The Barrie Public Library is considering the northwest community of Letitia Heights as a
potential location for a new library branch. Lauren Jessop, CEO of the Barrie Public Library, said Letitia Heights is ideal for a new branch due to its limited access to existing
library locations.
“With 26,000 people living here, including 5000 children and youth, convenient access to a library location is needed,” Jessop said.
In 2017, Letitia Heights was first identified as a potential site for a library branch in the
City of Barrie Master Facilities Plan, alongside proposed branches in the Holly, Salem,
and Hewitt areas. On Aug. 5, 2022, the Holly branch opened its doors, located in the
southwest pocket of Barrie.
On Jan. 15, the Barrie Public Library presented a proposal to city council for the proposed branch. Officials requested $75,000 to fund a design, layout, and project analysis. Prior to the council meeting, the proposed Letitia Heights branch was raised during the 2024 third and fourth quarter internal audit update.
Jessop said the Letitia Heights branch would likely follow the 4,500-square-foot “boutique” model of the Holly branch. She said she looks forward to the council’s response and next steps.
“Once council has provided direction, we will work with city corporate facilities to secure
a location, and we will work with them to explore all options within this neighbourhood,”
Jessop said.
Melissa Andrews, a Letitia Heights resident, frequently visits the downtown library with
her young children. She said a library closer to home would be a welcome addition to
the community.
“A nearby library would be great,” Andrews said. “I take my kids to the downtown library
so they can borrow books and do different activities. Having a library close by in the
community sounds nice.”
The precise location for a Letitia Heights branch library has yet to be determined. In
addition to the downtown library and the Holly branch, the Painswick branch, situated in
the southeast corner of Barrie, opened in 2012.
