By Jamie Moorhouse
The main branch of the Ottawa Public Library is trying to make itself more efficient, inviting and comfortable, while negotiations to sell the building continue.
Talks about the City of Ottawa selling the building at Metcalfe Street and Laurier Avenue to Toronto-based Cadillac Fairview Corporation, a real estate giant that already owns the tower part of the library, have been ongoing for quite some time now.
“Nothing has changed,” says Jean Martel, director of administrative services for the library. “A sale may never happen.”
A final report was to be out in late December 1998 or early January this year.
“It’s just the length of time negotiations can take,” says City Councillor Elisabeth Arnold, whose ward includes the library.
She says complex issues have to be resolved, such as who is going to maintain the building.
One proposal sees the new owner covering costs of much-needed renovations.
But, says Arnold, there is no such agreement yet and the city isn’t banking on a sale to go through for that reason.
Barbara Clubb, chief librarian, says the money for renovations will have to come from library reserves.
This past week, an architecture firm from Toronto was to meet with library staff to discuss a space and design study for the library, looking at how to create more space for books and computers.
Books are crammed onto shelves, and computers are increasingly in demand.
“For a main, central library, it’s almost lacking,” says Lynn Alberta, a University of Ottawa student who occasionally uses the library to research. “I’m hesitant to come here. Will they have what I need?” She adds the branch needs more space, as well as a better layout.
“A list somewhere that says what is on what floor would be nice,” says Lauren Hutchinson, a Grade 11 student at Lisgar Collegiate Institute.
However, Hutchinson says people who come to the main library can find a good selection of books.
Arline Davidson, 76, agrees. “I think this is perfect. There’s a larger selection,” she says.
Still, Aline Bethune, 54, says it’s hard to get newer books.
“I always find something to read, but it’s a challenge to figure out if I’ve read a book or not,” she says.
Monique Desormeaux, the library’s manager of service planning and communications, says the library would also like to make the checkout desk more accessible.
Right now, she says anyone in a wheelchair or with a baby carriage cannot get to the desk — it is surrounded by staircases.
“It’s 1999,” says Eric Roussin, a university student. “That definitely should be done.”
Douglas Courier, who was pushing his eighteen-month-old daughter through the aisles in a stroller last week, says he would like to see markings, like a yellow line, showing people to elevator doors.
“It’s a difficult library to access for children,” he says. Elevator doors are hidden behind bookcases.
The report is to be finished just after Christmas. With the findings, says Clubb, the library hopes to improve as a public service, to make better use of space and to be more attractive.
Right now, “We have a main branch that is not an ideal building,” Arnold adds.