To Restore Civil Society Start with the Library

Eric Klinenberg. New York Times. September 8. 2018
Excerpts:

A lot of powerful forces in society seem to think so. In recent years, declines in the circulation of bound books in some parts of the country have led prominent critics to argue that libraries are no longer serving their historical function. Countless elected officials insist that in the 21st century — when so many books are digitized, so much public culture exists online and so often people interact virtually — libraries no longer need the support they once commanded. …

But the problem that libraries face today isn’t irrelevance. Indeed, in New York and many other cities, library circulation, program attendance and average hours spent visiting are up. The real problem that libraries face is that so many people are using them, and for such a wide variety of purposes, that library systems and their employees are overwhelmed. According to a 2016 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, about half of all Americans ages 16 and over used a public library in the past year, and two-thirds say that closing their local branch would have a “major impact on their community.” …

Libraries are an example of what I call “social infrastructure”: the physical spaces and organizations that shape the way people interact. Libraries don’t just provide free access to books and other cultural materials, they also offer things like companionship for older adults, de facto child care for busy parents, language instruction for immigrants and welcoming public spaces for the poor, the homeless and young people. …

In many neighborhoods, particularly those where young people aren’t hyper-scheduled in formal after-school programs, libraries are highly popular among adolescents and teenagers who want to spend time with other people their age. One reason is that they’re open, accessible and free. Another is that the library staff members welcome them; in many branches, they even assign areas for teenagers to be with one another. …

Libraries are the kinds of places where people with different backgrounds, passions and interests can take part in a living democratic culture. They are the kinds of places where the public, private and philanthropic sectors can work together to reach for something higher than the bottom line. …

This summer, Forbes magazine published an article arguing that libraries no longer served a purpose and did not deserve public support. The author, an economist, suggested that Amazon replace libraries with its own retail outlets, and claimed that most Americans would prefer a free-market option. The public response — from librarians especially, but also public officials and ordinary citizens — was so overwhelmingly negative that Forbes deleted the article from its website.

For full article:  https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/08/opinion/sunday/civil-society-library.html

New libraries in Canada

5 Teams Bidding to design Ottawa’s New Central Library

April 17, 2018  CBC.CA
The winner will go on to design the new central library/Library and Archives Canada joint facility. Ottawa is one step closer to getting a new main branch. The five teams were selected out of 33 submissions received by the City since May 2017 and all have experience with projects of similar size and scope including libraries, archives, performing arts centres or museums, according to a news release. The five teams are: Bing Thom Architects & GRC Architects; Diamond Schmitt & KWC Architects; Mecanoo International & NORR Architects & Engineers Ltd; Patkau Architects, MSDL Architects & GRC Architects; and Schmidt/hammer/lassen, KPMB Architects & Hobin Architecture Inc.

For more click here.

 

 

OPL Marks Rosemount Branch’s 100 Years in Carnegie building, April 21, 2018

On Saturday, April 21, 2018, The Ottawa Public Library will  mark 100 years of the Rosemount Library branch being located in a Carnegie building at 18 Rosemount Ave in Hintonburg. Join your friends and neighbours for the official ceremony at 12 Noon at the branch. Special kids’ activities throughout the day.

For the Rosemount story click here for Dave Allston’s “The History of the Rosemount Library: Endless Growth“. 

P.S. Let’s get as many library supporters as possible out to see how many people fit in our little library!

Comparing Rosemount Library with other OPL Branches

READ Rosemount has said many times that Rosemount is a very busy branch. We’ve said many times that Rosemount is over crowded. And we’ve said many times that due to its size, Rosemount cannot provide the same great services available in other comparable OPL branches. Our volunteers have worked tirelessly to document the case for an expanded Rosemount branch primarily using the OPL’s own data.
Now that data is available in a convenient and easy to read document.
Take a look at how Rosemount compares to six other branches serving similarly sized populations. We think that you will agree that our community deserves an expanded Rosemount.                                                                                                                                             Josh Nutt, Chair READ Rosemount

 Click here for  Resources    where you will find Rosemount Comparative Stats. 

Rosemount holds 
St-Laurent Children’s area

 

Dec 5, 2017: READ Presents to OPL Board on 2018 Budget

READ Rosemount Chair Josh Nutt made the following presentation to OPL Board.

READ and others already spoke passionately about the need to expand the Rosemount Library at the October board meeting. Rather than rehashing the case for expanding Rosemount, today I want to use my five minutes to talk about how the OPL funds capital projects more broadly.
As urban neighbourhoods intensify, there will be more pressure placed on existing infrastructure. A primary example is the City’s planning rules which call for greater intensification around transit stations. In our neighbourhood around Tunney’s Pasture, it is not uncommon for what was previously a single family home to be replaced with a fourplex. There are even several projects on the go where single lots are being transformed into 20+ unit buildings. While the City’s pro-intensification position is laudable, the City needs to make sure that the necessary supporting infrastructure is in place. This includes a wide variety of hard infrastructure, social services, and libraries. Continue reading Dec 5, 2017: READ Presents to OPL Board on 2018 Budget

OPL Makes important decision on Rosemount library Oct 10

What?  On October 10: The Ottawa Public Library Board is scheduled to make an important decision about the future of the Rosemount Library.
A consultant will present a business case that examines options to renovate Rosemount or build a new Rosemount at a nearby site. OPL staff will also make a presentation and recommendations. The Board will then discuss the options and vote on the recommendations before them.
READ will make a presentation urging the OPL to commit to building a new, larger library that will meet the community’s current and future needs. READ strongly supports choosing a nearby site, such as an expansion of the Hintonburg Community Centre.
When? Tuesday October 10th, 2017 at 5:00pm
Where? Ottawa City Hall-Champlain Room  110 Laurier Avenue
West
 Ottawa,
What you can do?  Come out to the meeting and show your support! Check out our Facebook event  for updates.
Rosemount Exterior Jun ’17
Rosemount interior
Rosemount Exterior, 18 Rosemount


Rosemount interior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosemount Library: The City Should commit to a new plan

“While our neighbourhood does not have access to the same level of development charges as other parts of the city, this should not be an impediment to our residents having access to high-quality library services offered in other Ottawa branch libraries” Josh Nutt, Chair READ Rosemount. Kitchissippi Times/Newswest Sept 28. 2017. Read more…..

Rosemount Kids Section
Rosemount: Dad and toddlers
Rosemount: The study area
Rosemount: The holds area

Toronto Public Library Opens New replacement for old Albion Branch

Toronto Public Library has opened a sparkling new replacement for the old Albion branch in the Etobicoke area. The new Albion is “a community amenity..The books are still there but so are laptops, 3-D printers, video terminals and digital hubs. Talking and eating are ok but there are quiet study rooms too. Gone are the dimly lit interiors, replaced with open spaces filled with natural light and comfortable furniture.” Designed by Perkins + Will this 26.6 K SF, $15M branch library also “stands out as a unique presence on the streetscape“. Christopher Hume, Toronto Star

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/18/etobicokes-albion-library-embraces-changing-urban-landscape-hume.html
https://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/7356798-toronto-public-library-s-new-15m-albion-branch-opens-in-north-etobicoke/