Background Documents

• Public Consultation Report (January 2004) (.pdf)
• Focus Groups Report (November 2003) (.pdf)
• Public Survey Report (November 2003) (.pdf)
• Feasibility Study by Walter Fedy Partnership (November 2003) (.pdf)
• Public Presentation - "Growing to Serve You Better" (2003)
• Site Evaluation (May 20, 2003) (.pdf)
• Main Library Assessment Study Report (April 16, 2003) (.pdf)
  
  
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General Background Summary

In 1999, the Kitchener Public Library Board recognized the need to plan for
a new Central Library facility in order to meet the community’s growing demand for resources and services.

In 2003, the KPL Board, with the assistance of Beckman Associates Library Consultants, conducted a needs assessment study regarding the existing Central Library facility. The consultant’s initial report revealed that the current Main Library will no longer meet the needs of Kitchener’s rapidly growing community. Kitchener City Council supports the KPL Board in proceeding with plans for a new Main Library. The City of Kitchener offered 6 possible site locations for evaluation by Beckman Associates Library Consultants.

Beckman Associates Library Consultants Recommendations:

• Feasibility Study determined that 11,982 square metres of space was needed for a new central library
• New library would need maximum flexibility to expand and accommodate future growth
• Facility should be located in downtown core
• Centre Block area was selected as most preferred site of the six evaluated

Also in 2003, the Kitchener Public Library contracted with the Walter Fedy Partnership to undertake a preliminary review of the structural drawings for the present Queen Street facility with respect to expansion capabilities to satisfy the criteria of the Beckman Associates Library Building Program Report.

In general, in their opinion, it is not cost effective to rebuild/renovate our existing structure to satisfy the space requirements indicated in the Beckman Associates Report due to the extensive structural modifications required along with the impact these modifications would make on the existing mechanical/electrical systems.

Public consultation in the planning process is critical and your opinion is important. Public Open House sessions were held in October 2003 at all KPL library locations. You gave us great ideas and asked important questions.

KPL library staff and Board members have also met with local community groups: Waterloo Region District School Board, Multicultural Community, Waterloo Catholic District School Board, and the Kitchener Downtown Business Association, to gather feedback and input into the planning process.

1343 people responded to one of 3 KPL library surveys. In addition to both an Adult and Children’s survey, a community wide survey was distributed in Your Kitchener.

A series of focus group sessions were held in November 2003. We received valuable input from children, teens, seniors, and adult focus group participants.