A new Holly community library will be part of the 2021 operating and capital budget Barrie councillors will consider approving in January.
Michael Prowse, the city’s chief administrative officer, gave councillors the news Monday night after they heard a presentation on the new south-end library branch.
The Holly branch would be 4,500 square feet of leased space in a commercial plaza in the Mapleton Avenue/Essa Road area, with a capital cost of almost $1.2 million and an annual operating budget of $851,000 — of which $350,000 would be for staff. The capital cost would come from development charges, which could also cover the lease.
And it could be operational by next summer.
“It’s a quick start, lower-cost version that can maybe finally bring library service to the southwest,” Mayor Jeff Lehman said. “There’s been an interest in that going back for several city councils.”
“It’s something that’s very creative and a smart approach to the problem we have in that area,” said Coun. Clare Riepma.
“A community library in Holly is an essential part of a complete community and addresses an immediate, pressing need,” said Austin Mitchell, chairman of the Barrie Public Library board. “Incorporating a conveniently accessible library into this growing area means residents won’t have to travel across the city to access library services.”
Barrie Public Library’s downtown branch was built in 1996 and is 56,200 sq. ft., while the Painswick branch near Yonge Street and Big Bay Point Road is 15,000 sq. ft. and was built in 2011.
But Holly wouldn’t be the 15,000 sq. ft. mentioned in the city’s facilities master plan.
“It is a small — we’re calling it a boutique — library space,” said Lauren Jessop, Barrie Public Library’s chief executive officer. “But I think we can fit the things in the public is looking for and that really is a focus on spaces to work, spaces to study, places for families to come and visit, with their children.”
She said there are around 6,000 children in the Holly area.
Barrie councillors had a number of questions about plans for the new Holly community library following the presentation.
Coun. Robert Thomson was concerned about safety, given how crowded that area can become.
“I’ve been to that plaza. It’s rammed on the weekends,” he said.
Jessop said that concerns her a little, too, but more after school, and she won’t know for certain until the branch opens.
Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl asked if the operating budget was as lean as possible and about reliance on volunteers.
And beyond the $350,000 for staff, what was the rest of the operating budget for?
Jessop said it was for library materials, replenishing its collection, training, inter-branch courier service, custodial maintenance, electricity, water and insurance. The annual lease could also be covered by development charges, which are designed to recover the capital costs associated with residential and non-residential (commercial, industrial, institutional) growth.
Coun. Jim Harris asked about the gardens planned for the Holly community branch.
“Reading gardens are quite common in public libraries. In fact, our existing two branches each have one,” Jessop said. “An aspect of enjoying a book or the newspaper is sitting outside and reading it, so that’s really important to us.”
Ward 7 Coun. Gary Harvey said he has heard from residents there who want their own library.
“It was predominantly young families and seniors that I was hearing this from,” he said. “Residents have been saying that they would like a library in the area so they can take their children and have better access to their services.
“They also said that the downtown and Painswick locations were too far away, especially for those that rely on public transit.”
Feedback from about 900 Holly residents who visit city branches say it’s too far from their home or work and they would be more likely to visit a library if it was in a convenient spot, such as a community centre or a shopping plaza.
