Main Library Temporary Closure

Construction and renovation work on our Central Library project is nearing completion!

In order to accommodate the reconfiguration of our new spaces, the Main Library at 85 Queen Street North will temporarily close on or about March 23, 2014 for approximately 2 months.

For the period of this closure, a temporary library offering selected services will be available for our downtown customers. 

• Located at 607 King Street West (in the plaza at the corner of King St. and Breithaupt St.)
• Open regular library hours, including Sundays from 1 – 5 pm
• Featuring popular collections of books and DVDs for all ages
• Holds pick-up
• Free parking
• No after-hours book drop; but book drop at 85 Queen St. library location will remain open

Our four Community Libraries will remain open as usual during this temporary closure.  In addition, our Forest Heights Library will also be open on Sundays from 1 – 5 pm during the temporary Main Library closure. Library members can borrow and return materials to any Kitchener Public Library location.

We’re almost there!    The reopening of the library following this closure will mark the long-awaited transformation of our old Main Library into our new Central Library.
We want to thank all library users for their patience and support throughout

Project Update

Our shared underground parking garage is finished!  There are now over 400 parking spaces.  Drive into the garage from Queen Street or Otto Street.  Ahrens Street has also been re-opened to the Region of Waterloo building.

The renovation of the original library building is also nearing completion.  All three levels are undergoing extensive refurbishment, including the construction of a new 5,000 square foot addition to the second level of the library. 

As the project winds down, our excitement is building – we can’t wait to show off our fabulous new space!

 

When renovations are done, the Main Library will once again temporarily close so that we can move into the new space. Watch our website or monitor our social media for details.

 

KPL CEO Sonia Lewis with Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr touring renovation site

Main Library Temporary Closure

On Monday, December 23^rd, 2013, the Main Library will be CLOSED until approximately 4:00 pm due to hydro work.  The Main Library will
re-open again from 4:00 to 9:00 pm. 

All four of KPL’s Community Library locations will remain open as usual on December 23^rd.

Due to the disruption of power at the Main Library, the KPL website, catalog, email and telephone switchboard will not be available on Monday, December 23 from approximately 5:30 am until 4:00 pm. 

Construction Crane Removed

You know we’re making progress when our contractors no longer need the big equipment!   The large orange crane was recently removed from our construction site.

And what a cool process it was! These guys sure know what they’re doing. The entire crane was dismantled, loaded onto flatbed trucks and hauled away in under 4 hours!

Smaller portable cranes will be used, as necessary, for the balance duration of our construction project.

We compressed the time of the crane’s dismantling a little bit for this short video.  

Enjoy!

Request for Proposal: New Central Library Café

The Kitchener Public Library is seeking a vendor to establish and operate a café on the street level of the Central Library at 85 Queen Street North.

Follow this link for a copy of the RFP document and a partial floor plan showing the location of the café area our new Central Library (PDF documents).

Request for Proposal submission deadline is Monday, August 26, 2013.