The chair of the Windsor Public Library Board predicts exciting times ahead for the city's branches.
The board is currently working on a strategic plan, something it does every five years as it reworks its vision for the future, but Rino Bortolin told reporters there is already a lot on the board's plate.
The Central Branch will move into the downtown Paul Martin Building for the next few years until the city can build a permanent home. The board has approved the new Central Library Functional Plan started back in 2016. It includes costing estimates and the results of consultation with the public.
Renovations at the Budimir Branch in the west end of the city are expected to wrap up later this year, and Sandwich Towne will finally get its own library with John Muir Branch.
Bortolin said that the project is on budget, although the budget has been increased to $5.5 million.
"It was a daunting task because of the heritage project," he said. "What you're seeing is something really special. This is a property that probably would have sat vacant and probably met with a wrecking ball at some point."
The library will be converted from a historic fire hall.
Another major project on the horizon is a branch for Ward Nine, the only city ward that does not have one. There are a couple of ideas, including a library paired with a community centre, and a branch located within the new acute care hospital.
However, that idea is not especially popular.
"This one is a little bit weird," admitted Bortolin. "Realistically it will likely be more of a kiosk-type of thing where the books circulate amongst the patients."
As for the long-floated idea of locating a library branch inside Devonshire Mall, Bortolin said forget it. The idea is dead.
"The mall is reluctant to basically give any space away that's not retail," he said. "Libraries are not their business."