New, innovative programming is coming to the Westmount Public Library. The City of Westmount announces a renovation project that will add a makerspace, which will act as a community workshop equipped with exciting technologies, as well as a second accessible entrance and a redesigned self-serve caf\u00e9 area to the Library. The project is concentrated in the southeast portion of the building at the park level.<\/p>\n
The Westmount Public Library is propelled by its mission to enrich the community by providing a welcoming environment in which to read, learn and discover. The new makerspace follows this mission by expanding the Library\u2019s services and creating new opportunities to spark the curiosity of different clienteles. This glass-walled room will be able to accommodate groups of around fifteen people at a time for educational workshops and much more around an enhanced STEAM programming and audio-visual creation.<\/p>\n
A more accessible teen section will be relocated between the new entrance and the makerspace, just steps from where it is found today. The Library will be more attractive than ever to this clientele with much to gain from dedicated programming and enriched services made possible by this project. Down the hall, a new self-serve caf\u00e9 area will intersect with the existing Library spaces.<\/p>\n
Accessibility being always a priority at the Library and at the City, the addition of a second, universally accessible entrance is an important element of this project. It will give direct access to the children\u2019s department, benefiting all, and particularly families. It will also open the Library onto Westmount Park, near the children\u2019s playground, creating opportunities for outdoor activities and inviting a larger public to discover our Library’s rich programming.<\/p>\n
This renovation project coincides with the Library\u2019s 125th anniversary, which will be celebrated in 2024. It allows our Library to continue evolving alongside the community, to stay on top of the latest in technology and innovative programming for public libraries, and to set an example of greater accessibility. \u201cThe Library is a space for everyone, it’s the idea of sharing, it’s an extensive collection of resources that would not be possible in one\u2019s home… It’s a real gem in the heart of our community,\u201d shares Library Director Anne-Marie Lacombe.<\/p>\n
The planned work will have a minimal impact on both the Library’s operations and on the adjacent environment of Westmount Park. The lane behind the Library will be used as an access for trucks and a storage area for construction materials. The Library\u2019s entire collection of documents will remain accessible throughout the project, with materials from the teen section temporarily relocated to the main floor. Work is slated to begin in March 2024 for delivery during the summer of 2024.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New, innovative programming is coming to the Westmount Public Library. The City of Westmount announces a renovation project that will<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":97,"featured_media":97377,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6299],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n