A downtown library often defines a city’s character. Think of the amazing Hespeler library, an historic Carnegie building wrapped in glass or the beautiful Owen Sound library connected to the iconic Tom Thompson Art Gallery.
Both libraries are civic landmarks, cultural hubs and economic engines that reflect the community’s commitment to learning, innovation and growth.
For a very long time, many Guelph residents have wanted a new main library. Finally after years of study, false starts and extensive debate, the time is ripe and the stars have aligned to move ahead. A new library would reflect Guelph’s rich heritage, our vision of the future and be the economic engine needed to complete the revitalization of downtown Guelph.
It would anchor the north end of Wyndham Street and attract over 2,000 people daily to the area. It will be reflective of Guelph’s past and open the door to Guelph’s future.
True to its democratic roots, the new library is being planned with extensive community consultation. It will be designed so the facility can change and adapt as the community’s information needs change. The 90,000-square- foot Baker Street building will be environmentally sustainable, respectful of the land and our environment.
It will be flexible, beautiful and built to last. It will include resources to read, view and listen to, plus a place to access and use technology.
It will be a multi-functional community space that encourages children to read, explore and learn. It will be a place for teens that is interactive, dynamic and fun, a place for seniors to explore local history, and for the rest of us a fabulous place to use and enjoy.
The library building will be developed as a public/private partnership, working with the city to design the area and finding a building partner to construct the facility. Two of the Wyndham Street properties have already been purchased and are now parking lots waiting for the adjacent land to be purchased. The consolidated land will include “Library Lane,” a street running parallel to the old post office, creating access to the larger multi-use Baker Street redevelopment area.
The public/private building model was used very successfully in the building of the east side library. However, the downtown library is a more complex project including underground parking, the library building and the opportunity to add residential and commercial spaces. How the area is to be redeveloped is currently being explored, with a nine step plan in place to get the library “shovel ready” by 2015-2016.
At the same time, the Guelph Public Library Board is also committed to raising $10 million for the furnishings and equipment in the new library. They are planning a national campaign in 2013-2015 to furnish and equip the community auditorium.
A provincial campaign will be rolled out in late 2015 with three local campaigns – one for corporate Guelph,
one for community organizations who want to sponsor a fund raising event, and a final campaign for families and individuals who would like to be a part of this historic effort.
Building a new downtown library is a massive project but, if you don’t start, you can’t cross the finish line! For a very, very long time, many Guelph residents have wanted a new main library and finally we are moving ahead, one book at a time!
Kitty Pope is CEO of the Guelph Public Library