Hundreds of people flocked to the new North Kamloops Library Thursday even before the ice cream sundaes and cake were dished out at its opening celebration. That level of interest and usage bodes well not only for the library but for the ongoing redevelopment of the North Shore business core, officials said.
“According to the stats, I understand that over 45,000 people have been wandering through the building over the last few weeks,” said Greg Toma, chief administrator of the TNRD. Built over the last two years through a public/private partnership, the $6.5 million library is more than twice the size of the old facility. It forms the core of Library Square, a $12-million to $14-million residential, commercial retail and parkade development.
“It was a unique fit, not only trying to meet the objectives of the TNRD but the City with its objective of making the North Shore happen,” said Casey Van-Dongen of Tri-City Contracting.
One sign they’re on the right track: Library loans were up 12 per cent in its first full month of operation compared to May 2009.
Library staff led visitors on guided tours of the facility, including its computer lab, quiet study area, teen reading area and electronic Self check system that allows users to check out their own books.
“You’ve got to click or it will set off the alarm,” cautioned library technician Laurel Hay-wood-Farmer. “We’d love to help you at the counter but sometimes this is a little faster. ”The young-adult area, augmenting the children’s area and story-time room, is unique in the system", she noted. The area will be kept current by a new teen advisory board to begin in the fall...
From the
Kamloops Daily News