New Main Library Addition Open!

Following a temporary construction closure, Kitchener Public Library’s Main Library addition is now open.

All Main Library operations are currently taking place out of the library’s new addition, located at the rear of the library property, while renovation work begins on the original 1961 building. The public entrance and book return during the library’s renovation phase are temporarily located off Ahrens Street.

Hourly parking is available in the completed first phase of the underground parking garage, with access via Queen Street. There is direct access from the underground parking garage into the new library addition. Some metered surface parking is also available along Ahrens and Roy Streets, with accessible surface parking available at the corner of Ahrens and Queen Streets.

Although the new library addition is structurally complete, it will temporarily be used as both public space and staff work areas while renovation work is taking place on the original library building. Once renovation work is completed, the new library addition will be re-organized to maximize public space, including the installation of new furnishings and shelving.

To learn more about our Central Library renovation and expansion project, visit www.kpl.org/central.

Main Library - Temporary Closure

Due to construction, the Main Library is TEMPORARILY CLOSED and will reopen on Friday, March 22, 2013.

All other KPL locations will remain open as usual.

This closure is to accommodate the temporary relocation of all Main Library operations into our completed Central Library addition so that renovation work can begin on the original library building. Once the Main Library reopens in the new addition, the public entrance to the library will be temporarily located on Ahrens Street for the remainder of our renovation project.

During the temporary closure, materials can still be returned to the Main Library via an exterior book drop, now located on the Ahrens Street side of the building. Main Library customers will be individually contacted regarding their holds pickup options.

We invite regular Main Library users to drop by one of our four Community Libraries. Each of our four Community Libraries has extensive collections . . . and free parking! Borrowed items may be returned to any KPL location.

During the temporary construction-related closure of the Main Library, Sunday service will be offered at the Forest Heights Community Library. Sunday service will resume at the Central Library once it re-opens later in March, 2013.

Check the library's website for details on the Central Library re-opening.

Our Community Library Network

Click on the links below to learn more about our Community Library locations. (Note: links will open in a new window or tab.)

• Country Hills Community Library
• Forest Heights Community Library
• Grand River Stanley Park Community Library
• Pioneer Park Community Library

Giving to the Library Just Got Easier!

For the months of November and December 2012, all that is needed to make a $5 gift to KPL is a mobile phone.

Mobile giving, or "text-to-give" campaigns, are a convenient way to give back to the organizations you love. You can make a difference in just a few simple steps:

Enter the text "KPL" in the text message field of your device

• In the recipient field, enter the numbers 45678
• Send the message
• When you receive an automatically-generated text response asking for confirmation of
   your $5 transaction, reply "Yes"

Your one-time $5 donation will be added to your next mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance.

For information on how you can obtain a record of donations you have made to Canadian charities using your mobile device, and/or to generate a tax receipt, please visit http://receipt.mobilegiving.ca.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Development Manager, Paul Dickson, at campaign@kpl.org or 519-743-0271 ext. 278.

For more information about library fundraising, please visit the Evolve. Literally section of the KPL website.

Library Renovation Moving Forward Above Ground

“. . . one of the most stunning public rooms in the city.”

“. . . the view through the south wall is jaw-dropping.”

“You can see this is a spectacular-looking building, it is breathtaking.”

“There are few such buildings in this region.”

These are just a few quotes from the recently published Waterloo Region Record article about our library renovation and expansion project.

Read the entire article here.

 

 Mathew McCarthy/Record staff

Domenic Trichilo (right) and library chief executive Sonia Lewis walk through the under-construction expansion of the Kitchener Public Library main branch, Wednesday.
 

 Mathew McCarthy/Record staff

Visit our "Media Coverage" page for this and past articles about our project.

Phase One Underground Parking Garage Now Open!

The first phase of our shared underground parking garage is now open! Hourly parking is available in the garage between the hours of 6:00 am and 10:00 pm; with access via Queen Street.

When first phase of the underground parkign garage opens, the adjacent Centre-in-the-Square parking lot (Lot # 19) will be CLOSED to accommodate work on the second phase of the underground parking garage.

Once completed, the entire underground garage complex will accommodate over 400 vehicles.

For the duration of our Central Library construction project, public parking will include the first phase of the new underground garage, some accessible and short-duration surface parking at the corner of Ahrens Street and Queen Street, as well as metered on-street parking along both Ahrens Street and Roy Street. Short duration and all-day parking is also available at the Duke & Ontario garage, City Hall garage, Kitchener Market garage, and the new parking structure at Charles & Benton Street.

Library Access from Underground Garage
For the time being, access to the library from the underground garage will be via elevator or stairwell to the street-level only. Library users parking in the underground garage will exit to the street level, then proceed around the library to the front entrance on Queen Street.

There will continue to be some surface parking on the corner of Ahrens Street and Queen Street for accessible parking and caregivers with young children.

This library access is a temporary accommodation only. Once our new addition is completed later this fall, there will be elevator and stairwell access directly into the library.


Click here for a site plan showing parking and pedestrian access to the Main Library.

Follow this link to the City of Kitchener's website on downtown parking options.