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Library Expansion
Photo from May 07, 2013. Taken from the former entrance looking towards the rear of the library.
Library One Step Closer to Completing Expansion
March 18, 2013
March 18, 2013
The Fort Saskatchewan Public Library will be closed beginning Monday, April 8, 2013, for two weeks, and will reopen on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10 am.
The closure will allow the Library to move all services out of the current facility and into a portion of the new expansion, so that it can be renovated during Phase two of construction on the City Hall/Library Expansion project.
“It’s going to be cozy,” says Library Director Angela Kublik. “We are moving the Library out of 10,000 sq. ft. into 4,000 sq. ft. of new space that is already finished, which means we will be reducing library services during the second phase of construction.”
The second phase of construction is expected to be completed over the summer, at which time the Library will close again to have new shelving and furniture delivered and installed before reopening with complete services restored.
“While this temporary move into a smaller space means some inconvenience for library users, the Library Board is excited as we take this next step toward completing the Library Expansion,” says Library Board Chair, Dallas Kristiansen. “Once the expansion is complete, the Library will have 16,000 sq. ft. in total, which will allow the Board to expand collections, bring the program room up to the main level, and increase the number of public access computers and the amount of study area available. These are all things that residents have asked us for repeatedly over the past several years.”
What Library Users Need to Know:
During the April 8-20 Closure:
- Beginning March 18, FSPL owned library materials will be granted extended loan periods so that no items will be due during the closure. All items will be due back Monday, April 22.
- Library materials owned by the Strathcona County Library may be due during the closure, and the Library’s outside book drop (located on 101 Avenue) will be available to return library items. FSPL staff will forward items back to Strathcona County Library as needed.
- FSPL owned library materials will be checked-in once the library reopens on April 20 – all items will be back dated at check-in so that no fines are charged.
- FSPL will not be charging fines on any overdue items returned from April 20 to April 28, 2013 inclusive.
- While the Library is closed, users will still be able to access all online services, including eBooks, newspapers through Press Display, and online databases.
- A reminder that FSPL cardholders can also check out and return items at the Strathcona County Library in Sherwood Park or at any of SCL’s bookmobile stops during the closure or any time.
While the Library is offering reduced services:
- The Library will open with reduced services on April 20, 2013, at 10 am, and will return to its regular opening hours.
- The Library will be accessed through the main atrium of City Hall. A new exterior book drop will be located at the North entrance of the facility and will be available 24/7.
- Parking will be available in the new City Hall parking lot.
- Approximately 40% of the Library’s collections will be available. The focus will be on high demand items, with most of the non-fiction collection going into storage.
- As always, items can be requested from the Strathcona County Library collections online, by phone, or in person.
- There will be a reduction of public access computers from 20 to 10. As a result, time limits may need to be more strictly enforced.
- Quiet study space will be limited.
- Children’s programs will be reduced slightly during this time, and some changes in scheduling will be made.
Questions about the closure or the changes in services while the Library is in the smaller space may be directed to Library staff at 780-998-4275.
It's a MAZE out there!everything you need to know as we build a better future
1. The Library will be open its regular hours:
Monday to Thursday 10 to 9 p.m.
Friday 10 to 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 to 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
CLOSED Sundays in July and August
CLOSED Statutory Holidays
CLOSED Sundays in July and August
CLOSED Statutory Holidays
2. There is a book drop outside our entrance for use when the library is closed.
3. Access to the library is through the entrance on 101 Avenue. On street parking is available.
4. You can reach the library from 101 Street and 103 Street using 101 Avenue. 102 Street is closed for the duration of construction.
5. Construction related disruptions, if any, will be kept to a minimum, and advertised on the Library’s website (www.fspl.ca), on our Facebook page and on Twitter.
6. By the end of 2012 there will be a brand new library with larger collections, more public access computers, larger study areas, more comfortable reading and social areas, new children’s and teen’s areas, a new program room and some exciting new technology!
7. Your suggestions/comments are welcome. Speak to a staff member or email the library at fsasklib@fspl.ca
Library Has New Entrance and Book Drop
Effective June 29, 2011 the Library's entrance moved to 101 Avenue. A book drop is available outside the entrance.
Library Board Celebrates the Start of Construction on Expansion
The Fort Saskatchewan Public Library Board is pleased to celebrate the start of construction of City Centre Square today, along with Mayor Gale Katchur, City Council and Administration.The City Centre Square project includes a 6,400 sq. ft. Library Expansion, which will provide the Library with space for larger collections, more public access computers, larger study areas, and more comfortable reading and social areas for library users of all ages. Included in the plans are new children’s and teen areas, a great new program room, and some exciting new technology.
“It’s an exciting day for the Library Board,” says Board Chair Matthew Fellows. “I would like to thank all of the current and past board members of the Public Library, who worked so tirelessly to grow and promote Public Library Services in Fort Saskatchewan. Thank you to the members of the City Centre Square Advisory Committee, members of the Civic Precinct Civic Building Advisory Committee, City Staff, City Council and Library Staff, and all others in the community who adopted the cause of an expanded Public Library, and championed it all the way to this celebration day.”
Library Director Angela Kublik hopes that Library users will be patient during construction. “Anyone who has done a home renovation project knows that there can be some inconveniences along the way. The Library staff and I are working closely with City staff to ensure there are as few disruptions to services as possible. Even so, we know that the best way to deal with this kind of stress will be a good sense of humour, and so we plan to have a lot of fun over the next year and a half.”
“Stop in often and check out how things are going often,” concluded Kublik. “We are so excited about expanding the Library to provide better service to Fort Saskatchewan residents.”
In June 2010, the voters supported building the Library Expansion Project, which will include a 6,400 sq. ft. increase in library space. On July 13, 2010, City Council passed a debenture borrowing bylaw to fund the project.
The Library Board and Staff are thrilled that the Library will be expanded. This expansion will help us to provide better library services to the residents of Fort Saskatchewan, by allowing more space for larger collections, more public access computers, and larger study areas and comfortable reading areas for library users of all ages. Watch this space for more information on this exciting project!
Questions? Please contact Angela Kublik, Library Director at 780-998-4288 or akublik@fspl.ca.