BY KIRK STARRATT

Kings County Register

The Friends of the Kentville Public Library Society has its sights set firmly on developing a new, bright, modern library facility.

However, the support of local municipalities is needed to see the vision through.

Society chairwoman Frances Schagen, who made a presentation to Kings County council’s committee of the whole (COTW) at the February session, said the group has completed its business case, with the help of the Kings Community Economic Development Agency and other in-kind support, and have held successful fundraising initiatives. Architect Brian MacKay-Lyons of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects Limited, is looking to participate in projects such as this.

“We have one of the best architects in the world,” she said. “To work with someone who is one of the best in the world is quite empowering.”

MacKay-Lyons, along with firm partner Talbot Sweetapple, will hold community consultations before designing the facility. The firm has contracted Gerry Shoalts of Shoalts and Zaback Architects Limited, an architect who specializes in libraries, for the interior. The first public meeting is at the Nova Scotia Community College Kingstec Campus in Kentville March 25 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Schagen said the library would be the main focus of the facility, but they are considering including an art gallery, coffee and tea shop and restaurant, depending on the success of fundraising initiatives. She said modern libraries have these additional features and attractions - not to mention lots of natural light, comfortable seating and outdoor space.

The Valley Community Learning Association (VCLA) is interested in having space in the new library and the Kings Historical Society has expressed interest in a genealogy lab. There would be accessible community rooms as well.

Working budget of $2.5 million

The group has a a working budget of $2.5 million and hopes to raise half the funds in the community. Schagen said they would ask for 20 per cent of the cost of the building from the county and 20 per cent from the Town of Kentville. They would like to complete the project by 2011, in time for the town’s 125th anniversary.

Once designed, the society plans to tackle fundraising, perhaps with a paid co-ordinator. She said the professional fundraiser would help them build a plan and train others. Schagen said the society has about $20,000 at this point, but it isn’t enough to cover both the architectural work and fundraising costs.

She thanked the county for providing $10,000 last year and asked for another $10,000 to cover ongoing costs.

The current building is of no value and there are environmental concerns associated with past usage of the site. The basement, which used to be shared by the Kentville Police, is blocked off. Schagen said they have identified a couple potential sites.

‘People need libraries’

Councillor Wayne Atwater said libraries were on a slippery slope when he last served on the library board. However, Schagen pointed out there is a lot more to today’s library than just books. Use of the current Kentville library is up 20 per cent in the last year.

“We’re in the information age,” she said. “People need libraries. Librarians are trained to help people find information.”

Schagen said she has heard Kings County has a 50 per cent illiteracy rate, and that’s not acceptable.

Councillor Janet Newton said the Kentville Library is used by her constituents, county residents and the county pays money to the Valley Regional Library, but there are only two libraries in the county as well as the bookmobiles.

“I think this is a win-win for us,” she said. “We can support it, but we won’t have the ongoing cost of operating a library.”

Newton made a motion to send the society’s funding request to the county’s upcoming budget deliberation process. The motion carried.