Kitchener Public Library

The Kitchener Public Library is the public library system for the city of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It consists of five libraries; a large Central Library in the downtown core, with four Community Libraries spread out to provide services for the neighbourhoods of Kitchener.

Kitchener Public Library
Central Library in downtown Kitchener
Established1884
Location85 Queen Street North,
Kitchener, Ontario N2H 2H1
Branches5
Collection
Items collectedbusiness directories, phone books, maps, government publications, books, periodicals, genealogy, local history,
Size580,000 books
5,000 audiovisuals
107,000 square feet
Access and use
Circulation2,000,000
Population served200,000
1,000,000 (annual visits)
600,000 (annual web visits)
Other information
Budget$9.2m
DirectorMary Chevreau
Websitewww.kpl.org
Map

History

The main branch of the Kitchener Public Library opened at 85 Queen Street in May 1962. Its origins date back to the Mechanics Institute first established in 1854, that grew within the first year to nearly 1,000 books in German and English.[1] The collection, maintained by membership fees and private subscriptions, was destroyed by fire in the 1860s and was replaced in 1871 by a library located on the first floor of the town hall.[1] The Berlin Public Library was officially formed in 1884 following the passing of the Free Libraries Act two years prior.[1]

The present library replaced the Berlin Public Library which originally opened in 1884 with a collection of 2,855 volumes on the first floor of the town hall. The Berlin Public Library was moved when it became a Carnegie library, opening on January 8, 1904, which was located at Queen and Weber.[2][1] Mabel Dunham served as Chief Librarian at the new location from 1908 to 1944.[3][4] The Carnegie library was demolished following the opening of the Queen Street location in 1962.[5]

Expansion

In 2010 the main branch underwent a $40 million 25,000-square-foot expansion. Completed in 2013, the project increased floor space by 30% (from around 82,000 square feet to 107,000 square feet), and made the entire building wheelchair accessible.[6] Designed by Levitt Goodman Architects, the building was awarded a 2015 Library Architectural and Design Transformation award by the Ontario Library Association.[7]

In 2015 the Kitchener Public Library became the first library in Canada to lend out internet Hotspots.[8]

Services
  • Information and reference services
  • Access to full text databases
  • Community information
  • Internet and computer access
  • Virtual reality booth at the Central location
  • Free wifi at all locations
  • Free wifi hotspots available to borrow
  • Reader's advisory services
  • Programs for children, youth and adults
  • Live music performances
  • Delivery to homebound individuals
  • Interlibrary loan
  • Free downloadable e-books
  • Free downloadable audiobooks
  • Free downloadable music
  • Free livestream movies and TV programs
  • Art gallery featuring local artists at the Central location
  • Musical instrument lending program

Branches

The Kitchener Public Library system consists of a Central Library in the downtown core, and four Community Library locations throughout the City. The Central Library was completely renovated and expanded in 2014.

BranchFoundedPresent building openedAttached public facility
Central 18841962 (expansion opened 2014)Standalone
Grand River Stanley Park 19712002Grand River Collegiate Institute
Forest Heights 19761976Forest Heights Community Pool; Forest Heights Collegiate Institute
Pioneer Park 19821989Doon-Pioneer Park Community Centre
Country Hills 20042004St. Mary's High School

See also

References
  1. "Library observing its 100th birthday". The Record. 22 June 1954. p. 18. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  2. Uttley, W. V. A History of Kitchener, Ontario. Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1975
  3. "Mabel Dunham Biography". cfuwkw.org. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  4. "Mabel Dunham". Mennonite Archives of Ontario. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  5. Bushell, Gayle (2011). "Berlin (Kitchener) Carnegie Library". publish.uwo.ca. University of Western Ontario. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  6. Pender, T (18 May 2011). "Kitchener library expansion underway". The Record. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  7. "Building Award Winners". www.accessola.org. OLA. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  8. Thompson, Catherine. "KPL Is First Library in Canada to Lend out Internet Hot Spot Devices." Waterloo Regional Record, 8 Oct. 2015.

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