Huntsville Library will begin discussions with Town Finance and Facilities staff for the future new or renovated building.
During the July 22 council meeting, David Tremblay, Huntsville Public Library CEO, and Ray Love, Huntsville Public Library Board chair, shared a presentation regarding library building needs.
“The building is 39 years old, and it’s showing its age. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been as well maintained as it could have been,” said Love. “There are holes in the wall. There’s duct tape holding the carpet together. There’s a men’s washroom that can’t accommodate two large adult males.”
Tremblay said the library had consulted the community regarding patron needs in 2023 to help determine potential priorities for the future new or renovated building.
“The challenge today is that most libraries were not built with contemporary learning needs and activities with people in mind. They were designed to host transactions for the delivery of the book to the patron,” said Tremblay.
Tremblay said the Town of Huntsville Community Services Master Plan from 2022 projects the municipality will be at a total population of 30,000 people by 203, and added the current population sits at approximately around 27,000, including seasonal residences.
“Based on the administrators of Rural and Urban Public Libraries of Ontario’s fourth edition guidelines, which were revised in 2023, a population between 10 and 35,000 recommends a net library space of 10 to 35,000ft²,” said Tremblay.
He said according to the population numbers of the Community Service Master Plan, the library space should be sitting at approximately 27,000ft², but it currently sits at 12,000ft².
“If libraries continue to be under-resourced, they will be underutilized,” he said.
Some of the library needs Love highlighted during the meeting were renovated bathrooms to meet the current AODA standards, updated furniture, dedicated library parking, and dedicated workspaces with natural lighting.
“We’re looking at something in the neighborhood of $4 million for a full renovation,” Love said. “We approached council about the possibility of having a new library in the building across the street. That’s yet to be developed.”
He said the cost of a new building comes to around $9 million.
Tremblay said the library will begin discussions in order to determine budgetary options to present to Council, either as part of the 2025-2026 budget process or separately.
