Dragon Boat Festival raises funds to help build branch library

Wow!
August 22 saw a very exciting day of racing out on the water as Barrie Public Library's 7th annual Barrie Dragon Boat Festival took to Kempenfelt Bay. With 49 teams racing and funds being raised for 40 local charities it was a day of marvellous community spirit and camaraderie. We won't know the exact amount of pledges raised until late September, but since its inception in 2003 this Barrie Public Library event has raised more than $925,000 for more than 60 charities alongside your Library. All pledges made to the Library itself go to our Branching Out Capital Campaign fund to build our first Branch Library in south Barrie.

Want to know more about the Festival? Check the dragon boats out at www.barriedragonboatfestival.ca

Everyone here at Barrie Public Library is so excited to be ... Branching Out for our community!
Ann

Design news from the project team

Our project team was pleased with the comments they received at our public information meeting and through the comment sheets.

We’ve heard that you want a library that welcomes all ages of the community from young children through seniors, providing spaces geared to different age groups. There was interest in having space both for programs and events and space for quiet study. Your library should combine the latest in technological resources with a comfortable welcoming environment.

You also want a library that connects to the community it is located in, providing information on local events and resources. The library you envision is aware of the environment and takes advantage of opportunities to be green. You want the library to relate to its physical surroundings and be connected to the outdoors.

We are working on space planning for the library now, using the input provided by our patrons and community members, as well as library staff.

The new library branch will be built to a minimum of LEED Silver standards (an environmental measurement that takes into account how the building is built as well as ongoing operational activity).

We look forward to coming back to the community in the fall with a plan that brings together all the ideas you’ve given us to make your library a place we can all find welcoming.

Shonna Froebel,
Project Team Library Representative
Manager, Adult Information Services - Barrie Public Library