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We’re happy to report that the largest renovation project in the history of the Lethbridge Public Library’s (LPL) Main Branch, the Main Branch Modernization Project (MBMP), is nearing completion with our grand re-opening planned for July 26 at 11 a.m.

“It’s been a bit hectic but we would like to thank the community and our staff for their patience and cheerfulness through the changes to this busy downtown building,” says Terra Plato, CEO, Lethbridge Public Library. “The spaces and design will benefit customers and staff in a number of new ways.”

The north wing’s upper redesign features wide-open spaces, and focuses on facilitating social/leisure activities where people can gather, while the north wing’s lower level accommodates quiet study and research spaces.

The Community Meeting Room has been moved to the upper level, and accommodates more people in an easy to access, bright space. The new location also allows for group bookings to occur outside of regular library hours. Our refreshed Computer Services area sees an expanded number of public computers available in a larger space with lots of natural light. The new LPL Teen Zone is a defined space for young adults to enjoy a place of their own within the library, including dedicated public computers and collections. Our listening stations and vinyl collection also find a new home in the upper north wing, along with the periodicals collection which is now situated next to a bright new reading bar.

As part of the redesigned open concept of the upper north wing, we are excited to debut our new Indigenous space, which will be receiving its Blackfoot name during our re-opening celebration. This space honours the history of the peoples and the traditional land the library occupies. In our commitment to addressing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, we believe this is an important step towards making the library more reflective of the community we live in and educating the community about Indigenous culture and history, as well as helping to establish and strengthen ties between Indigenous and nonIndigenous people.

“As we look forward to our 100th anniversary in 2019, the library is excited to be able to provide these new spaces that reflect the modern library user and the modern library,” says Plato. “We are a gathering and meeting place as much as we are a place for study and learning, and our new spaces reflect that and will serve us as we move into a new century of serving our community.”

MBMP includes funding from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, the Lethbridge Public Library, and the City of Lethbridge.

Visit lethlib.ca for full grand re-opening event details.