Libraries are about more than books, they're also about building community. And the construction of another community space received its ceremonial start this weekend at the library.
Representatives from the Prince George Public Library, B.C. Legislature, city and First Nations broke ground on the Knowledge Garden outside the Bob Harkins branch Sunday afternoon.
Occupying the long-decried problem space between the library and Civic Centre, the garden will become a gated programming and community area for the city with 330 new plants and shrubs, an amphitheatre and footpaths.
"The library is a place of refuge as well that needs to be inclusive and welcoming," said Prince George-Valemount MLA-elect Shirley Bond. "What better way to do that, not just inside, but outside as well."
The first phase of construction on the fully accessible space begins June 17 with Quesnel's Richbar Nursery at the helm.
"Today is an exciting day and there's a lot of exciting days at the library," said Bond, who praised the leadership of chief librarian Allan Wilson as well as his staff and the board of directors of getting the Knowledge Garden project off the ground. "We're really proud of him and the leadership and ingenuity and today is another day of dreaming big dreams."
The library is an asset for the community and will be a great addition to downtown green space, said Civic Centre manager Myles Tycholis. Speaking on behalf of the city, Tycholis said his lunch breaks will never be the same as long as he's allowed to attend the planned noon hour storytime.
"The library is setting the bar for us here in building this new downtown reading garden," he said.
In addition to digging in the dirt, both Bond and Wilson made contributions to the Knowledge Garden project, which is still looking for donations.
Since it's not yet entirely funded, the work will be done in stages, Wilson said.
"One of the challenges here is that the board has basically expended its funds and we're actually a little bit short," he said. The first phase of the work will be the concrete, walls, excavation and elevations. "Then we'll be planting towards the fall and onward with many of the things that we hope to have in the garden."
If the library can get all the necessary funds for the garden, the next big project will be renovating the entrance, Wilson added.
"We do believe strongly in the use of beautifying a building through art, through glass through plants and through the good people of Prince George," he said.
