‘Friends’ given sneak peek of new library

With the new Fort Frances Library and Technology Centre slated to open June 21, local “Friends of the Library” members got a chance to see how the facility is shaping up during a tour Friday afternoon—and the verdict was an overwhelming “thumbs up.”
“Everybody’s going to be delighted,” Jean Boileau said as she looked around the facility.

“It’s just beautiful.”
“I think having more Internet accessibility is going to make a lot of people happy,” remarked Juliana Sprovieri, who retired as a librarian in 2007.
“And also having a separate room where you could have workshops that require 10 or 15 people,” she added.
“There’s more room for everything. Just the fact it’s technologically advanced.
“I think the meeting room is going to be a big asset, too,” noted Sprovieri, referring to the Shaw Communications room located just east of the main entrance.
“Everything is handicapped accessible,” noted Marge Sveinson.
Sveinson, Sprovieri, and Barb Cousineau also all agreed the open concept design and natural lighting was very appealing.
The children’s department also got high marks.
“I am especially impressed by the fact my daughter [Andrea Avis], who is a children’s librarian, is going to have lots of room,” smiled Boileau.
“This is where we’re gearing our funding,” said Ruth Caldwell, referring to the children’s department, which consists of different areas for books and other resources, as well as programming and activities.
“We’re going to help make this room very attractive for the children,” she noted.
“Yes, it’s going to be wonderful,” echoed Boileau. “The first time Andrea saw this, she cried.”
“The children’s department is pretty crowded at the old library,” said Barb Marr, noting that among the many assets of the new children’s area, having a sink and cupboards in the programming area opens up “new crafting possibilities.”
Boileau also pointed out the entire library, including the children’s department, is all on one level—a welcome change from the current bi-level library, which impedes accessibility and is not efficient for staff, either.
All of the “Friends” remarked about how they liked the series of stained-glass windows, which have been installed high on an interior wall standing between the children’s department and the central area where the circulation desk will be.
The windows, which were donated by library patrons over the years and have been transplanted from the Carnegie Library portion of the current library, are in a position so that sunlight will shine right through them when it comes through the building’s numerous windows.
Meanwhile, work on the new library is moving ahead on schedule and on budget, project manager Brian Avis said Friday.
Most of the inside has been painted, much of the trim has gone up, most of the flooring is in, the bathrooms are completed, the fireplace has been installed, and the millwork (i.e., cabinets, desks, cupboards, drawers, etc.) is done for the most part.
Carpeting still has to be put down, the fireplace frontal area has to be done, and some trim has to be put up here and there.
The building then will be inspected for any deficiencies, and any areas that need to be addressed will be.
If work continues going as well as it has, Avis said they’ll be looking at “substantial completion” of the interior by the end of April.
Work also is moving along on the exterior. Vinyl siding has been put up in recent weeks, and the shouldice stone work began last week.
Avis said that depending on the weather, all of the exterior work, including possibly landscaping, could be done by the end of April, too.
Meanwhile, work also is underway on the heat recovery system, which links the library to the arena and will utilize heat from the ice plant to heat the library.
Currently, this heat is exhausted into the air. But when harnessed through this system, it should be able to provide enough heat to keep the entire library warm in the winter months.
(The new building also utilizes “green” technology, such as solar panel collectors on the roof to heat hot water and windows to provide natural light, thereby reduce operating costs and energy use).
“We’re very happy with the contractor and the architect, and the tradesmen. They’ve all been good,” Avis remarked.
But Avis pointed out that even once all of this work is done, there’s still plenty to do in May and June. For instance, the circulation desk, book shelves, chairs, tables, and other furnishings will have to be moved in, as will all of the computers, smart boards, televisions, and other technology.
The current library’s collection, and other items, also will have to be moved over, unpacked, and made ready for patrons to use.
The new facility will include the main circulation area, fiction and non-fiction sections, a reading area, adaptive technology room, study rooms, staff work area and break room, teen area, children’s department, fireside lounge, information technology (IT) training lab, and the Shaw Communications room.
It also will have a self-checkout system, and be completely accessible to those with disabilities. Not only is it a single-story building, but it will have an adaptive technology area where those with vision or physical impairments will be able to use technology to access materials.
The whole facility is equipped for wireless Internet, and will feature many areas for people to sit with their own laptop computers.
It also will have small meeting rooms available for interviews, meetings, and appointments, as well as providing temporary business “incubator” office space, complete with state-of-the-art connectivity, to assist businesses to grow.
As well, there will be space and equipment available to support entrepreneurs to establish or expand their businesses.
The town will work with the Northern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) and the Rainy River Future Development Corp. to facilitate the transfer of information, programming, and services.