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.

Your Main Library Needs A Facelift

The Main Library on Queen Street is one of the city’s busiest services, averaging over 1,000 visits per day. You have told us you like this location and the services we offer. We can make the Main Library even better by renovating and expanding.

With your support we can transform this 46 year old building and create a special destination in this city. Imagine a place with:

• Expanded collections of books, CDs and DVDs


• More foreign language resources for new Canadians


• Three times as many computers for accessing information


• Free wireless access for laptops users


• Comfortable areas to sit, read or study


• Group study rooms and a unique space for teens


• A children’s discovery area and storytime room


• A café, art displays, lectures and cultural events


• Environmentally friendly, green building measures


• The same great staff to assist you

All this and more could be available at the Main Library. In May the Kitchener Public Library Board will ask City Council to approve funds that have been set aside for enhancing the Main Library. Your support will be essential.

Help us keep pace with community, cultural and technological changes. Join us at our public meetings. Visit our web site. Let Council know Kitchener needs an enhanced central library.


Why is a renovation/expansion necessary?


Video: Take a walking tour of the Main Library with Mike Farwell from Farwell Live!

Overcrowded collection with limited room to grow Inadequate facilities for the storage of archival collections High shelves with narrow aisles create accessibility challenges Insufficient computer terminals to meet increasing demand

Library Offers Much More Than Just Books

The following is an excerpt from the article "Library Offers Much More Than Just Books", which appears in the March/April 2008 edition of Your Kitchener magazine.

It’s a service that often flies under the radar – with few people realizing its many elements fulfill the educational, recreational and social needs of thousands of Kitchener residents on a daily basis.

In fact, 3,400 people visit at least one of its different locations across the community each day – making it one of the city’s busiest resources. Yet, there’s a common perception in the community that its popularity is passé… that the ever-expanding world of technology has lessened its worth.

That couldn’t be farther from the truth, says Sonia Lewis, chief executive officer of the Kitchener Public Library (KPL) system.

“The KPL is still one of the most heavily used city services,” she said. “More than half of Kitchener’s residents are library card holders; and in 2007, more than two million items were checked out of our libraries across the city.”

By items, Lewis means everything from books and reports to CDs and DVDs.

“We offer a lot more than just books,” she said. “While books are still very important and in high demand, we also offer efficient electronic services to help people find the information they need; a skilled staff who are always willing to assist visitors who may not know how to use some of our services; and a variety of programs – something for every age level."

[...]

Given the library’s universal usefulness and appeal, many people are changing their perception of the facility.

“There are still some people who still equate the library with books only, and they see it as a place their grandparents like to go,” Lewis said. “But that’s just not the case.

“We offer something for everyone – no matter who you are or how old you are.”

For example, the library recently hosted a Nintendo Wii tournament for youth.

“Our research has told us that gaming does help with reading and literacy skills,” Lewis said. “It proved to be an extraordinary way to draw teenagers through our doors; and when they were here, they got to see what else we have to offer and interact with others their age.”

Other efforts -- such as organizing community outreach work, which sees library volunteers deliver books to shut-ins and staff make presentations at local schools; promoting the work of local artists; providing contest opportunities for young writers; and offering interesting speaker series and film viewings -- continue to highlight the facility’s services to the community.

“There’s no question that the library contributes to the quality of life in Kitchener; and more and more people are realizing what we bring to the table,” Lewis said.

“You won’t find anyone ‘shushing’ you here – something many people still associate with libraries.

“We are encouraging people to come here, have fun and enjoy themselves. That’s what makes us the dynamic, lively environment that we are.”

Click here to read the full article (pdf)