After 59 years of touch-ups, the New Westminster Public Library is finally getting a full makeover.
Once complete, the $4.7-million renovation project will transform the facility, according to Julie Spurrell, chief librarian.
Upstairs, the history room will be expanded and transformed into a new digital literacy centre where library staff and community groups can run programs. Spurrell’s vision is to see the space become a technology hub for the city, where people of all ages and skill levels can take part in classes on everything from creating an email account to more complicated topics like using Photoshop or InDesign.
The space will feature 12 computer stations (possibly even some Apple desktops), and it’ll be dedicated to digital education, Spurrell said.
On the main floor, there will be a new teen space with seating, an improvement over the current area, which isn’t much more than a couple of shelves tucked into the children’s section.
Near the entrance, a new reading lounge will feature couches and comfortable chairs. The longstanding service desks at the front will also be modernized to improve customer service.
“Those service desks have been there since 1978; they’re heritage desks,” Spurrell laughed.
She isn’t kidding.
Built in 1958, the New Westminster Public Library on Sixth Avenue has only gone through one major construction project in its 59 years – in 1978, when the west side of the building was added.
In 2005, changes were made to the second floor. Since then, the city has undertaken a number of safety-related projects, and last year, new carpets were installed.
Work is scheduled to begin in October and wrap up in September 2018.
But it’s not going to happen without some disruption to library users.
“It’s a bit of a longer timeline for construction than is absolutely necessary than if we were to close, but we think closing would not provide good customer service to our community,” Spurrell said.
When construction begins, and as it moves along, staff will close certain areas of the library so crews can work. Alternative entrances will likely be used at different times, too, and there could even be a handful of days when the library is closed completely.
Spurrell does expect the bulk of the work to be completed at night, a decision she said is in the best interest of library patrons and construction crews.
This comes at no extra cost either, she added.
“Our goal is to be as creative as we can be so that people can have access to what they need,” Spurrell said.
“There will be moments where I’m sure people are going to be really annoyed at us, but I think library users are perhaps some of the most dedicated of city groups. … So I think they’re going to be very flexible with us and understanding.”
Library staff, the city and a team of architects and engineers have until the end of June to get all the proposed designs in order before costing begins in July.
Once costing is complete, the project will go to tender once more, this time in search of a construction company to do the work.
“We’re sure that as soon as people know more about the project, it’s going to gain support so that when we come to do construction, people will understand what it is we’re doing,” Spurrell said.
“This is their library. What happens here belongs to them.”
Fast facts about the library
- Built in 1958,the library was expanded in 1978 to its current size.
- Since 1959, the library’s collection has grown from 53,079 items to the 235,148 items counted in 2016.
- There are now 36,578 membershipsto the library, compared to 14,000 in 1958.
- In 2016, more than 800,000 items were borrowedfrom the library, compared to 325,000 in its opening year.
The plan in a nutshell
Here’s what to expect from the new $4.7-million renovation plan at New Westminster Public Library:
Main floor:
- Dedicated teen space
- Improved public service desks
- New ends on shelving
Second floor:
- Additional study room
- Digital learning centre
Meeting rooms:
- Built-in technology in Plaskett Room
- Built-in technology and kitchen upgrade in auditorium
All floors:
- Accessibility upgrades and refurbished public washrooms
Infrastructure changes:
- Upgrades to older public area lighting
- New lighting on the exterior of the building
- Increased building efficiency through improved lighting and replacement of windows
- Replacement of most ceilings and HVAC ducts
- Improved electrical configuration and new electrical transformer
- Painting throughout the building
– Source: New Westminster Public Library renovation backgrounder
