The Greater Victoria Public Library is one step closer to having a new facility on the West Shore.
Currently under construction in the new Westhills YM-YWCA building, the library will be a point of pride for the GVPL B次元官网网址� the organization highly anticipates the facilityB次元官网网址檚 opening, to be able to show it off to the community.
In a letter to the Langford recently presented to the cityB次元官网网址檚 administration and finance committee, GVPL CEO Maureen Sawa highlighted some of what she is looking forward to in the new facility.
B次元官网网址淐apitalizing on the extensive operating hours of the ,B次元官网网址� she says, B次元官网网址渢his branch will offer a 24/7 open foyer for automated check in, as well as provide access to popular materials for users to borrow after hours via a vending machine.B次元官网网址�
Automated check-in was long ago identified as a requirement for GVPL facilities, she adds, but a library vending machine will be a first for both the library and the City of Langford.
In terms of design, Sawa says the concept plan for the facility provides the public with spaces to interact or create, areas for quiet reading or study and collection displays for both physical and digital materials.
The furniture will all be easily movable, to allow for reconfiguration to suit usersB次元官网网址� needs and allow for the incorporation of innovative services and programs.
Langford city council was expected to accept a recommendation from the committee on Monday evening that would see an additional $1.5-million added to the B次元官网网址淔estivals and Other CultureB次元官网网址� budget section in their overall five-year financial plan. Much of this additional funding is to be earmarked to helping to get the new Westhills facility up and running.
Last April, the libraryB次元官网网址檚 board of directors approved working with the City of Langford B次元官网网址� which expressed interest in developing a new facility at the Westhills location B次元官网网址� and this is the next step in that process, says Lynn Jordan, deputy CEO of the GVPL.
B次元官网网址淭he library doesnB次元官网网址檛 own any property,B次元官网网址� she says, B次元官网网址渟o the municipalities own all of the buildings weB次元官网网址檙e in and they pay the capital costs for those buildings.B次元官网网址�
The municipalities also pay into the regional library operating costs. Langford currently pays more than $1.5 million per year into that fund B次元官网网址� an amount scheduled to reach nearly $1.8 million in 2019 B次元官网网址� which is their portion of operating costs for all library facilities operated by the GVPL.
The influx of new money would be specifically designated, according to Jordan, for the B次元官网网址渟et-upB次元官网网址� of the library in the facility, once the construction has been completed on the building. This will include furniture, hardware, shelving, computer systems, and, of course, the book collection.
For more information on the GVPL and its programs, services and offerings, visit .
mdavies@goldstreamgazette.com
