Guelph’s central library has served its purpose, but it's outgrown the space it's in. For people to get what they want from a modern library a new space with new programming is taking shape.
“This building was built in 1965. It was old when we started talking about the new library in the 90s. Now we’re at 2024 we’re two years away from getting this new library,” said Danny Williamson, chair of the Guelph Public Library. “The reality is this building wasn’t built to do most of the things people want out of a library.”
The infrastructure has been maxed out at the current central library, said Dan Atkins, acting CEO of the Guelph Public Library. An example being, it can’t add anymore computers because the building is at its energy limit.
The library and its branches around the city offer programs like storytime, knitting groups, language development for babies, book clubs and more.
With the new central library it will continue to offer those programs but be able to increase its programs with things like coding workshops, a recording studio, English conversation circles, 3D printers and preserving archives workshops.
There will be a room in the library designated for after-hour use. Its capacity is 100 people. Those booking it would have to follow the library’s booking room policy. It will be staffed and can be booked online for free. There will be a cost associated if the room gets booked for weddings and other special events.
The $62 million price tag for the new library covers the construction, furnishings, and equipment. It’s all covered by the City of Guelph. A $13.5 million grant from the federal government is being applied to the project cost, noted in a press release.
To fill the building with the technology and other materials it needs to have its new programming take shape the library is looking to raise $4 million. It’s already raised $2.7 million to date through donors and through the Friends of the Guelph Public Library (FGPL).
Tuesday was the official launch of the fundraising campaign.
There is $1.3 million left of the goal, Williamson and Atkins are confident it will be raised. They encourage people to donate any amount of money either in-person or online.
The new central library at 55 Baker St. has a target opening date of fall 2026.
The current building at 100 Norfolk St. has outgrown its space and its “not really able to meet the needs of the community with the programming that I think community members have come to expect from a public library,” said Atkins.
“Libraries are an indicator of the health of a city, right? And like the fact that so many people are so invested in this new library getting built is, I think, a good reflection of how people understand the importance of libraries,” said Williamson.
As of today, the library has partnered with Ontario Works to have someone come to the library to help people fill out paperwork, said Atkins.
The library establishes community partnerships to “make people's lives better,” he said.
Williamson said the library is a “huge democratizing force” in the city and some of the conversation in Guelph is around homelessness, mental health, equity and support. Part of what the library does is give access to people. He listed things like providing a space for heating and cooling in inclement weather, finding out how to get a bus pass and access to the internet, to name a few.
During the pandemic the library provided devices, internet and a private space for people to attend court proceedings. The library provides the space for outreach workers to meet their clients and outreach nurses that come to provide wound dressing for people who are living rough.
The investment in the new library is an investment in the community whether it be new Canadians, unhoused people or “people like me who want to make sure that their kids come to places like this and see the full, the full experience of our community,” said Williamson.
He believes the library is a space for everyone. “It means making a space where you know, families or seniors or people who are unhoused all feel safe and all feel welcome. And that's sometimes a tricky balance to maintain, and not everybody feels that way. But the reality is, the library is a safe, welcoming experience,” he said.
This is why the library has partnerships with the Guelph Police Service, the fire department, paramedic services, the Welcoming Streets Initiative, so those supports are there for the people who need them.
“It's not that people can expect the library is going to have some different experience for them. It'll be a new building, it'll let us offer new programs, it will be bright and shiny, but the reality is, what it's going to do is it's going to better enable the library to continue to meet people where they are,” said Williamson.
Through any given day the library can be a place where students come to study after school, adults can come to learn how to speak English, and people can attend a genealogy workshop. “There's no other institution that can cater to so many community needs all at once, like a public library,” said Atkins.
