Mounted on the wall next to a large West Coast landscape by Emily Carr, displayed prominently at her namesake library’s new home, are the artist’s own words: “There’s nothing to compare with the push of life.”
The Greater Victoria Public Library’s Emily Carr branch begins its own new life on Monday, opening its doors for the first time at a new location.
On the upper level of Uptown Centre, the 5,600-square-foot library is only a stone’s throw from its former home of 41 years. Despite the proximity, staff are excited at the prospect of attracting new audiences with the updated facility.
“For me, it’s the modernity of the building,” said Olivia Anderson, GVPL district co-ordinator for Saanich and Peninsula, when asked about the most significant change. “There’s nothing like being really proud of the place where you work.”
The District of Saanich is funding the move, which was projected to cost $730,000; the actual cost is expected to be an additional $45,000 to $65,000, said Saanich director of finance Valla Tinney.
The reproduction of Carr’s painting, titled Odds & Ends, is one of several esthetic upgrades, which also include natural light, an outdoor “reading garden” and new technology.
Emily Carr is the first Island branch to use an “automated materials handling” system — a conveyor belt for sorting returns.
Staff also have designed an economical self-checkout system, using tablets and scanners. Combined with a GVPL mobile app that allows you to download your library card’s barcode to your phone, the system means physical library cards are no longer necessary.
There are 30,000 books and 10 Internet stations, plus DVDs, CDs, magazines and video games.
Despite the emphasis on technology, Anderson said there is no plan to reduce the staff of six.
Staff space has been reduced to reflect the new reality of libraries, she said — gone are the large reference and service desks of the former space.
“The role of libraries has changed,” Anderson said. “What we do need is space for staff to get out and help people on the floor.”
Staff can wander with tablets to advise readers, help with checkoutsº and assign new library cards, she said.
The GVPL board voted last April to move the branch from its former site at 3500 Blanshard St. The relocation was identified as a top priority in a 2010 facilities assessment of 10 branches.
Accessibility was the primary problem with the old facility, Anderson said, especially regarding the washrooms. They were cramped and users had to exit the building and enter another door to access them. Without staff in that part of the building, it also became a site for illicit drug use, she said.
“As much as we really loved the old Emily Carr branch, and I know it was very dear to many people, it had run its course,” Anderson said.
The former branch building is to undergo about $1 million in renovations before Saanich Police move in.
Anderson said that although the move is small, she hopes it introduces new audiences to the library. “There are probably many people who shop at Uptown who are maybe not aware of what the public library can provide for them,” she said. “At the same time, I’m confident that my folks from the old branch will come over.”
