Public input sought on central library plans

The Ottawa Public Library board on Tuesday approved a public consultation strategy for the central library project as management develops a list of potential sites.

The library has hired consulting firm PACE to run the public engagement program. The consultant says the OPL’s consultations on the central library must show people it’s a city-building project. The consultant also notes the OPL needs to build more trust in the process of establishing a new facility.

Two public consultations are scheduled for Monday at city hall. Anyone interested in participating is asked to register at ottawacentrallibrary.ca. The OPL will also launch an online questionnaire and assemble focus groups.

The community group Bookmark the Core is urging the library to share the results of the consultation before the library board finalizes the selection criteria for a site. The group also wants an international design competition.

“A library is a place to open up horizons to everything,” group member Jevone Nicholas told library trustees.

After receiving feedback on the location, the OPL will ask the public what should be in a new central library. There are sessions planned for June 15 at city hall and June 22 at the Library and Archives Canada building on Wellington Street.

The OPL is still trying to determine if it should build a standalone facility or a super library with Library and Archives Canada.

The OPL has made an open call for potential sites. The library board will be asked to sign off on site selection criteria July 12.

The OPL wants to open a new central library in 2020.