The Kitchener Public Library Board has been planning to expand and renovate the current Main Library in the near future, and build a new branch in southwest Kitchener by 2016. We also continuously explore ways of taking library services out into the community through special events, school visits and partnerships with other organizations.
The Main Library was built to serve a population of 73,000. To keep up with city-wide and downtown growth, the Main Library needs to expand. And yes, the city also needs branch libraries. Long range planning takes that into account.
The Main Library has a dual role. It supports the neighbourhood libraries by providing specialized collections, resources, services and staff. It also serves as a branch library for the residents and businesses located in the downtown area. Its services are in high demand. There are over 1,000 visits per day to the Main Library.
There is no doubt that technology and Internet access are changing the way KPL does business. The Internet has not rendered the traditional library obsolete. In fact technology has extended KPL’s reach and made operations more efficient. We are able to offer you 24/7 access to resources from your home, office or school. Many residents depend on KPL for free access to computers, the Internet, downloadable books, electronic databases and software. Our staff plays a key role in teaching information literacy skills and helping you find the information you need.
Technology creates new challenges for our buildings. They need to be flexible in design to accommodate technological change. They need to support traditional computer cabling, as well as wireless access. Space is needed to provide more public computers and workspaces. The Main Library is now 46 years old and was not designed with the latest technology in mind, nor is there space to add more public computers. A renovation and expansion can help address these challenges.
A study completed last year showed that it is possible to add space to the back of the current Main Library. By renovating the existing space we can make it more efficient, flexible and accessible. We will be sharing the details of that study with you this spring. We will show you how the current building can be transformed to meet the community’s needs. We will share projected costs and answer questions you may have. We will be looking for your support for this project, when we take our proposal to City Council in late Spring, 2008.
Today’s Main Library is a valued and well used community resource. However, it is crowded and showing its age. Space limitations mean we cannot add to our collections, computers and services. The KPL Board’s vision is to create a vibrant and welcoming community gathering place. We envisage an attractive, comfortable place where community members will come together to imagine, discover and connect.
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