Campaign News

Thank you Dr. Art Wheeler
July 16, 2010

Dr. Art Wheeler, Orthodontist, makes a donation to the Branching Out campaign from his business, Arthur Wheeler Dentistry Professional Corporation. Our thanks to Dr. Wheeler for this Carnegie level gift.

Tim Johnston Branching Out Campaign Chair, presented a thank you plaque to Dr. Wheeler for this Carnegie gift.

Carnegie Level donation
June 2010

As a token of commitment to their community Chris, Stephanie and Olsen Adams contributed $20,000 towards the building of the South end  Library Branch. 

Councillor Jeff Lehman, Tim Johnston, Al Davis and Christopher Vanderkruys of the Barrie Public Library Capital Campaign met with them at the Barrie condo Team office to present the Adams’ with an acknowledgement plaque for their “Carnegie Level” donation.

Graham Partners LLP move us along
May 19,2010

Staff of Graham Partners LLP, here in Barrie, made a generous donation to the Branching Out campaign.  Marshall Green, Partner, and Paula Cooke of Graham Partners LLP were on hand to make this donation presentation, along with Paula’s children – Hannah, Emily and Mathew.  The Cooke family live near the site of the first branch library and are eagerly awaiting the chance to use the Painswick Branch Library.

From Left to Right: Marshall Green; Paula Cooke; Hannah; Tim Johnston, Branching Out Campaign Chair; Mathew; Emily

Our thanks to everyone at Graham Partners LLP for this Carnegie level gift.

Brian Broley honours his parents with a gift to the Library
May 16, 2010

Brian Broley, of Barrie Ball Hockey, has chosen to honour his parents - Margaret Flora & H. Franklin Broley - with a donation to the Branching Out campaign. Thank you for your support Brian!

Dr. Andrea Ryan, Branching Out Campaign Team , presented a plaque to thank Brian and Mr. Franklin Broley, for this Cornerstone gift.

Thank you TD Canada Trust
April 14, 2010

Suzanne Philbin, Manager of the TD Canada Trust branch at Big Bay Point & Yonge, made a generous donation on behalf of TD Canada Trust to the Branching Out campaign.  Our thanks for this Cornerstone gift that moves us up to completing 90% our million dollar goal.

Tim Johnston Branching Out Campaign Chair, presented a token of thanks to TD Canada Trust for this Cornerstone gift.

Our thanks to Scotiabank
April 6, 2010

Staff of the Scotiabank Centre, Collier Street, made a generous donation on behalf of Scotibank to the Branching Out campaign to build the first Branch Library in South Barrie. Our thanks to everyone at Scotiabank for this community support that moves us further towards our million dollar goal. Tim Johnston Branching Out Campaign Chair, presented a token of thanks to Scotiabank for this Cornerstone gift.

Left to Right: Graydon Oldfield - ScoitaMcLeod Branch Manager, Daniela Gatti - Director - Scotia Private Client Group, Tim Johnston - campaign chair,  Tim Schlitt - Commercial Banking -Client Relationship Manager and Tom Robinson - Community Manager.

Ground-breaking event!
March 30, 2010

With beautiful sunshine making the proceedings bright, this morning saw the official sod turning for the first Branch Library in Barrie.  The Acting Mayor, Councillors, Library Trustees and Branching Out campaign team members all helped put the shovel in the ground ahead of earth moving machines starting the heavy work. The site on Dean Avenue is now a hive of activity!

If you would like to make your own contribution to the Branching Out campaign fund please make your donation now.

Getting closer!
January 31, 2010

The bookpile is growing as the Branching Out campaign reaches 80% of goal. Join the community members who are making it happen by attending an event or making your donation now.

Kempenfelt Bay School Dresses Down to Raise Funds
December 18, 2009

Students of Kempenfelt Bay School joined forces on a dress down toonie Tuesday recently and raised funds for three different local charities.  Along with “Christmas Cheer” and “Starlighters” the Branching Out campaign received a cheque to help build the south branch library.  A huge thank you from all of us to all these enterprising students!

Aileen Reyes-Picknell and Cesia Green, of the Branching Out Campaign Team with Natasha (Gr. 8 student) and Susan Davidson ( Associate Head of School) of Kempenfelt Bay School

Thanks to Huronia Oral Surgery Group
December 10, 2009

Dr. Bruce MacNicol, Dr. Andrew Gater and Dr. Michael Jackson of the Huronia Oral Surgery Group make their donations to the Branching Out campaign to build the first Branch Library in South Barrie. Our thanks to these great guys for community support that moves us up to completing 75% of our million dollar goal. Tim Johnston Branching Out Campaign Chair, and Andrea Peacock Ryan Branching Out Campaign Team, presented a token of thanks for this Cornerstone gift to the Huronia Oral Surgery Group.

Dr. Gater, Dr. MacNicol, Tim Johnston Branching Out Campaign Chair, Andrea Peacock Ryan Branching Out Campaign Team, Dr. Jackson

Architect’s Open House
November 12, 2009

The preliminary design concepts were unvailed! Everyone was invited to join us at this Open House to view the plans for the south-end Branch Library.

Every Toonie Counts
August 13, 2009

Laurel has contributed her own money to help build the South End Branch by filling one of our Marvin Toonie Cards with toonies.  Thank You Laurel!

If you are interested in helping, come by the library and get your own toonie card.

Laurel had fun while helping the library's new south-end branch.

Moving forward! 
July 23, 2009

Passers-by on Dean Avenue can now easily see the site of the first branch library in Barrie.  City Hall installed this great sign today so now everyone can see where the library will be built.  Our thanks to everyone for such great identification of this exciting project site!

Architect chosen to design new library branch in Barrie...
- Residents being asked to shape Painswick public space -
June 30, 2009

Barrie Public Library is a step closer toward the creation of a new library branch in Barrie’s south end, with the naming of ZAS Architects as the architecture firm for the project.

Barrie City Council recently approved the recommendation that ZAS Architects be contracted to design the new branch building, which will be located near the corner of Big Bay Point Rd. and Yonge St. in Barrie’s south end. The appointment moves the long-anticipated project into the design phase, with an anticipated completion date of Spring 2011.

“We are excited to be working with ZAS Architects as we move into the next phase of development for the community’s new library branch,” said Catherine Virgo, chair of the Barrie Public Library board of trustees. “We are thrilled to establish our first branch library in an under-serviced area, where it has the potential to serve as a true community hub.”

Construction of the Painswick Town Centre Branch is a direct response to the rapid growth of Barrie and the resulting increase in demands that have been placed on library services. The move marks a shift from a single-location library in the city to a branch library system.

“This project points to a bright future for library users in Barrie. ZAS Architects is absolutely delighted to be working with Barrie Public Library and the City of Barrie on the design of the new Painswick Branch,” said Paul Stevens, principal architect with ZAS. “We believe that libraries are one of the key building blocks of creating vibrant, sustainable communities.”

ZAS Architects has been responsible for numerous high-profile public projects across the country and around the world, including several libraries. The firm was recently acknowledged by the Ontario Library Association for its work on the St. James Town Public Library in Toronto.

“We are confident that by working with ZAS and consulting with local residents, we will create a modern, welcoming library space that will make our library services accessible to more Barrie residents than ever before,” said Virgo.

With the architect named, public meetings are now being arranged to seek input from residents in the area as concepts for the new library branch take shape.  An Open House is scheduled on Thursday, July 23rd from 7pm – 9pm at the South Shore Community Centre, 205 Lakeshore Drive, to introduce the architectural firm heading up project and acquire preliminary feedback from the public to move forward with the architectural concept and design stage of the project.

Barrie Public Library … enriching the economic, social and cultural vitality of our community by opening doors to lifelong learning.  Branching Out for our community!

For more information about the new Barrie Public Library Branch or the upcoming public meetings, please contact the Library’s Development Office at 728-1010 ext. 7040 (Ann) or ext. 7137 (Chris).

THE EXCITEMENT IS STARTING...
June 19, 2009
Some local business owners are so excited about the Branch Library coming to their corner of town that they’re really helping to spread the word.  If you want to get onboard and help build the excitement – and the Branch Library – please contact us.

THANKS TO BNI ONTARIO CENTRAL NORTH...
June 10, 2009

Again Business Network International (BNI) has contributed to our “Branching Out” campaign with proceeds from their first awards gala that was held at Tangle Creek recently. They donated another $975.00 which brings their cumulative giving over $3,000.00 in the last year. BNI continues to support the library campaign by raising funds through the Dragon Boat Festival, various BNI events and partnering when they are opening new local chapters. There are 7 BNI chapters currently in Barrie and plans for another. BNI is a professional marketing organization specializing in word-of-mouth referrals and if you would like to find out more about BNI or to join go to www.bni-ocn.com.

Christopher Vanderkruys Development Officer Barrie Public Library
Deborah Foster-Stahle Executive Director BNI Ontario Central North
Shonna Froebel Manager Information Services Barrie Public Library

BARRIE PUBLIC LIBRARY LAUNCHES NEW CAPITAL CAMPAIGN ~ South End Branch to open in 2011...
April 23, 2009

The Barrie Public Library started a new chapter today with the launch of the community appeal for its “Branching Out” capital campaign to build a branch library in south Barrie.

Today’s announcement marks a shift from a single-location library in the city to a branch library system, making library services more accessible to citizens in all areas of the community. This move is a direct response to the rapid growth of Barrie and the resulting increase in demands that have been placed on library services.

“Barrie Public Library has the most visits per hour in the country and the highest circulation of books per patron,” said Tim Johnston, Campaign Chair for the capital campaign. “Our library is well-used and well-loved. And we’re confident that Barrie residents will help us make library services more accessible to everyone in our city by participating in our $1 million ‘Branching Out’ capital campaign.”

In anticipation of a new branch being built, funds have been raised over the past five years – most notably through the Barrie Public Library’s annual Dragon Boat Festival.  In addition, several leadership gifts for this campaign have recently been received: a Keystone gift from the Massie Family and the Georgian International Group of Companies; Cornerstone gifts from the Peacock Family and from Chris & Stephanie Adams; and a Carnegie gift from Jones Consulting Group Ltd.  To date, $672,511 has been raised in support of this effort.

“Now, we are turning to the citizens of Barrie to help us achieve our $1 million goal by the end of the year in order to ensure the same high level of service is available throughout the Barrie Public Library system in coming years,” Johnston added.

As part of this public appeal, a team of campaign volunteers will be canvassing throughout the community for financial support. As well, there will be a number of fundraising events throughout the city over the course of the next eight months. A dedicated website (www.branchingoutbpl.ca) has been established to provide information and updates on the campaign and the many fundraising events that will be hosted in support of the new branch.  Full information on making your donation is available on that website.

The new library branch is scheduled to be built in the southeast corner of Barrie, near the intersection of Yonge Street and Big Bay Point Road, with an estimated completion date of Spring 2011.

“This is a joint venture with the City of Barrie. The City will build the 15,000 square-foot branch library on the City’s Painswick Town Centre site, central to one of the most rapid growth areas in Barrie,” said Al Davis, Chief Executive Officer & Director of Library Services. “The branch will enable the Barrie Public Library Board to meet its mandate in providing library services and information to all Barrie citizens.”

Since its construction in 1996, patronage at the current Library building in downtown Barrie has grown at an incredible pace. Barrie has the highest percentage of its population using its library of any library in Canada. Barrie Public Library has the most patrons per staff of any Canadian library and hosts the most activities per hour. Barrie is the only Canadian city with a population over 100,000 that has a single library location.

“The Barrie Public Library Board is proud and excited that our city has grown to such a degree that we need to establish a multi-branched library system to meet the needs of our thriving community,” said Catherine Virgo, Chair of Barrie Public Library Board. “Libraries are great levelers. At a time when our society appears to be in danger of digitizing itself to distraction, and twittering itself into triviality, each of us has an equal opportunity to access all the past and present knowledge needed to succeed, either in person or on line, through the help of our public library, and to do it all with that most “low tech” of change agents, a free library card.”

Barrie Public Library … enriching the economic, social and cultural vitality of our community by opening doors to lifelong learning.

ARCHITECT BEING CHOSEN...
April 2009

Library staff and City staff are involved in the process of selecting an architect to design the new south-end branch.

Check out our Events and Fundraising page for details on what's happening in our community to help raise funds for the Branching Out for Our Community campaign. You can also view information about the great events that have already taken place on our Past Events page.