The libraries of the Greater Victoria Library System are more popular than ever, but many of its facilities are not adequate to serve current and future needs. Demographic analysis, extensive research on trends and best practices, a detailed facilities assessment and more than 40 consultations confirmed the status quo is neither realistic nor cost-effective.
The Greater Victoria Public Library receives operational and capital funding from 11 municipalities in Greater Victoria, and is governed by a Board that is made up municipal elected officials and residents appointed by their municipality. These funding and governance systems presented a challenge to achieving a consensus. At the conclusions of the project, however, the Facilities Plan was adopted unanimously by the Library Board.
The award-winning “Making Space for the Future” – The Greater Victoria Public Library Facilities Plan is presented in three volumes:
- A Context Report that provides a March 2009 baseline – changing municipal and regional demographics, governance and funding, services provided, a short commentary on system-wide and branch library facilities, and, finally, trends and best practices in libraries in Canada, the US, and elsewhere.
- A detailed Needs Assessment of all system-wide services and 10 branches. In 2009, the average age of the Library system facilities was over 19 years. This involved a thorough assessment of the facilities by an architectural team of building conditions, locational issues, space configurations, and interior qualities. Primary, secondary and minor deficiencies were carefully documented. Additionally, consultations were undertaken with staff and library users.
- The Plan. Following a Floorspace Gap Analysis, the Plan moves to a policy framework of a commitment statement, principles and key elements. This is followed by a proposed time frame and estimated costs, prepared by a quantity surveyor. The Greater Victoria Public Library Facilities Plan takes a proactive approach to “making space for the future” by way of a District Library model, with a capital cost of $60 million over 15 years. Six priority projects were identified. As of mid-2013, one project is complete, one is in the final stages of tenant improvements, and a third is being studied.
The Plan, coordinated by CitySpaces Consulting, and involving an architectural firm, cost consultant, and consulting librarian, received a Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC) Award of Excellence in 2010.
PROJECT TEAM:
Linda Allen Brenda McBain Shelley Gadsden Palmer