Dancing ...

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!

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

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!

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

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

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