One of the top priorities for the Greater Victoria Public Library is to move the Emily Carr branch to a new location that better meets the needs of library users.
Built in 1972 at the corner of Saanich Road and Blanshard Street, the existing building is “old and outdated,” “poorly configured” and “inaccessible for wheelchair users,” according to GVPL deputy CEO Lynne Jordon.
An open house will be held Saturday (March 9) at the Emily Carr branch to discuss the possibility of relocating the library across the street to Uptown.
“We like to have our libraries co-located with other places where people are going to gather or congregate or use, and Uptown is a good place to investigate (as a possible relocation site),” Jordon said.
Benefits of moving to Uptown include a new space being more energy efficient and being more flexible to the library’s needs.
Attendees will have the opportunity to see conceptual renderings, and provide input on what services the new library should have.
The open house runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Emily Carr branch at 3500 Blanshard St.
Material from the open house and an online survey will be available at gvpl.ca from March 9 to 18.
kslavin@saanichnews.com
