Hamilton Public Library Locke Street Branch
By Craig Hermanson
22 November 2000: On September the 8th City Council approved
the donation of the former CIBC branch on Locke as the home of the
new home for our neighbourhood library branch. The transition board
for the new City of Hamilton has also now approved the transfer.
As soon as the title has been transferred an architect will be hired
to draw up plans to convert the old bank for library use.
The existing Locke Library branch opened in 1925. The small branch
has existed under almost continual threats of closure. The branches
survival is a credit to the Locke Street community who have fought
for our local branch. This new larger site means more resources
for the community and much better prospects for the library.
Alderman Marvin Caplan said: "It is unfortunate that the business
decision of the bank was to close this branch. But this generous
gift from the heart gives this fine heritage building a new lease
on life and illustrates that the CIBC both understands its larger
role within the community as a good corporate citizen and the importance
of libraries to our community."
The City plans to sell the existing Locke Library building and
will use the proceeds of the sale to cover much of the estimated
$205,000 renovation costs of the new building. Planned renovations
to the bank branch include:
- wheelchair accessibility,
- family washrooms, and
- a separate staff area.
The small size of the current branch means that office functions
occupy a sizable amount of the floor space and programme use often
prevents others from using the library. According to Bill Guise,
Business Administrator for the Hamilton Public Library, a wish list
will include separate space for these functions. A usable basement
and possible use of the current ABM room makes a great deal of main
floor space available for general public use.
In addition, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated
over $240,000 of hardware and software to the ten branches of the
Hamilton Public Library. With the additional space, the Locke Library
branch will be able to accommodate some of this gift.
The original timeline called for the Design/Tender process to be
completed by September 2000 with Branch opening on January 1, 2001.
However, with the approval process behind us, Bill Guise is still
hopeful for spring opening.
All this is good news for the Locke Street community and we look
forward to a new and better library branch in a wonderful and historic
building.
For more information, please visit: http://www.hpl.hamilton.on.ca
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