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New Glasgow library to get updated look and design
Upgrades being made to New Glasgow library to meet the demands of visitors.
Libraries aren’t what they used to be.
Once viewed as a sort of book depository or a place to study, libraries, including New Glasgow’s, have seen their role evolve, says New Glasgow library branch manager Greg Hayward.
Now, the New Glasgow library is regularly used for everything from children’s programming, to hosting community meetings and offering access to the latest technology.
“Libraries have just changed so much in those intervening decades,” says Hayward. “Even our computer areas have changed quite a bit. People are a lot more interactive with each other in the library nowadays.”
While the way libraries are used and the services they offer has changed a lot in the last 20 to 30 years, what hasn’t is the design of the New Glasgow library.
“We’ve tried as best as we could to move things and clear space to create more people space,” Hayward said.
But still they’re limited in what they can do, however, that’s all about to change.
The Town of New Glasgow has issued a request for proposal to revitalize the library and the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library headquarters, which are both located at 182 Dalhousie St., in New Glasgow.
The project is to have three main goals: to improve functionality/ efficient use of space; to develop innovative, multi-experienced, community focused and responsive spaces; and to provide meaningful accessibility for all users.
While it’s still in the preliminary stages, Hayward said he is excited to see the project moving forward.
He hopes that in the end the branch will be able to offer old and new activities in a place that is more appealing, safe and comfortable. He wants library visitors to feel like they can stay a while.
He envisions places that would be better suited for creating audio recordings or podcasts for instance. That type of activity is already happening, but again it’s in space it wasn’t designed for.
As part of this redesign, they also want to look into the future, and along the way, he hopes they’ll be able to get from people what they’d like to have offered at their local library branch in the future, and input on how the new design could be created to do that.
Part of the redesign will also look at connecting with the assets surrounding the library including the NSCAD studio space located in the upper portion behind the library as well as Laurie Peace Park which neighbours the building. They’d also like to find a way to make the Archimedes side of the building more attractive.
“Anything that’s housed in the building here is going to be looked at as part of the design,” he said, with the exception of the fire department.