Brodie Library will be closing its doors to the public from Monday, June 16 until branch renovations are completed in September. During the hiatus, Thunder Bay Public Library will be making a number of changes to address safety and security issues, including:
- hiring new security-focused staff;
- implementing a new floor plan with improved lines of sight and better spaces to browse and study;
- moving most of the branch collection to the main floor for easier access and better building flow;
- creating a dedicated research department on the lower level, with its own service desk for patrons wishing to access the Local History, Photo and Map Collections; and
- helping the Friends of the Library Used Bookstore move from Brodie to Waverley, where evening and weekend hours will better align with customer preferences.
“A temporary closure at Brodie has been part of the restructuring plans we’ve been making for the Library system from the start,” said Library CEO Richard Togman. “However, in light of the increasing and escalating security incidents at the branch, we’re adjusting our schedule to prioritize the Brodie changes.”
Togman says that the extended closure, although driven by unfortunate circumstances, will actually make for a more efficient renovation process. “We’d initially estimated that the changes at Brodie were going to take us upwards of half a year to implement,” Togman said, “but by closing now we’re sparing ourselves months of stepping around renovations and blocking off different areas to the public. The physical changes can happen all at once, and more quickly. At the same time, this gives our staff some relief from what’s been becoming, for some, untenable work conditions. When we reopen, we will have new security staff and a new layout at Brodie, and new procedures across the Library system that significantly improve safety and security for our staff and our patrons.”
Brodie staff will remain on the job during this time. They will be responsible for reorganizing the branch collection to accommodate the new floor plan, and will receive training on new safety, security and customer service procedures. They will also continue to fulfill hold requests for pickup at other branches, ensuring that the Brodie collection remains accessible to patrons. The Research Department will be accessible to patrons by email, ensuring the community continues to have access to the Local History and Special Collections while the branch is closed to the public.