Central Library.
Your Library. Reimagined.
MASTER FACILITIES PLAN UPDATE: JUNE 2024
Zoning By-law Amendment Approved
On Monday, June 17 City Council took the first official step to approve of the new Central Library, approving the Zoning By-law Amendment which will permit a public library to operate at Intercity Shopping Centre.
Council Presentation Postponed
The June 2024 Master Facilities Plan report was scheduled to be presented to City Council on Monday, June 24. City Administration has requested the presentation to be rescheduled to come before Council on July 22.
Master Facilities Plan Now Available to the Public
The complete June 2024 Master Facilities Plan report has now been published and is available for download.
The 2024 report includes detailed financial information and has been informed by intensive study by Library Management, working in consort with City Administration, with design and architectural work completed by Brook Mcllroy, engineering work completed by TBT Engineering and costings verified by a 3rd party independent cost consultant in A.W. Hooker Associates Ltd. Read it here., opens a new window
Letters of Support
The plan to create a Central Library has received 57 letters of support from community organizations. Read them here., opens a new window
Community Benefits
Expanding Library Space
The new Central Library will expand the total Library space by over 40%, addressing current shortages to better accommodate collections and programming needs.
Increased Access
The new branch will extend open hours by 26%, providing more access to Library services for all community members.
Minimal Taxpayer Impact
The financial impact on taxpayers is projected to be minimal, averaging an additional $2.00 annually per household.
Cost Neutral Solution
Capital costs to create a new system with a Central Library are the same or lower than to maintain the status quo.
Imagine if our neighbourhood branches were supported by a large Central Branch.
A number of strong neighbourhood branches surrounding a large Central Library is the future of our Library system.
Libraries are core community infrastructure. They are the hub around which community life revolves.
People come to the Library to engage in programs, use our free services, meet friends and give their kids a space to learn and grow. It’s a space for seniors to gather and stay engaged, a space for reading and lifelong learning and a space for Indigenous culture to thrive.
Right now our buildings are failing us. Old, expensive and ill-suited to modern needs, community life is stunted and falling behind. Creating a new Central Library in the vibrant business district in the centre of our city where bus routes and recreation trails converge and visitors can find tons of free parking will revitalize us in ways we didn’t imagine were possible.
CENTRAL LIBRARY FLOOR PLAN
Click to enlarge
Imagine...
- A major hub for families, with children’s areas that let kids enjoy active play year-round; gathering spaces for their care-givers to socialize and enough room that no kids are turned away from reading programs.
- A conversation space designed to encourage community connections through casual chats around the fireplace, enriching the social lives of seniors.
- A place where young adults can engage in recreation and creative expression in AV studios, makerspaces, podcasting booths and 3D printers.
- An Indigenous Knowledge Centre located in the centre of Thunder Bay, uniting the North and South sides of our city and creating a space where new friendships and understandings are built.
- Space for community partners and social service organizations to join us to offer complementary programs and services
- A Library system with enough room to grow our collection, linked by a digital backbone that lets you have items delivered from anywhere in the system, right to your favourite branch.
Key Features
Features & Amenities of the New Central Library
Central - Children's Library
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Involved with the Central Library Project
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