Gabriola Library expansion budget $336,000
According to Joy Adams Bauer, Communications Officer with the Vancouver Island Regional Library system, the Gabriola Library expansion is coming in on budget and on time with an official opening slated for late summer.
“We anticipate the branch will be open to the public in mid to late July,” she said.
“Anticipate construction to be complete by the end of June.”
The VIRL budget for the expansion was established at $235,000 with a further $101,500 for furniture and equipment.
Asked if there has been any discussion on working with local artists and craftsmen on the library project, Joy said there hasn’t been a decision made yet.
“A decision will be made soon. In the meantime, I am sure customers will be happy to hear that the tapestry from the old library has been cleaned and will be hung in the new library.”
She added that for the construction phase of the library, the landlord is working with local trades and “the general contractor doing the framing is from Gabriola Island, as is the plumber. I understand every opportunity is being given to local tradespeople through a competitive process.”
So far the biggest noticeable change to the exterior of the building has been the addition of three drop boxes.
Joy said having three drop boxes is typical – two for books and one for DVDs.
“A lot of material is returned, especially on the weekend. Drop boxes serve as a pre-sorting mechanism for staff and mean that materials are not piled on the floor, but in the drop bins, which makes it easier for staff to process the materials.
“It also means staff are taking items out of the drop boxes and not bending down and picking up lots of books from the floor.”