New city hall to be temporary home of Central Library as of next June
Library services will be spread over three floors at new city hall
The temporary home for the Central Library has been approved: inside new city hall.
Currently, there are plans for library services to be spread out over the third, fourth and fifth floors at the new building. Doors are expected to open June 2019.
"For us to be able to use [the new space] almost immediately, it's fantastic," said mayor Drew Dilkens at Monday's announcement. He said it's not the first time a city is doing something like this and the new city hall is "a good fit" for the library.
The search for the library's new home began when the Windsor Public Library Board approved the sale of the Central Library location on Ouellette Avenue to the Downtown Mission in February for $3.6 million.
Dilkens said over 30 locations were considered for the temporary home, one of them being the vacant main floor of the Goyeau Garage.
City just revealed they had zeroed in on the Paul Martin Building for the temporary central library branch, then the Liberal government revealed it would contribute $20M for <a href="https://twitter.com/UWindsor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UWindsor</a>’s law school. <br><br>Library board even had proposal written for that space, which has been derailed <a href="https://t.co/tgaxxqnSSi">pic.twitter.com/tgaxxqnSSi</a>
—@JasonViauCBCLibrary administration staff will be using some space at 400 City Hall Square East.
Kitty Pope, CEO of the Windsor Public Library, said the number of staff will remain the same despite moving into a smaller space. Hours of operation will stay the same as well.
Pope said the temporary move lets the library do more community outreach and be more mobile.
"There's also going to be access to extensive data services and digital resources that will be delivered electronically, right to your phone, right to your iPad," she said during the announcement.
Mayor <a href="https://twitter.com/drewdilkens?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@drewdilkens</a> says they’re still in discussions with <a href="https://twitter.com/StClairCollege?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StClairCollege</a> to see how they can collaborate looking at a new, permanent library. <a href="https://t.co/KuEZkxV97p">pic.twitter.com/KuEZkxV97p</a>
—@JasonViauCBCWhile the library works on moving into the temporary space, it continues to search for its permanent home.
The library has started taking community input and has already received 1,500 comments.
"It's at least a three, if not a four year process if all the ducks line up," she said.