RDPL - In the Spotlight

Renovations start March 4 at Red Deer Public Library’s Downtown Branch

The taxpayers dollar is once again hard at work at Red Deer Public Library.

Starting March 4th, the Library’s Downtown Branch, located at 4818-49th Street, will be getting a refreshing new look, along with some new technology and lighting thanks to grants and funding from municipal, provincial and federal sources.

Upon completion of Phase 1 (scheduled for March to mid April), Library members will notice a revitalized main floor, with bright new spaces, a new more efficient Member Services desk, new café furniture and the Downtown Branch’s first self-checkout.

“The Downtown Branch is one of the busiest buildings in Red Deer.” says Cory Stier, RDPL’s Assistant Director. “This project allows us to keep the building fresh and inviting for all Red Deerians. It also allows us to significantly improve our energy costs and reduce our carbon footprint through the installation of much more energy efficient lighting on our top floor.”

The Library will be open for business during the renovations, Stier adds. However, as the first phase of construction takes place on the main level, the north doors and the north Bookdrop will be off limits to customers who will be redirected to use the South doors and the bookdrop located there.

“That will be the main inconvenience to our customers during the first phase of construction,” said Stier. 

Also, material checkout wait times may be a bit slower due to the limited space at the temporary checkout desk, he says.

During Phase 2 (scheduled for mid April to mid June), Level 4 will be completely closed to the public.

Library Members will still have access, although limited, to everything typically available when they visit the Downtown Branch. Staff will set up a small, temporary collection of non-fiction materials on Level 2 of the Library and four public Internet stations will be relocated from Level 4 to the Link Bridge.

Members are also encouraged to access the non-fiction collection and public Internet stations at the Dawe Branch located at 56 Holt Street, Stier explains.

He notes Red Deer Public Library members can also use their RDPL Library card to check out up to 10 items at the Red Deer College Library, as well as access the computer workstations in the RDC Learning Commons. For more information about borrowing from RDC Library, please visit http://www.rdpl.org/membership/rdpl-at-rdc.

The renovations are funded by all three levels of Government: $225,000 from the Federal Community Infrastructure Improvement Grant, $100,000 from the Provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program, and matching funding from the Library’s Operating Reserve.

“We are truly appreciative of all the support we have received for this project from all levels of government: federal, provincial, and municipal” Stier adds.