Thunder Bay Public Library, Waverly Branch - (File Photo)

The master plan reveals that a central library branch and fewer neighbourhood branches would cut down on costs and encourage more people to use the library.

The library released its 2024 Master Facilities Plan on Monday, which has three different scenarios for council to consider.

CEO of the Thunder Bay Public Library, Richard Togman, discusses the options in detail.

“The first option is sticking to the status quo and maintaining the four existing branches,” said Togman. “So, staying the same that we are today and looking at what that would cost the city long term.”

The other two scenarios were given direction by council for further consideration one year ago, on June 26, 2023.

“They both include creating a central library at Intercity Shopping Centre, keeping Waverly and Mary JL Black, and the possible divestiture of the Brodie branch.”

The third option also includes closing the County Park branch.

Funding for all three scenarios looks different. Togman says if they stick to the first option, it would be more expensive to maintain their current buildings than to move into intercity.

He adds that a lot of the buildings are old and need a substantial amount of work, particularly accessibility wise.

For the remaining scenarios, they are asking for $8.5 million from the city if council approves the new central branch. The other funding will come from the library system.

“That will come from the library’s own reserves, provincial grants, and community fundraising,” said Togman. “We’re essentially asking the city to meet us halfway, and we will fund the rest.”

A new location at the Intercity Shopping Centre comes with a multitude of benefits.

“We know that across the country, stand-alone public libraries aren’t being built anymore,” said Togman. “The trend in libraires is that they need to be multi-use in multipurpose destinations. People are going to libraries that have more than one reason to go, such as a library in the mall.”

He adds that visitors can go shopping or get groceries while being attracted to the large-scale library.

The library would be located in one of the most connected points in the city, with nearby transit and major roadways. It would also have access to the mall’s 1,800 parking spaces.

A large, empty warehouse currently sits where the future library would go. If approved by council on July 22, architects need several months prep for construction, then construction itself would take one year.

They hope to be completed in early 2026.