Planning is underway for a new library in the northwest part of Barrie.
A critical component is receiving community feedback. The Barrie Public Library asks community members to share their ideas and feedback by completing a short survey. The survey is also available at barrielibrary.ca. There are paper copies of the survey available at all library locations. The deadline to submit is June 16, 2025
Survey participants will be entered to win one of two exciting prizes: a pair of Apple AirPods (ages 13–18) and an Apple iPad Mini (ages 19+).
"We are really excited to hear from the community to help guide our planning process," said Lauren Jessop, CEO of the Barrie Public Library, in a news release on Friday. "Every community is unique, so this will help us determine what programs, services and spaces are most needed by residents in the area."
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In December 2024, Barrie City Council requested that the library develop a business case for a community library in the northwest part of the city. In January, council approved $75,000 to the library to help fund the design, layout, community consultation and demographic analysis for a new facility in the Leititia Heights area.
The 2017 Master Facilities Plan recommended a six-branch library system.
Currently, there is the main downtown branch, the Painswick location in the area of Yonge and Big Bay Point Road, and the Holly Community Branch on Essa Road at Mapleton Avenue, which opened in August 2022. The Holly branch cost $1.1 million to open, including shelves and books. The facility is 4,2000 square feet.
Library officials said there are 26,000 residents in the Letitia Heights area, including 5,000 youth, as well as 12 public and private schools. They noted there are fewer library members in this area likely due to poor proximity to other library locations.
"The Barrie Public Library board is thrilled to start this expansion into the northwest area of the city," Austin Mitchell, Chair of the BPL board, stated in a news release earlier this year.
The library estimates the annual operating cost of a northwest branch to be $957,000, $650,000 for furniture, shelving and equipment, and $240,000 for opening day collection.
"These estimates are based on one-time expenses to open our Holly location as well as annual operating costs," library officials have stated. "These figures do not include any potential leasehold improvements."
The new branch would provide literacy support, programming for all ages, computers, Wi-Fi, and community space for work and study.
Officials are considering a smaller library, similar to the Holly library.
