KFPL launches facilities master plan process

Jeff Green | Mar 09, 2022

It has ben 17 years since the Kingston Frontenac Public Library embarked on a full scale facilities plan.

The last one, a branch services review by DMA Consulting of Mississauga, did not go so well for the integrated library, particularly in some of the rural areas.

“I was not with the library then,” said the current Chief Librarian/CEO Laura Carter, “but I heard that one of the recommendations, that the Sharbot Lake branch be expanded and the Arden, Mountain Grove and Parham branches be closed, led to a pretty vocal public meeting. We hope this one is much quieter.

The 2004 survey did pave the way for a new branch to be built in Sydenham, and the Isabel Turner branch in the City of Kingston as well. Other recommendations, such as the closing of the Hartington branch and its replacement with a new, larger, branch in Verona, did not take happen, mainly because it is the local townships who are responsible for library facilities in Frontenac County, and South Frontenac has not made a Verona library a priority.

The closing of the Ompah branch, and its subsequent replacement by an independent library service, was a direct result of that 2004 report.

“Since that report came out, most of the Frontenac County branches have been upgraded,” said Carter.

The new Facilities Master Plan is starting at the branches. A series of Open Houses are taking place over the next couple of weeks, one at each branch in the system, to talk to library patrons and non-patrons about what they would like to see in the library of the future, a future that will see dramatic changes in demographics and technology.

In the early 2000s, rural libraries brought in computers for use by library patrons, and started up online ordering of content. Now, people tend to bring their own computers to library branches to use the wifi connectivity, and in addition to online ordering, online delivery of content is common where patrons have sufficient internet access.

If, and when, rural internet reaches speeds and reliability that is more common in urban areas, the use of KFPL services in Frontenac County will change again.

The Open Houses, which are taking place in every branch in the system, start up at the Parham branch on March 15 between 4pm and 6pm. For a full list of times and locations, go to engagekfpl.ca and click on Facilities Master Plan on the left side of the page or call 613-549-888. Virtual meetings are set for March 10, March 14 and March 26, and can be accessed from the Facilities Master Plan page as well.

In addition to the branch open houses, an online survey is underway, with paper copies at branches, and the opportunity to receive a paper copy by mail. The survey, available from the KFPL.ca website or directly at surveymonkey.com/r/KFPL-FMP, asks a series of questions about how people use the library now and envision using it in the future. The survey which runs until April 7, includes the opportunity to enter a draw for a $50 gift certificate that can be redeemed at selected retailers in Kingston and Frontenac County.

“This is one of the most important community conversations KFPL will have in this decade — it is vital that we hear from all members of the community, especially those who aren't using our services,” said Laura Carter. “The community will help determine how the library offers service and what our spaces will look like now and through 2042, and will guide our strategic goals over the next few years.”

Any proposed facility upgrades or new facilities that library users want to see developed, will require more than the approval of the library board, however.

“This is a long-term plan, and some of it will not ultimately be in our hands at the library. It is up to the townships to decide to make the commitments to build new branches, for example,” she said.