Tag Archives: RPL

RPL consultation process media release

Posted on June 18, 2014 | Leave a comment

Regina Public Library Central Library Development Process

 Jun. 6, 2014

Regina, SK – Regina Public Library (RPL) is pleased to announce the hiring of the public engagement firm, DIALOG, for the Board’s public consultations regarding the future of the city’s downtown Central Library. In addressing the challenges facing the Library, the RPL Board and Executive are re-engaging the public to talk about their needs and aspirations for their Library system, and their Central Library, as fundamental in properly preparing for the future.

The public consultation process will begin with key stakeholder consultations followed by full public engagement taking place later in June, and throughout the summer and early fall. A launch event for the public consultations will be held June 25th at Central Library for the media and the public to ask questions and get engaged.

“It is a great privilege to work with people who have such a passion for their work and understand the challenges before them, but also embrace input from the community. That means opening up a dialogue with the people who support them and the people they serve,” said Jennifer Fix, DIALOG Spokesperson.

DIALOG is a Vancouver-based company working with partners who have developed a specialty in library system public engagement through their acclaimed efforts with Vancouver Public Library and Calgary Public Library. DIALOG will now assist RPL in plotting a course for the future.

“Engaging the staff, stakeholders and public on the future of the Central Library is incredibly important to RPL and we’re pleased to work with DIALOG on this part of the project. This is a very exciting time for the Library,” said Darryl Lucke, Chair of the RPL Board of Directors.

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For more information please contact: Rick Fink, Manager, Marketing & Communications, Regina Public Library, Phone: 306.777.6015, Cell: 306.535.8144

From http://www.reginalibrary.ca/blogs/media/blogs/press/RPL_MR_CLD_Dialog.pdf

Also posted at http://slta.ca/news-events/item/?n=305

 

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Central Library Consultation – Wed June 25, 7 pm

Posted on June 10, 2014 | Leave a comment

The RPL Board will be holding a consultation on the future of Central Library on Wednesday June 25, 2014 at 7 pm at Central Library.

This will be a VERY important meeting for members of the public to attend and express their views about the future services and building requirements for Central Library.

  • What do you want in a Central Library?
  • Does wanting to have good library services mean that the current library building  needs to be demolished?
  • Will the library be providing an option for adding onto and renovating the current building?
  • How will the changes be funded? Will there be a public-private partnership?

Please attend and express your thoughts.

Stay tuned for other components of the consultation process, which will continue until September.

 

 

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Building reuse and conservation – film June 9, 7:30 pm

Posted on June 9, 2014 | Leave a comment
Learnings from this film would be relevant to decisions to be made about the Central Library building and other library buildings.
The film is being sponsored by the Save Our Connaught group and Clean Green Regina. To “…provide citizens with new evidence to support the view that Connaught should be renovated rather than demolished.”
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Your are invited to a free viewing of The Greenest Building, a 60 minute film that promotes a better understanding of the relationship between the reuse of buildings and the conservation of natural systems that sustain life.
WHEN: MONDAY JUNE 9, 7:30 pm
WHERE: CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY CENTRE, 2900 13TH AVENUE
Admission is free. Complementary coffee and cookies will be served. A stimulating discussion will follow the viewing.

 

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Consultations to start June 25 or 26 on Central Library

Posted on June 9, 2014 | Leave a comment

At a recent RPL Board meeting it was stated that consultations on the future of Central Library building would start around June 25 or 26 and have various components over the next 3 or 4 months.

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Review to determine fate of Lorne Street branch library

Posted on May 26, 2014 | Leave a comment
By Emma Graney, The Leader-Post May 26, 2014  

But for now, Regina Public Library is just looking for an engineering review of the Lorne Street branch, the results of which will play a role in determining the building’s fate.

Jeff Barber, library director and CEO, said information on the public consultations will likely be released in the next couple of weeks.

First up, he said, the building has to be assessed. The library released a request for proposals (RFP) on Friday, asking a firm to “establish a minimum-cost baseline as (the library) reviews options to refurbish, renovate or replace the existing building.”

The contract will be awarded in July.

Despite the wording in the RFP, which certainly doesn’t rule out the possibility of a new library, Barber insisted “this isn’t about building a new building.

“We’re looking at this more of an update on the construction and status of the building,” he said.

“There has been a concern of the state of the building for quite some time.”

Barber named poor insulation and a roof and windows that need replacing as issues the branch needs to conquer.

A 2010 Regina Public Library report also listed off numerous criticisms of the central branch, from the size of the elevator to issues with the circulation desk, the ventilation and acoustics of the puppet theatre and the general layout and usage of the building.

That led to the development of grand plans for a new Cultural Centre Redevelopment Project, which would have housed a new Central Library branch, the Globe Theatre, restaurants, retail stores, a museum and a hotel. Although there were public consultations about the development, the Friends of the Library group criticized the project and accused the library board of a lack of transparency.

In the end the project was kiboshed after the Masons voted against selling their historic Masonic Temple, which is adjacent to the downtown library and was critical to the redevelopment plans.

Barber said the information from this new engineering review would “form part of the decision-making process for the board in the fall.”

egraney@leaderpost.com Twitter/LP_EmmaGraney

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post
http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Review+determine+fate+Lorne+Street+branch+library/9877247/story.html

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Regina Public Library “Friends” celebrate milestone

Posted on April 26, 2014 | Leave a comment

Friends of the Regina Public Library

April 26, 2014 6:51 pm

Regina Public Library “Friends” celebrate milestone

By Steve Silva  Global News

Video http://globalnews.ca/video/1293779/evening-news-apr-26-5

Friends of the Regina Public Library celebrate in Unitarian Centre Saturday afternoon.

Matt Myers / Global News

REGINA – Friends of the Regina Public Library celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the day the city voted to save three libraries from closure, Saturday afternoon.

“I owe these people so much because they gave me so much. Sorry, I’m getting a little choked up about that,” said a slightly emotional Vanessa Thorson, who participated in the celebrations over Skype at the Unitarian Centre.

Thorson, who now lives in Yukon, and several others, birthed the group in response to the city’s plan to close the Glen Elm, Connaught, and Prince of Wales branches in November of 2003.

“We met, probably three or four times a week,” said Thorson.

City council eventually voted to fund the libraries, keeping them open.

The funding came after multiple protests, and a petition with 26,000 signatures.

“I’m very shy, but I knew I had to do it. I just had to do it,” said Catherine Verrall, who protested with the group.

Verrall got about 2,000 of the signatures, beating anyone else involved in the cause.

“I’m quite passionate about community, and I think the library is really, it’s really the heart of the community,” she said.

The sentiment was echoed at the event by those who haven’t used libraries for as long a lifetime.

“You don’t have to go there to read, it’s kind of a nice atmosphere in that sense,” said Candis Froess, a history student at the University of Regina.

Froess hopes to get into a library studies master’s program after graduation.

She’s attended the celebration to learn more about the group’s accomplishments.

“I just think what they did was pretty impressive, and I’m happy that they did it because it might set an example for other communities,” she said.

Since the victory, the group’s mission has evolved.

“In a broad sense, it brings the awareness of the public libraries to the community and how valued they are in the community, and why we need to keep them,” said Jim Elliot, a board member of the group.

And while there is always worry for what the future may bring, the group believes it’s ready.

“The Regina Public Library Board knows there’s always somebody that’s going to be watching them, and making them accountable,” said Thorson.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1293761/regina-public-library-friends-celebrate-milestone/

 

 

 

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April 26 – Celebrate 10 years of Keeping the Library Branches Open

Posted on April 12, 2014 | Leave a comment

JOIN US FOR A CELEBRATION!

10th ANNIVERSARY OF
KEEPING LIBRARY BRANCHES OPEN

Saturday April 26, 2014, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Unitarian Centre, College Ave & Angus Street, Regina

Ten years ago, in November 2003, the Regina Public Library Board announced the closure of Glen Elm, Connaught and Prince of Wales Branches, plus the Prairie History Room and the Dunlop Art Gallery. Friends of the Regina Public Library was formed to galvanize Regina residents to keep these facilities open. On March 5, 2004 a petition of over 26,000 signatures was presented to City Council.

On April 26, 2004 City Council voted for the funding to keep these important library services open.

Join us to hear and share stories from this great achievement!
Enjoy some celebration cake!

For information: e-mail frpl@sasktel.net, website http://www.friendsofrpl.ca
Phone: (306) 352-4804, (306) 535-9570

FRPL April 26, 2014 Anniversary Poster – finalized

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A message from:
FRIENDS OF THE REGINA PUBLIC LIBRARY (FRPL)
Tel: (306) 535-9570
Web: http://friendsofrpl.ca

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Library budget at City Council Mon. Feb. 24 at 5:30 pm

Posted on February 20, 2014 | Leave a comment

The Regina Public Library budget goes before City Council on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 5:30 pm.

Friends of the Regina Public Library will be making a presentation based on this letter. FRPL to City re RPL budget 2014 – Feb 20 – final

Please attend the City Council meeting to show your support for Friends of the Regina Public Library and for our libraries.

The City Council meeting starts at 5:30. The Library budget is often one the first items discussed.

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Letter to Minister of Education re SLTA brief

Posted on February 20, 2014 | Leave a comment

Last year in the Friends of the Regina Public Library’s submission to City Council regarding the Regina Public Library’s 2013 budget we stated that as our province expands and benefits from newcomers from around the world there is an increased demand for library resources in many languages and to some extent for programs such as literacy training. In addition we commented on the importance of the services related to Aboriginal culture and Aboriginal community members and the importance of Outreach services and other services supporting the use of the library’s materials by people with disabilities.

In the fall of 2013 the Saskatchewan Library Trustees Association presented a brief to the Minister of Education and highlighted the first two of these issues. 2013 Ministers Brief – SLTA

FRPL wrote a supporting letter to the Minister of Education supporting the SLTA request for increased funding for Saskatchewan libraries and additional resources for Aboriginal literacy and English as an Additional Language services, as well as for services related to persons with disabilities. FRPL to Hon. Don Morgan Jan 20, 2014

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Library budget on-line for comment

Posted on January 12, 2014 | Leave a comment

The draft Regina Public Library Budget has been put on the City of Regina website.  It will be going to Executive Committee on Wednesday, January 15th at 11:45 am.

If you want to make a verbal presentation to Executive Committee, you just have to show up and fill in a form.  You will have 10 minutes.

The recommendation is to have it forwarded to the February 24th, 5:30 pm City Council meeting.  If you wish to make a presentation to City Council, you have to provide a written brief of your remarks to the City Clerk’s Office by Thursday, February 20th at 1 pm.  You can email your request and brief to clerks@regina.ca

To see the draft budget go to www.regina.ca/residents/council-committees/meeting-calendar-agenda and then click on the Executive Committee on January 15th and then click on the agenda item EX14-1 on the right hand side and you will either directly see the budget or it will be downloaded to your computer.

Any thoughts on the budget can be sent to FRPL or to your City Councilor if you have concerns or questions.  There is likely going to be a FRPL letter sent to City Council in February.

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