The paint has dried and the carpet is down in the new space at County Park Library, where Library mascot Zoose the Moose led delighted patrons into the branch’s 892 sqft addition today for its first public event, a Baby and Me Storytime.
The new space has been under renovations since early January and its opening has been eagerly anticipated by staff and patrons alike. As well as providing 500 sqft of much-needed space for the children's and adult programming much in demand by branch users, the addition includes new washroom facilities for Library patrons, a feature that parents and caregivers of small children have been asking for for years.
"It may seem like a small thing," said Ruth Hamlin-Douglas, Head Librarian, "but as the parent of a small child myself I know from experience how much you appreciate having a washroom just steps away when your little one gets a little wiggly during a Storytime."
"We said in March that much of the work that strengthens a public institution happens out of view," said Richard Togman, CEO of Thunder Bay Public Library. "Today, that work is fully visible -- and we're proud to share it with the community."
The County Park expansion is the latest in a series of improvements to Library spaces across Thunder Bay. The renovation follows last summer's refresh of Brodie Library and is taking place alongside ongoing improvements at Waverley Library, where plans for a major renovation are currently in development.