Proposed Library Storefront (left) – with double doors into space (Supplied: TNRL)
A new interim library could open up at the Aberdeen Mall food court in Kamloops this fall.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional Library is looking to secure a one-year lease – with an option to renew – to open a storefront library and storage unit this year.
Chief Librarian Judy Moore says they are asking for $36,096 from the TNRD at Thursday’s board meeting to help secure the lease for the proposed 352-square-foot storefront in the Food Court.
“There’s a fairly large corridor in between the proposed space and Ardenes, and then right next door to Ardenes is Fresh Street Market, so it’s right in that vicinity within the food court, Moore said.
Proposed Library Storefront – vacant shell (indicated in red) adjacent to Food Court seating (Supplied: TNRL)
Moore says if the TNRD board approves their ask, this library would serve as a stop-gap solution for delivering “much needed” library services to residents in south Kamloops.
“We are continuing to look for a site for a 25,000 square foot library, but in the meantime, we want to be better able to serve our residents here in Kamloops and so having a presence in south Kamloops is important. This is a jumping-off point for what we hope is bigger things ahead.”
Her comments come as there are already two book drops available in Aberdeen Mall, which she says are “heavily” used by the community.
“This little (storefront) library will also have a book drop, it would have to hold lockers for outside of our hours of operation as well as a vending machine,” she said.
“Inside of the space, we’re imagining that we’ll have a retail-focused library offering, so bestsellers, whether that be children’s books, adults, teens, some audio/visual cookbooks, but really popular lending materials.”
Moore says they hope to secure the lease for the storefront library for October 1, with the plan to open its doors in late Fall 2023.
In a report, Moore says the monthly costs include the $2,500 for the basic license fee, $508 for the storage unit, and an estimated $200 for Hydro for an estimated total of $38,496 for the year.
Capital start-up costs are expected to be $167,000 – including a $100,000 estimate for popular materials, $50,000 for furniture and equipment, $15,000 for technology , and $2,000 for design fees.
Proposed Library Storefront – from interior looking onto Food Court (Supplied: TNRL)
