Branching Out Campaign

Walls Going Up

2011-04-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

Today at the site we saw (from top to bottom)

The Mechanical Room, drywalled and painted, ready for equipment.

The Electrical Room, drywalled and painted, with installation begun.

Steel framing, conduit and ductwork in the ceiling.

Our Branch Manager's Office, with a window framed to look out into the library.

It's looking good, and hopefully all the mud will dry up soon so work around the building can really get going!

Taking Shape

2011-04-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

The library is taking shape both inside and out.

From top to bottom, we see:

the view of the library from parking lot;

the shipping and staff entrance;

the bay window in the children's area;

wall framing and duct work ready to install;

looking southeast from the inner entrance to the library;

the lobby;

and the exterior view of the meeting room space from Dean Avenue.

March of Progress

2011-03-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

We've got some new pictures to show the progress of the building. This one is an interior shot looking toward the meeting room area. You can see the large front window.

This picture shows the back south side, where the loading dock will be.

This picture shows the back north side, where staff work space will be located.

The windows will also look into our book sorting room.

Here you can see the front of the building facing Dean, with the overhang. This side will be mostly glass and offer lots of natural light into the library space.

This is the view of the front north corner where the large meeting room space will be. It will offer more space than our meetings rooms at the library downtown and a large window.

Here you see the front of the building looking north, with the overhang and work on the roofing progressing.

This picture shows some of the work going on for the roofing of the main part of the library. You can see the layers of material going on the soffit.

Painswick Branch Taking Shape

2011-01-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

Our city project manager says:

As you can see the structural steel is 98% complete and roof decking (the underside of the roof) is complete. Steel studs and exterior insulation are in progress.

The building is starting to take shape!!

A New Year 2011

2011-01-04T11:33:00.000-08:00

Now that 2011 has come we are gearing up in anticipation for the opening of the new Painswick Branch Library later this year. When visiting the site today you can see that steel structures are going up.

So close yet so far away.

Look the walls are forming

2010-11-15T12:16:00.000-08:00

These Pictures were taken November 10 and as you can see the walls are going up. The workers are on site and progress is moving along. It sure looks bettter than a pile of dirt that we started with at the launch of the site.

The neighbors are getting excited as they see progress with their new branch library each month.

Recent Progress at the Site

2010-10-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

We have been seeing footing get finished and walls beginning to appear for the new branch. Rain has made for some delays as concrete work and rain don't always go together, but things are moving forward steadily.

The first picture gives you an overview of the site, the second one is the front wall, which is partially done, with green drainage tubes showing. The third picture is the side and back foundation walls finished.

We're looking forward to the utilities going in soon, which will take us another step forward.

Footings Are In

2010-09-16T11:27:00.001-07:00

Out at the site this morning, before the rain began in earnest we see that the library is starting to take shape. The footings for the new library are in the ground, and include rebar that will link them with the walls above. The picture with the crane is the wall facing Dean Avenue, and you can see the jog in the wall where the entrance will be.

The second picture is the wall facing the service road and the Zehr's.

Thanks go to our project manager, Frank, for the pictures.

-- Shonna

Digging In!

2010-09-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

Excavations have begun for Painswick Branch of the Barrie Public Library.

Digging for the footings for the building began today.
The formwork will go in next, followed by the foundations themselves.
We are all so excited to see this progress!

Shonna

Site news!

2010-09-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

As we get closer to reaching our million dollar goal to build the first Branch Library in south Barrie, activities are starting at the location site. The construction trailer has arrived and this week safety fencing was being installed. No doubt the big pieces of equipment will soon start to follow.

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

Moving on up!

2010-08-06T08:49:00.001-07:00

Great news as our Branching Out campaign keeps moving forward. With the impetus of the Summer Gift Challenge we've now reached 95% raised towards our million dollar goal to build the first Branch Library in south Barrie.

Keep it coming folks!

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

Summer Gift Challenge - Double your donation!

2010-05-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

We're 90% towards our goal. Help us reach it!
You can double your impact right now with this Summer Gift Challenge. Your support is essential to help us build the first Branch Library in south Barrie.

I'm so excited to share with you all that an anonymous donor has issued a Summer Gift Challenge and will generously match all donations to this appeal, dollar-for-dollar, to a maximum of $30,000.

Every day we get closer to that million dollar goal.
Make your gift go twice as far by donating now!

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

90% and counting ...

2010-04-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

We're getting closer every day to reaching the million dollar goal of the Branching Out capital campaign to help build the first branch library in Barrie. This week we broke the 90% mark, thanks to recent gifts.

At this point every bit helps - have you made your donation yet? Go to our donation information to help the books pile up as we stretch towards our goal.

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

Ground breaking!

2010-03-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

What a great morning!

This morning was the official sod turning at the site of the first Branch Library here in Barrie, and we saw quite the crowd gathered to watch. The Acting Mayor (Alex Nuttal) was there with a shiny silver shovel, and he was ably assisted by Catherine Virgo (Chair of the Barrie Public Library Board), Tim Johnston (Chair of the Branching Out capital campaign), Councillor Andrew Prince and Councillor Lynn Strachan, and Al Davis (CEO and Director of Library Services).
[Photograph shows Campaign team and Board members]

The sun shone brightly on a fun and successful event, with many eager members of the public, campaign benefactors, City staff, Library staff, Board members and volunteers all watching from the sidelines. (Make sure to watch A Channel and Rogers Television tonight, and see tomorrow's newspapers for coverage of the event.)

Afterwards we adjourned next door to The Terraces at Heritage Square for a reception that allowed time for questions and viewing of the building designs.

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

Breaking ground!

2010-03-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

At 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30 you are invited to join our Branching Out Campaign Chair, your Library Board, Campaign Team, plus Library and City staff as we venture forth to break ground for the first Branch Library in Barrie. Please join us at the site on Dean Avenue for the official sod turning, followed by a light reception at The Terraces at Heritage Square (right next door).

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

2009-12-15T14:27:00.001-08:00

What excitement on Sunday night as the grand finale of the Tranter Institute's "Dancing with the Stars - Barrie" event reached a glamorous conclusion and Tara Dawn and Clark were declared winners of the first trophy! Lynn Strachan and Lou came a very close second with tension running high.

Everyone here at the library is heartened when community support such as this comes to the fore, with individuals and businesses putting on their own events to help build the first branch library in Barrie. Our sincere thanks to Monica and all at the Tranter Institute.

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

Ice cream cakes for Branching Out!

2009-11-27T13:36:00.000-08:00

Help raise funds for the first Branch Library with Marble Slab Creamery!

Buy an ice cream cake on Saturday, December 5th and Marble Slab Creamery will give $5 to the Branching Out campaign

Yummily delicious - and helpful too!!! Enjoy!

Dancing ...

2009-11-25T07:27:00.000-08:00

The energy was running high last night at the Southshore Community Centre during the Tranter Institute's "Dancing with the Stars Barrie" event! Local celebrities once again took to the stage alongside their dance professionals in front of a wildly appreciative audience, and a great time was had by all.

Barrie Public Library says a huge thank you to the Tranter Institute for creating and putting on this event with proceeds going to the Branching Out campaign to build the first branch library in Barrie's south end. Monica and her team have done a great job, with an exciting finale yet to come. Your generosity is much appreciated - thank you!

If you haven't been able to get out to "Dancing with the Stars Barrie" on Tuesdays nights during November don't despair - there's still a couple more opportunities to join in the fun. You can go to the Open House being held at the Tranter Institute on December 5th, from 1pm - 3pm. Or you can still get tickets for the Final Competition & Gala Event being held at the Georgian College Theatre on Sunday, December 13th. General admission and V.I.P. tickets are still available and can be purchased at the Tranter Institute or at the Library. Check out the Tranter Institute website for full details ... then get out there dancing!

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

Branch design on display at BPL!

2009-11-18T07:43:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,
Last Thursday's Open House with ZAS Architacts sharing the Branch Library design with the public was a great success and we heard many positive comments on the proposed design. If you could not make it out to the Open House you can still see the designs. Large versions are on display at the Downtown Library (look on the Main Floor near the elevator) and you can also view them here on our Branching Out website at this page

Our Branching Out campaign gains momentum and the excitement continues to build. Make your donation today through the Branching out website or in person at the Downtown Library.

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

Branch Library design

2009-11-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

Very exciting news everybody!

South-end Branch Library
Architect’s Open House

The preliminary design concepts are ready! Everyone is invited to join us at this Open House to view the plans for the south-end Branch Library.

Thursday, November 12
7pm – 9pm
At St. Peter’s Secondary School
201 Ashford Drive (Yonge Street & Ashford Drive)

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

Taking Flight!

2009-10-28T15:06:00.001-07:00

Whoooo!
What a great gala evening here at the library on Friday night ... delicious food, exciting performers, smooth jazz, an intense live auction, and wonderful guests! The library was transformed with moving lighting, secret corners and beautiful florals - through much hard work from many people. Stay tuned to see how much was raised towards our Branching Out campaign goal ... and be assured that next October will see our 2nd. annual A Novel Night Out gala event.

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

75% and growing

2009-10-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

Wow - 75% towards our million dollar goal and Branching Out just keeps growing! And that's good - very good - because we need the help of our community to reach that goal and build Barrie's first branch library. It's been a busy, busy Summer with all our Branching Out campaign team volunteers working hard.

Excitement is also growing as some wonderful fundraising events start happening. Check out details on the Events page of our Branching Out website, then come on out to join in the fun.

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

Dragon Boat Festival raises funds to help build branch library

2009-08-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

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

70% + more!

2009-07-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

Things are very exciting here this week as a lot of things move forward all at once!
- We've now hit 70% of our fundraising goal - thanks to everyone who has already made their gift! If you haven't donated yet then please go to the Branching Out campaign website at www.branchingoutbpl.ca and donate now.
- tonight is an Open House with the project architects: an opportunity for them to meet our community and gather public input on the design of this branch library
- and today the "future home" sign went up on the site selected for the first branch library in Barrie. See the photo!

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

Field trip

2009-07-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

This past week the Branch Library Project Team took a field trip to search out ideas we might want to incorporate into Barrie's first branch library. Library staff, City staff and ZAS Architects visited various libraries in Ontario and came back with some great "nice to haves" and some definite "don't wants".

We're also all looking forward to the public Open House on Thursday, July 23rd from 7pm – 9pm at the South Shore Community Centre. The Open House will introduce the architectural firm, ZAS Architects, and acquire preliminary feedback from the public to move forward with the architectural concept and design stage of the project.

Evereyone here at Barrie Public Library is so excited to be ... Branching Out for our Community

Architects named!

2009-07-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

What exciting news this week!
Everybody here at Barrie Public Library (BPL) knows we've moved a step closer toward the creation of a new library branch in Barrie’s south end with the naming of ZAS Architects as the architecture firm for the project.

Paul Stevens, principal architect with ZAS, told me that his company believes "libraries are one of the key building blocks of creating vibrant, sustainable communities”, and that "this project points to a bright future for library users in Barrie". He also said that they are absolutely delighted to be working with Barrie Public Library and the City of Barrie on the design of the new Painswick Branch. In turn, the Branch Library project team are pleased to be working with a company that has such a great view of libraries.

ZAS Architects has been responsible for numerous high-profile public projects across the country and around the world, including several libraries. The firm was recently acknowledged by the Ontario Library Association for its work on the St. James Town Public Library in Toronto. Catherine Virgo, Chair of the Board of Trustees here at BPL, is confident that by working with ZAS and consulting with local residents, we will create a modern, welcoming library space that will make our library services accessible to more Barrie residents than ever before.

To help achieve this an Open House is scheduled on Thursday, July 23rd from 7pm – 9pm at the South Shore Community Centre, 205 Lakeshore Drive, to introduce the architectural firm heading up the project and acquire preliminary feedback from the public to move forward with the architectural concept and design stage of the project. We hope to see you there!

We're so excited to be ... Branching Out for our Community

Just the facts Ma'am!

2009-06-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

Hello.
My name is Al Davis, and I’m the CEO And Director of Library Services here at Barrie Public Library.

Earlier this week the Library received a visit from a south Barrie elementary school and one of the teachers commented that she was surprised by the number of students in her class that have not been to the Library before. She was well aware that there is to be a Branch Library in south Barrie and can’t wait for it open.

Our library usage studies and community surveys show that not as many of the people living and moving to south Barrie are able to access the downtown location as people living in the rest of the City. It was gratifying to know that the Branch is not only needed but is important and awaited with anticipation by the citizens in that part of Barrie. However, it also saddens me that these young people have been missing the opportunity to enrich their imagination and literacy skills.

Our transportation studies and demographic studies show us that many of the families have one member who commutes to the GTA and, often, that means that the family’s transportation is not available during the day. With the growth that Barrie has experienced in the last few years, our downtown location is barely adequate to serve those citizens who are managing to get to the Library. Our registered story times are filled within hours of their being available and registrations or attendance at most of our programs are so large, that we cannot use the Library’s program rooms but must use the community meeting rooms. Even then, room capacity limits prevent our allowing all the children to attend the programs. It saddens library staff to turn away expectant children and their parents. The “Library on the Loose” story times held at the Zehrs store near to where the branch library will be located are so well attended that the Library has to provide two sessions each week. Again, room capacity restrictions limit the number of children who can attend. Parents are appreciative of the “off site” programs but never fail to remind us that it is not a library and that is what they really need.

It is not just the children who are affected. Youth and adults too have information needs that can only be met with a library service. Whether it is information to complete a school assignment or a work related project, the Library is the only adequate place where an individual can receive assistance in navigating the world’s information resources either with books, journals or on-line data bases to meet their particular knowledge need. Knowledge needs also exist for adults and seniors looking to enrich their lives or for recreational or cultural development. Many individuals need assistance to access certain services including government services or to participate fully in the civic, provincial or federal democratic processes. The Barrie Public Library provides this informational assistance. As well, the Library provides information to assist citizens with consumer health information and even those either starting or operating a business. The Barrie Public Library has more than 200 partnerships with various community and government organizations to provide information including special workshops or public presentations. The Library is often referred to as the community’s living room. The Library likes to think that it acts as a focus for the local community and provides meeting space for local organizations to meet and link with their community through the Library. South Barrie, the area of largest projected growth, needs this focus and level of library service in their community to become part of the larger Barrie community.

As the CEO of the Barrie Public Library, I am very excited and gratified by City Council’s support as well as the rest of the City of Barrie’s Administration to make the extension of library services to south Barrie a reality. City Council sees how important library services are to our community and how essential it is that everyone growing up or having grown up, living in Barrie, is able to participate in today’s knowledge society with full access to all the important sources for information as well as be able to participate in the opportunities life in Barrie can provide.

The Branch Library will be 15,000 square feet located behind the Zehr’s store off Dean Avenue on the Painswick Town Centre site. Development charges collected from the new homes and business will pay for 90% of the building costs without affecting the property taxes of current residents. The remaining amount of money, $1,000,000 will be raised though a Capital Campaign (Branching Out) by a volunteer team of citizens and library supporters on behalf of the Library. All of the funds will go directly toward the building of the new Branch Library. The City of Barrie has committed to support the operation of this Branch Library and the Branch is expected to open in early 2011 as part of the new Barrie Public Library system. It will be a full service branch with hours and a service profile to meet the specific needs of the south Barrie community. Community input will be sought to discover just what services the community expects.

Let’s hope that anyone living in Barrie can say that they are able to visit their public library and that no one is excluded from all the information necessary to lead a fulfilling and successful life because of a transportation or access issue. Barrie should have one of the best communities and be the place for anyone to choose to live.

Everyone here at the Library can't wait for the Branch to open. We're so excited to be ... Branching Out for our Community.

2009-06-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

With a project as important as a new branch library, naturally there are many people involved. From time to time I hope to introduce you to some of those people right here so you can get a peek of our campaign and project progress from different viewpoints.

My first guest blogger will be Al Davis, CEO and Director of Library Services.
Al is doing a great job of leading your Library through times of change and if you're looking for the facts then watch for his first guest spot here.

We're so excited to be ... Branching Out for our Community.

2009-06-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

My name is Ann Andrusyszyn and I'm the Manager of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications at Barrie Public Library in Barrie, Ontario. It's a very exciting time right now at our Library as we get ready to build our first Branch Library in the City. Did you know that Barrie is the only city in Canada with more than 100,000 citizens and only one library? Yes indeed - and it's time to start evening up the odds!

Our first Branch Library will be in the southeast corner of the city and our Branching Out Campaign has the goal of raising $1 million to help build that branch. As the co-ordinator of the campaign I get to work with some fantastic volunteers in our community, as well as the great staff of our Library, and I hope to introduce you to some of them here on this blog. There are challenges of course, but a capital campaign is one of the most exciting things a fundraiser can do so it's also very fulfilling. Stay tuned for more info right here, because part of the "new skills to learn in campaign" is this one ... becoming a campaign blogger! Whoo-hoo!

Everyone here at the Library can't wait for the Branch to open. We're so excited to be ... Branching Out for our Community.