Happening This Month
at the Central Library


Stay informed about what's going on
at your downtown library!

Public Consultation

 

From the very beginning, the Kitchener Public Library Board has worked hard to engage our community, our partners and our stakeholders and share information about our plans.

 

Through our community engagement process, we have noted several key elements that the community would like us to achieve in a renovated Central Library building:

 

 

1) Create a welcoming and attractive library space

2) Provide space for library collections to grow and to accommodate new formats

3) Increase the number of computer work-stations

4) Offer space for art displays, lectures, and cultural events

5) Consolidate all services to children in one functional and child-friendly space

6) Improve physical accessibility by lowering book shelves and widening aisles

7) Incorporate energy efficient  and sustainable design features

 

 

Community involvement throughout our design process is key to the creation of a renovated Central Library building that will meet the needs of our growing community for years to come.

 

 

Below is a summary of our Public Consultation efforts to date.  As our project moves forward, there will continue to be opportunities for you to share your thoughts on our plans.

 

 

Ongoing

Central Library Project Blog

Through our project blog, citizens can share their thoughts or concerns with our project team and the community.  Post a comment on the Central Library Project blog or email comments or questions directly to our project team.  Send your emai comments to: kitchenerpubliclibrary@kpl.org.

 

 

 

 

2010

Library Expansion & Civic District Garage Development:

Public Information Session

 

The City of Kitchener and the Kitchener Public Library will begin construction on two major projects at the main branch of the Kitchener Public Library and the adjacent surface parking lot this fall.

The first project will be the development of a 412-space, three-level underground parking garage located between the Gaol Wall and McKenzie King Park towards the Centre in the Square. The second project will be the expansion and renovation of the Kitchener Public Library Main Branch located at 85 Queen Street North.

 

The public is invited to attend a special information session to learn more about:

 

* Library and Garage Designs
* Landscaping Plans
* Vehicular & Pedestrian Access
* Construction Phasing
* Library Fundraising Plans
* Urban Square Concepts


When: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Where: Kitchener Public Library – Hamblin Room, 85 Queen St. N.


Information display boards will be posted outlining the intended work and staff from the library, the city and the consulting team will be available to answer questions.

 


Central Library Project Blog

Through our project blog, citizens can share their thoughts or concerns with our project team and the community.  Post a comment on the Central Library Project blog or email comments or questions directly to our project team.  Send your emai comments to: kitchenerpubliclibrary@kpl.org.

 

 

 

2009

Schematic Designs Display

Throughout November and December, architectural renderings of our Central Library design where on display at the Main Library. The renderings illustrated a variety of external views and the internal floor plans. Also on display were information panels for the three story underground parking complex and the proposed adjacent Urban Square. We received hundreds of feedback response formsduring our display period - thank you for your feedback!


You can view our designs online and email your feedback anytime by visiting the Schematic Designs page of our Central Library Project website.

 

 

Public Open House for Schematic Designs

The Kitchener Public Library, City of Kitchener, and Civic District Partners, hosted an Open House on November 3rd at the Main Library to share schematic designs of a renovated library on Queen Street, including a 25,000 sq. ft. addition and 412 space, three level underground parking structure.  The Open House provided the community with an opportunity to see basic floor layouts and the proposed location of services and collections.  There was also an opportunity to view and comment on a series of concepts for the development of a future Civic District urban square.

 

 As we progress towards detailed designs – we will again invite the community to provide feedback.

 

 

Jazz at the Library Concert and meet Project Architect Event

In July, as a “kick-off” to the architectural design phase for the Central Library, our architect team of Levitt Goodman Architects in association with The Walter Fedy Partnership and Phillip H. Carter Architect sponsored a special Jazz Concert in the Main Library’s auditorium. The event drew a standing-room only crowd of over 200 people. Attendees had an opportunity to look at displays about the library’s architectural team, the Civic District vision, the library renovation and expansion project, ask questions, and of course, enjoy a great show.

 

 

Civic District Open House

In April, Civic District Partners, including Centre in the Square, KW Art Gallery, Registry Theatre, and KPL hosted a special Open House forum and shared their combined vision for a revitalized Civic District area.  The event was well attended by both the public and the media.

 

 

 

2008 

Press Conference on Three Proposed Renovation Options

In April, the Kitchener Public Library Board hosted a press conference and shared three proposed options for a renovated Central Library on the current Queen Street site within the Civic District.  The press conference was very well attended by both the community and local media.  Based in part on the feedback and customer support obtained, the Library Board presented its recommendation for the preferred renovation and expansion option to Kitchener’s City Council.

 

 

Postcard Campaign

In an effort to demonstrate support for the renovation and expansion of the Central Library, the Library Board invited the community to forward their support for the project to City Hall via a special postcard campaign.  The community showed their support for the Central Library Project through an impressive return of supporting postcards.

 

 

2007

Civic District Visioning Process

In response to public feedback, the idea to revitalize the Civic District was born.  The Civic District, bordered by Queen, Ellen, Frederick and Weber Streets, boasts a rich arts and culture landscape and includes such notable institutions as the Centre-in-the-Square, KW Art Gallery, the Registry Theatre, and Kitchener Public Library.  The Kitchener Public Library’s Main Library building is viewed as a key anchor institution within the district, and its renovation and expansion is seen as an important catalyst to the revitalization of the entire district.

 

 

Community Think Tank

KPL invited community leaders to a Think Tank to discuss the future role of KPL in the community.  Community leaders recognized the role the library plays in building community as a gathering place for people, the important role the library plays in enhancing print and electronic literacy skills, and the more traditional role as a trusted and valued source for information.

 

 

2006

Centre Block Citizen Forum

The City of Kitchener held a Centre Block Citizen Forum to solicit public feedback on the development of the Centre Block.  There was support for an “improved and enhanced Central Library” on the current Queen Street location.  KPL responded by initiating a study with Levitt Goodman Architects to access to what degree the existing Main Library building and site could meet KPL’s future space and functional requirements.

 

 

2005

Building Program & Conceptual Drawings

The architectural firm of Levitt Goodman Architects was retained to prepare conceptual designs for a new Central Library to be located on the Centre Block property adjacent to Kitchener’s City Hall.  These renderings were shared with the public and with the media.

 

 

2004

Town Hall – September 30th at City Hall

The community was invited to attend a Town Hall Meeting concerning the proposed construction of a new Central Library.  Delegations were in attendance to answer questions and to take comments.  Glen Murray, former Mayor of Winnipeg, was a special guest speaker for the evening and described the exciting Millennium Library project in the heart of downtown Winnipeg.

 

 

Central Library Business Case

Kitchener Public Library Board presented a Business Case to the City of Kitchener documenting the need for a new Central Library.  KPL undertook public consultation following the presentation of the Business Case.  The majority of participants favoured construction of a new Central Library.

 

 

2003

Open House, Survey, and Focus Groups

The Kitchener Public Library Board began in earnest to seek community support for the concept of a new and enlarged Central Library for Kitchener.   1,400 community members attended information session and offered their input via surveys and focus groups.  The feedback obtained convinced the Library Board that there was strong support for a new Central Library.