The Barrie Public Library is plotting its next chapter by inviting the community to give
feedback for the new proposed branch in the city’s northwest Letitia Heights area.
Residents are being encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions by completing a
survey. The survey asks residents to share how they currently use library services and
asks them to rank the services, programs, and collections they would like to see
featured in the new branch.
Barrie Public Library CEO Lauren Jessop said she and other library officials are looking
forward to hearing from residents.
“We’re very excited to start planning for a new location,” she said.
“When planning a new facility, it is very important to hear from residents. While many of
the services we offer across locations are similar, we can curate collections and plan for
programs, etc. that are unique to this community.”
She noted that she’s encouraged by the strong response from residents so far.
“After only a couple of days, we already have over 400 responses. We haven’t analyzed
the data yet, but residents seem to be excited about the prospect of a new location in
their neighbourhood.”
The library has partnered with Botree Inc., an Oro-Medonte based organization that is
helping to prepare, distribute, and analyze the survey, while also supporting the
facilitation of group discussions with residents.
Jessop said she is especially hopeful to hear more from the city’s youth.
“While we want to hear from everyone, with over 5,000 youth in ward 5 alone, we are
really hoping to hear from youth voices,” she said.
“We have engaged with local schools, through principals and school librarians, and we
are planning to put information about the survey in daycares, doctor’s offices, places
like that.”
In late 2024, Barrie city council tasked the library with creating a business case for the
northwest branch. In early 2025, council approved funding for planning, including
design, community input, and a demographic study for 26,000 residents.
The library is collaborating with the city’s facilities department to secure a location and
handle engineering and design. The branch will offer literacy support, programs, Wi-Fi,
computers, and community space, modelled after the Holly boutique library in Barrie’s
southwest end.
Residents have until June 16, 2025, to share feedback and win prizes. The online
survey can be found at barrielibrary.ca or paper copies at any library location.
