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After 10 years of renovations at the Prince Albert Public Library, all work is complete and the Library celebrated with a grand opening and unveiling of a new exterior sign today.
The 2011 strategic plan identified multiple building issues. A four staged plan was developed to move to an open concept, modular design with better sight lines and a more efficient layout with a single point of contact for the public.
Several benefits of the renovation have been realized including:
- A more modular space with smaller furnishings and portable shelving units that can be quickly repurposed for future needs;
- A single service point to create efficiencies and improve customer service through resourcing at the branch library location;
- An updated interior look to make the facility more inviting;
- Dedicated study space and faster WiFi to serve university students attending the multiple post-secondary schools in the downtown; and
- Energy savings via improved HVAC, energy efficient windows, and an LED lighting conversion.
“We are very excited to show users the library upgrades now that regular library services have resumed post pandemic with movies, public internet, in-person programs and more,” says Alex Juorio, Director of the Prince Albert Public Library. “I invite all members of the public to stop in to check out the new space and see what your local library has to offer.”
The four phases of the renovation include:
Phase one HVAC and Window upgrades
When the original library was designed, the east side of the lower floor was intended to be an uninhabited crawl space. The library board at the time realized that for a comparatively low cost the basement could be excavated to create usable space. This was done, but the HVAC in the building was not upgraded to accommodate the increased interior volume. This meant that the library experienced large temperature changes during hot and cold weather. An engineering study determined that newer energy efficient windows on the north wall of the library would eliminate the need to replace the boiler. Windows and a larger air conditioner capable of maintaining the temperature in the summer were installed in 2012.
Phase Two Children’s Area
The library received a federal dollar matching grant in 2013 and used this funding to carry out a renovation of the children’s area. Offices were removed to create more public space, the story corner walls were removed, and new flooring and shelving was installed.
Later in 2014 the basement was redesigned to accommodate staff space and all non-public facing staff functions. The removal of the lower floor service counter freed enough staff time that the library opened a new branch at the Bernice Sayese Centre at no additional cost to the community.
Phase Three Service counter and security gates
In 2017, the service counter was redesigned and replaced for the first time since the library opened. Being one of the highest traffic areas in the building, a temporary counter was built by the west side library doors. Interior walls were removed to create more space, and a glass entrance corridor was installed with an additional set of security gates.
Phase Four Adult area and Grace Campbell gallery
In 2020 the library took advantage of a shutdown caused by the pandemic to renovate the adult collection area of the building, and the gallery. The pandemic allowed for the storage of the adult collection in the library building, saving on storage costs, and shut downs meant that there was no need to maintain services during the renovation. An interior renovation including paint, flooring, new shelving and seating.
Library summer hours are:
Monday -Thursday 8:30 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Friday – Saturday 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Sundays Closed until after Labour Day
Bernice Sayese Centre hours:
Tuesday and Wednesdays 12:00 - 4:00 P.M.
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For more information contact:
Alex Juorio
Director of the Prince Albert Public Library
(306) 765-4510
ajuorio@princealbertlibrary.ca
Pictured (from left to right): Ted Zurakowski, PAPL Board Member, Cenedella Lee, PAPL Board Member, Alex Juorio, PAPL Director, Tracey Smith, PAPL Vice Chair, Amy Webb, PAPL Vice Chair, Glenda Casavant, PAPL Board Member
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