Windsor Public Library Central Branch will temporarily move to City Hall Square, officials confirm

The City of Windsor has confirmed a new temporary location for the Windsor Public Library's Central Branch.

Windsor Public Library Central Branch will temporarily move to City Hall Square, officials confirm A permanent branch is still in the works The City of Windsor has confirmed a new temporary location for the Windsor Public Library's Central Branch. It's at 400 City Hall Square at city hall. "This move is intended to provide a more stable, secure and predictable interim operating environment while we continue the important work of identifying a permanent home for Central Branch," library CEO Jen Knights said in an email to staff that was obtained by CBC.

The process of establishing a new central library branch was launched by the Windsor Public Library board 10 years ago with the goal of having the new space completed by 2026. The WPS's Central Branch has been temporarily located in the Paul Martin Building since early 2020. But, last year Mayor Drew Dilkens told reporters that the developer, RM Holdings, is turning the building into a boutique hotel and would need the library to move out as soon as possible.

Since then, the branch has been operating alongside the renovations. Uncertainty Dilkens suggested in April that the branch could eventually be housed in the vacant Ontario tourism office as part of a community hub that connects to the ice rink in front of city hall. Knights said in the email that the new interim space would require a reorganization of the library's resources.

"The new space at 400 City Hall Square is smaller than the current location and will require a different service model, including changes to layout, collection size, programming, and staffing patterns," she said. "A great space" Member of the library board and downtown Ward 3 Coun. Renaldo Agostino said he is optimistic about the move.

"It's a really good fit, a really nice space, and it makes things better for everyone," Agostino told CBC News. "We hope to be out and into this building hopefully by September." The Central Branch's lease with the owners of the Paul Martin Building was meant to last until 2028.

"The owners of the Paul Martin building were very hospitable with us," Agostino said. "There's no penalties." By moving into the new building Agostino said the WPS can save money on expenditures like security.

"This is a state-of-the-art building here — all the amenities, all the bathrooms and all the security," he said. He added, "Building a brand new downtown Central Library — that's the goal here." With files from Justin Escoto and Michael Evans