Library upgrades focus on social and leisure space
PART OF DOWNTOWN BRANCH REOPENING IN FALL
A busy part of the downtown library has been closed for renovations. But the north wing’s main-floor level is scheduled to reopen this fall.
That’s when visitors will see a new area focusing on social and leisure space, officials say.
“The way libraries were designed 20 years ago no longer works for the role we play today in many people’s lives,” explains Tara Plato, chief executive officer of the Lethbridge Public Library.
“This revitalization of the main branch will allow the library to much better serve the community in the years ahead.”
The temporary closure is part of an upgrade that began last year in the children’s services area and the south wing. This year’s work includes creating a larger teen area, a focus on accommodating technology users and improvements to public meeting spaces. A new after-hours entrance and repairs to the roof are also part of the project.
In the process, computers and book collections have been relocated. Entrances have been changed, as well.
“The process has presented us with some significant challenges to date, and we know there are more to come,” Plato says.
“But staff have remained smiling through it all. Their ability to get things done, and adapt as collections and services have been moved is remarkable.”
With all the changes, Plato adds, staff members have been answering about four times as many queries about finding collections or services. Signs have also been placed throughout the library to help visitors find what they want.
Plato says all facilities, including the Theatre Gallery and the community meeting rooms, remain accessible.
“Our primary goal was to ensure that we could maintain full services to the public during renovations, and it is due to the hard work of staff that we are able to accomplish this.”
Once renovations are complete, she says, visitors will find the north wing’s lower level will have a focus on research space, while the main level will feature leisure and social space.
“We’re lucky to have this opportunity to update and preserve (the library) and to modify its spaces to incorporate the changing roles of today’s library.”