If the Greater Victoria Public Library were to open a new branch in James Bay, would you use it? And if so, what type of branch would you like to see?
These are some of the questions community members are asked as the library board gathers input to assist in determining the best service and size options for a potential new library at Menzies and Superior streets.
The City of Victoria has the option to lease space for library purposes as part of the first phase of the Capital Park development behind the legislature.
The mixed-use project will see a 6.2-acre property redeveloped by Concert Properties and Jawl Development, which purchased it from the province in October 2013.
The site, which now contains parking lots, heritage homes and aging offices, will become home to a blend of retail and office space, rental housing and public spaces, as well as the potential library branch. Proposed amenities include a fitness centre and public plaza, with the first phase tentatively scheduled for completion by spring 2017.
“The survey is to gauge support from the James Bay community for having a neighbourhood branch there,” said Lynne Jordon, the library’s deputy CEO and director of strategic development.
Community feedback on library collections, programs, services and space will be used to help the board refine its 2016 capital budget request to the city, she said.
Library options include a 2,000-square-foot express outlet similar to Langford’s Goudy Branch, offering a limited collection focusing on popular material such as bestsellers, DVDs and CDs, with limited seating and workstations. It could include a vending unit for after-hour access to library collections.
Alternatively, the board could request enough funding for a 3,500-square-foot small neighbourhood branch, similar to Saanich’s Emily Carr Branch. It would house a small, but broad, collection focused on popular material, between eight and 10 computer workstations, flexible living-room seating, areas for children and teens and a small study room, but would not have program or meeting space.
A traditional 7,500-square-foot neighbourhood branch such as Esquimalt’s would offer the broadest collection and have between 12 and 20 workstations and a separate space for programs and community meetings, in addition to areas for children and teens and other features.
“James Bay is kind of a geographical enclave, with a high density of population and a predominance of seniors,” Jordon said. “It can be difficult for them to get to the Central Branch” on Broughton Street downtown.
Library services in the neighbourhood have included Bookmobile visits and an unaffiliated community library as part of the James Bay Project, she said.
A James Bay library would not replace the Central Branch, Victoria’s only library branch. A facilities study by the GVPL has indicated that the City of Victoria would be best served by three branches.
To take the survey, go to gvpl.ca. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 11.
