The survey is now closed. Thank you to all who participated!

Options for the Renovation and Expansion of the Central Library

The current Main Library on Queen Street was built in 1962 and no longer adequately meets this community’s growing demand for library resources and services. The Kitchener Public Library Board has been working on a plan to renovate and expand the Main Library. Three possible options for renovation and/or expansion have been developed.

Option 1 - Renovation

Construction	$ 16,000,000
Fees, Equipment, and Collections	$   4,000,000
Underground Parking	$   6,000,000

FEATURES

• Complete renovation
  
• Refreshed and updated interior spaces
  
• Improved layout of library services
  
• Services to children consolidated in child friendly space
  
• Greater flexibility to accommodate technology
  
• Increased energy efficiency
  
• Current 44 public parking spaces maintained

LIMITATIONS

• Limited space for future growth in library collections and resources
  
• Minimal increase in the number of public computer workstations
  
• Accessibility issues only partially addressed
  
• Need for additional space and parking not addressed

  View Option 1 Floor Plan

Image not displaying properly? View as PDF

Option 2 - Renovation and 30,000 sf Addition

Construction	$ 24,000,000
Fees, Equipment, and Collections	$   7,000,000
Underground Parking	$   8,000,000

FEATURES

• Complete renovation and 37% increase in total space
  
• Refreshed and updated interior spaces
  
• Library collections increase 20%
  
• Public computer workstations increase 60%
  
• Services to children consolidated in child friendly space
  
• Greater flexibility to accommodate technology
  
• Increased energy efficiency

LIMITATIONS

• Minimal increase to space for public seating and studying
  
• Accessibility issues only partially addressed
  
• Future growth needs not fully addressed
  
• Parking needed

  View Option 2 Floor Plan

Image not displaying properly? View as PDF

Option 3 - Renovation and 54,400 sf Addition

Construction	$ 32,000,000
Fees, Equipment, and Collections	$ 11,000,000
Underground Parking	$   8,000,000

FEATURES

• Complete renovation and 66% increase in total space
  
• Refreshed and updated interior spaces
  
• Library collections increase 46%
  
• Public computer workstations increase 168%
  
• Reading lounge expanded, additional space for seating and studying
  
• Services to children consolidated in child friendly space
  
• Future space for collection growth and new services accommodated
  
• Fully accessible building
  
• Meets highest standards for energy efficiency

LIMITATIONS

• Parking needed

  View Option 3 Floor Plan

Image not displaying properly? View as PDF

Artist's Conceptual Design

Please note that this is not a final design, but rather one possible representation of a renovated and expanded Central Library.

  View Conceptual Design

An Invitation to Shape the Future of Your Library

The Kitchener Public Library Board has been working on a plan to expand and renovate the current Main Library. The vision is to create a vibrant and welcoming community gathering place: an attractive, comfortable place where community members can come together to imagine, discover and connect.

The Library Board would like to invite you to attend a public information session on April 15 or April 23 to learn how renovation and expansion options for the current Main Library can achieve this vision.

The Kitchener Public Library contributes significantly to the City’s quality of life. Learn more about the Central Library project and ensure the library remains a vibrant public space that continues to meet the needs of this growing community. We will share with you three options for renovation and expansion of the current Main Library, with projected costs. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and share your vision for the Central Library.

Press Conference & Public Forum
Tuesday April 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Main Library, Reading Lounge
85 Queen St. N.

OR

Public Forum
Wednesday April 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Main Library, Schnieder Room
85 Queen St. N.

For more information, and to complete an online survey on the Central Library project, please visit our website at www.kpl.org.

Please Note:
The online survey will be available after April 15th, 2008.