Sooke’s new library is scheduled to open the week of Feb. 21, giving visitors more space, more features and a bigger collection.
The nearly 13,500-square-foot building on Waddams Way makes an architectural statement with its circular design. Work started on the building in late 2020 and construction is almost wrapped up.
An opening celebration is planned for later in March. No date has been announced yet.
The library’s collection has doubled to 35,000 items. It even has a “maker space” area for visitors to use a 3D printer and other technologies.
It will include more staff, longer hours, new programs, a children’s area, fireplace lounge, laptop bar and study space. It was also designed for residents of Sooke and the Juan de Fuca area to have meetings and socialize.
Thousands of new books were chosen specifically to appeal to residents.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said vibrant, well-used libraries are important indicators of healthy communities.
The Sooke region is “developing quickly and is only poised to continue its growth,” she said.
As the community grew, the old library did not have enough space, Tait said.
Sustainability features were incorporated into the building, including local, sustainable wood, three electric-vehicle-charging stations, underground bicycle parking, and providing for future solar energy.
The building has energy-efficient LED lights, a special system to bring natural light into the building, and floor tiles made with recycled material.
Rain from the roof will run into a rock pit, where it will be absorbed. Runoff water on the site will be filtered through a bioswale, a system built at below-ground level and filled with plants to remove pollutants.
Vancouver Island Regional Library has renovated or rebuilt 13 branches since 2011.
The system has 39 branches from Sooke to Sidney, on B.C.’s central coast and in Haida Gwaii.
