Tag Archives: library

50 years! Modernist Central RPL: Wednesday, Dec 5th@ 7:30: an architectural walking tour

Posted on November 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

Wednesday December 5, 2012, 7:30 p.m. – Central Library

Friends of the Regina Public Library would like to celebrate the official opening day, 50 years ago, of the Izumi-designed modernist Central Library by inviting the public to join us in a walking tour of Central Library. People are invited to talk about a specific part of the architecture of Central Library that touches them, a special place within the library that they love, or a library service that they could not live without. We welcome contributions from the audience.

RPL Central opening 1962 - program cover

RPL Central opening 1962 – program cover

See the original stylishly cool programme (with details on space for future expansion) for inspiration!! RPL50thAnniversary -original opening program in 1962   Also note the star-studded list of presenters at the event.

For a poster to publicize the event click here Celebrate 50 yrs Central Library – poster Nov 25

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RPL Board today at Regent Place Branch

Posted on September 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

The RPL Board meeting is at Regent Place Branch today Sept 25 at 4:30 in the Regina Market Mall at 331 Albert Street.

FRPL will be giving a presentation concerning obtaining information about the Central Library upgrading design process.

Come out and see the newly opened Branch.

FRPL to RPL Board – Sept 19, 2012 letter – final

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No Plan, No P3 for Library

Posted on June 27, 2012 | 2 comments

NEWS RELEASE: Wednesday June 27, 2012

“No Plan, No P3 for Library”

REGINA — The Friends of the Regina Public Library were astonished Tuesday afternoon to hear that the Regina Public Library now has no plan for the rejuvenation of Central Library.

The Regina Public Library Board disclosed it had spent about $400,000 on feasibility and design studies, which became largely useless when the Masons declined to sell their neighbouring building. The work apparently provided no alternative plans, according to the Library Board Chair.

While the Friends would like to retain the existing Central Library building for heritage and environmental reasons, the need for some major renovations is pressing. There is a need for new elevators, a new heating system, a functioning accessibility ramp and many other upgrades.

“We find it troubling that is no alternate plan. These problems have been documented for many years,” said Jim Holmes, member of the Friends of the RPL.

The Library did commit to release the report detailing the reasons why the Board feels that the Central Library needs to double in size.

The Friends were happy to hear the Library Board has abandoned a public-private partnership (P3) for the Central Library. Chairperson Darlene Hincks Joehnck claimed the Friends would never understand P3’s but evidently she understands them well enough to know it is not a good idea for the Regina Public Library.

Without a plan, the Board does not foresee any public consultations over the summer.

“We are pleased that the Library Board has informed us that it will not be pressing for quick decisions and holding hasty consultations during the summer, a time when it is difficult for the public to participate,” said Joanne Havelock, Chair of the Friends. The Friends are hoping this means there will be no decisions made on Central Library until after the October Civic Elections.

The news was revealed at an RPL Board meeting held on Tuesday, June 26 after repeated requests from the Friends for information about planning for Central Library.

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Don Kerr presentation June 13, 7pm

Posted on May 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Please join us for an evening with Saskatchewan Poet Laureate, Don Kerr

Doors open at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at The Artesian 2627 13th Avenue, Regina. Everyone is welcome to this public meeting sponsored by Friends of the Regina Public Library. Donations gratefully accepted.

Don Kerr is a strong advocate of public libraries and heritage conservation. He is the author of A Book in Every Hand, which celebrates the history of public libraries and chronicles the struggles and triumphs of this world-class, made-in-Saskatchewan achievement. Don taught English at the University of Saskatchewan for forty years. He has written short stories, non-fiction, poetry and produced five plays. Don Kerr has worked for architectural preservation and has served on many organizations dedicated to culture and the arts.

The evening will include an update on the Library Board’s proposed redevelopment of Central Library and a public discussion of this plan.

For more information call 535-9570

Poster FRPL_Jun13_mini_poster

 

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FRPL continues to question Library Board

Posted on May 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

 On Tuesday, May 22nd, The Friends of the Regina Public Library (FRPL) will once again ask the Library Board for more information about the plans for Central Library, and is challenging the Board’s assertion that it has held extensive public consultation.

“We are aware that there have been private discussions with organizations and with City Council members about Central Library, but these have not been shared with the public,” said Joanne Havelock, chair of the Friends of the Public Library. “What does the Library Board consider public consultations to be?”

FRPL is also recommending changes to the Library Board’s meeting process. In recent years, the public meeting has become brief, with the majority of the Board’s discussion held after the public meeting is adjourned. “Accepted practice is that human resources and contract negotiations are reviewed in camera, but other business topics could be discussed in the public meeting,” said Ms. Havelock.  “This would make library governance more democratic, giving the public the opportunity to know what decisions are being made and why.”

The Friends is also requesting that the Board’s meeting agenda be posted in advance on the RPL’s website, and that minutes be posted in a timely manner.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 22 at 4:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Boardroom of the Regina Public Library. It is open to the public.

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Central Branch – what’s next? May 3 meeting.

Posted on May 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

Plans are moving ahead on this project.  FRPL is holding a meeting to discuss recent developments about Central Branch and determine next steps.

Thursday May 3, 2012, 7 pm.

Fellowship Hall, lower level, Westminster United Church, 3025 13th Avenue. Wheelchair access via elevator at northeast corner of the building.

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City’s P3 Policy

Posted on April 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

On March 21, 2012 FRPL made a presentation  to the City’s Executive Committee and then to City Council on March 26 expressing concerns about a new procurement policy for public-private partnerships.

The City’s Policy cr12-30 – City’s P3 purchasing policy

FRPL letter de12-27 – FRPL – purchasing policy

CUPE Saskatchewan Division presentation de12-26 CUPE presentation – purchasing policy

CUPE locals 7 & 21 presentation cupe7-21-brief – purchasing policy

City decisions cc0326-public-decisions – March 26, 2012

LeaderPost article “P3 funding alternative approved” http://www.leaderpost.com/news/funding+alternative+approved/6370168/story.html

Prairie Dog article “P3 or not P3?” http://www.prairiedogmag.com/archive/?id=1185

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April 24 RPL Board meeting

Posted on April 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

We will be back at RPL Board on April 24 at 4:30 pm to try again for answers to our concerns about the planning process around Central Branch upgrades.

Please attend and show your interest in this important issue.

The meeting starts promptly at 4:30, so please try to arrive a bit earlier for seating.

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Response at March 27 meeting

Posted on April 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

On March 27 FRPL made a presentation to the Library Board, asking for more information about the Central Branch project. We had hoped for a dialogue or sharing of information. But our concerns were referred to the Library Administration for a response.

Letters submitted

The following are articles and letters to the editor concerning the March 27 meeting.

We asked for information the following:

  • detailed reasons for needing an upgrade to Central Branch;
  • a cost analysis of the upgrades needed to Central Branch;
  • the space needs for current and future essential library services;
  • the range of funding possibilities (in addition to public private partnerships);
  • the application process leading to the choice of a developer;
  • more details about the proposal submitted to the P3 Canada fund;
  • public discussion about the heritage value of the Masonic Temple and the Central Library Building, and
  • the design options that have been considered for adaptive reuse of these heritage buildings

A letter from the Library Director dated April 17, 2012 arrived after FRPL had met the formal deadline for making a submission to the April 24 meeting. Jeff_Barber_Letter_-_April_17,_2012

 

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