Library History

As the population of Barrie has grown, so has its library.

People love their library!

The first public library in Barrie was established in 1854. The Library remains deeply valued by it citizens. It has expanded and adapted to meet the needs of our growing community.

Our current downtown branch, which was opened in November of 1996, has become a cherished City landmark.

The Library is extremely well used by the people of Barrie. By 2002, in less than 10 years, the facility reached its targeted capacity to serve our population, which continues to experience rapid growth.

According to preliminary 2006 Census data, Barrie was the fastest growing metropolitan area in Canada with 148,461 citizens in Barrie and Oro-Medonte, which the Library also serves.

When compared to other public libraries serving a population of more than 100,000, Barrie is the only city with a single library location. Most cities this size usually have three branches.

Canadian Public Library Statistics showed Barrie Public Library had the:

• highest percentage of the population using the Library
• highest circulation of books per patron
• most patrons per staff member
• most activities per hour
• most visits per hour

All of this is achieved with the lowest square footage of library space per citizen.

There is a queue every day to enter the Library at opening time. When possible, the Library has used other spaces in the community to try to accommodate the increasing demand for programming. It has extended its hours and outreach programs in the community.

The Need for Branch Libraries

Our strong, vibrant downtown library is a solid base on which to build a much-needed multi-branch system. In doing so, the City of Barrie will continue to provide access to the world’s knowledge through our public library.

More than half of new Barrie residents, many of them young families, settle in the City’s south end. The time is right to develop branches to meet the needs of Barrie. A new branch at Yonge Street and Big Bay Point Road will serve as a catalyst in the community, while enhancing Barrie Public Library’s capacity to serve all of its citizens.

The new branch will be approximately 15,000 square feet in size (the downtown library is 40,000 square feet) and will provide the same level of service currently enjoyed downtown.

Libraries and life

Public libraries are:

• essential to the economic, social and cultural health of cities
• wonderful, fun, energetic places that encourage social interaction and engagement in the community
• gateways to knowledge and life-long learning
• meeting places to enlighten, educate and entertain
• community partners – hosting jazz concerts, author events, public receptions and more
• resources for business
• providers of valued programming and services for all ages

Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to share in the benefits of a library.

We need your support

The Barrie Public Library is committed to raising $1 million through a capital campaign, with the remainder funded by the City of Barrie. Once open, the City will take responsibility for the daily operating costs of the Library.

WAYS TO HELP

Barrie Public Library is a registered charitable organization. All donations to the Branching Out Capital Campaign will receive the appropriate recognition and a receipt for income tax purposes. Learn more about the many ways you can make a donation.