After six weeks and around $350,000, the downtown Kamloops library has opened its doors to the public, and already the new services are having an impact.
Judy Moore, chief librarian with the Thompson Nicola Regional Library System, says meeting spaces are already drawing groups in. The three rooms are just one of the new additions as part of the library's modernization project, which includes a children's programming area, space for public presentations, brighter, more open space and a new attitude toward serving the public.
"The most important change that users will notice as they come in is staff front and centre," she says. "We haven't hired new staff, but what we have done is some pretty intensive training with our staff in terms of providing that value-added service."
That training means the library will have a more retail-like feel to it, especially on the lower floor. Downstairs includes a children's books section, an area for teens and young adults, large print books, DVDs, public computers, magazines, newspapers and a space for an 800-square-foot café.
Upstairs is adult fiction, reference books, a study space, meeting rooms and a space for presentations. The two floors have been designed with the users of the space in mind.
"It's quiet space up here so we're really very much zoning for noise," she says. "People can play chess up here, study, people with small businesses can have access to Wi-Fi."
While the space is more open and has new services, it does mean fewer books are on the shelves. Moore says a review of the books the library system had resulted in 25 per cent of the adult fiction being removed.
"When we repositioned and realigned all of our shelving and opened up the sight lines, it made sense to go in and cull the collection. Those were materials that hadn't gone out in years," she says. "We know ... in terms of data and best library practices, a more popular reading collection of newer materials outperforms large collections of old materials."
Some of that open space is going toward more space for younger people. While children have an enclosed space for programmed activities like storytime or puppet shows, there's also more reading room for youth.
"We wanted to shine a light on youth and youth services," Moore says. "That is an area we want to address in a bigger way as we move forward."
Another change is still to come. Moore says the library will become an access point for Lynda.com, a do-it-yourself training website.
While the café was one of the big items discussed when the renovations were first announced, library administration is still looking for someone to take on the project. They're working with a local leasing agent to set that up.
"We want to drive an enhanced library experience. That includes coffee," she explains. "We want to position the café to have an awesome business."
For those interested in visiting the library, but need a bit of a reason, it'll be host to a new series of lectures. The Dean's Lecture Series is a new partnership between the library and TRU.
This month will see the debut talk on April 19. Titled Darwin's Voyage Revisited: A Biologist's Reflections, it will be presented by Tom Dickenson, the university's dean of science. The series is free to attend, but registration is required. For more click here.
