The Hanover Library says it will need to double its available space in order to meet the needs of the Town moving forward.
Carolyn Caskanette, CEO and Chief Librarian, presented to council this week, saying the space needs have been known about for over a decade and it was time for the Town to start exploring options.
"The completed space needs report has made it clear our current library building cannot meet the needs of Hanover, not today and certainly not as we continue to grow," she said. "The report shows that our library is significant undersized; lacks adequate space for staff, programming, and collections; and it does not fully meet accessability standards. Simply put, if we want to keep delivering the services that matter to so many, we cannot remain where we are."
A report about the library's space needs was first brought to council in 2015. Using figures from the Ontario Public Library Guidelines, the updated report showed the library requires at least 11,000 sq ft and is currently operating in an area of just over 5,000.
Councillor Susan Sakal said she remembered when the study was first brought to council in 2015.
"I remember being so excited at the time... and as we know 11 years later nothing has happened," she told council. "We had a fire hall that needed to built, we have a police service station that needs to be built. Well now it's time for a library, and I sure hope we can do something about it this time.
Sakal also noted that the Library is standalone, not part of a branch in a network, meaning it requires more resources. The Hanover Library currently serves a regional projection of about 15,000 people.
Grey County looked at the prospect of a county-wide network earlier this year, but opted not to move forward with it.
Caskanette said the Library Board wasn't looking for a budget commitment, just a committee to begin looking at options for where they could go in the future. That could include a new library or a new municipal office, allowing the library to occupy more space at the current building.
"Modern libraries are designed to be vibrant community hubs with flexible, technology-rich environments that can accomodate a variety of activities beyond your collection, including: community events, informal socialization and digital learning," she said. "Hanover's current space is unable to meet these evolving standards, highlighting the urgent need for expansion or a new library facility."
Caskanette requested a committee be formed to look at options, however, CAO Sherri Walden noted with a municipal election coming in the fall, it might be an odd time to form a committee.
A report on the options will return to council in the future.
