The Kitchener Public Library is the

public library A public library is a library that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil service, civil servants. There are ...

system for the city of

Kitchener, Ontario ) , image_flag = Flag of Kitchener, Ontario.svg , image_seal = Seal of Kitchener, Canada.svg , image_shield=Coat of arms of Kitchener, Canada.svg , image_blank_emblem = Logo of Kitchener, Ontario.svg , blank_emblem_type = ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

. It consists of five libraries; a large Central Library in the downtown core, with four Community Libraries spread out to provide services for the neighbourhoods of Kitchener.

History

The main branch of the Kitchener Public Library opened at 85 Queen Street in May 1962. Its origins date back to the Mechanics Institute first established in 1854, that grew within the first year to nearly 1,000 books in German and English. The collection, maintained by membership fees and private subscriptions, was destroyed by fire in the 1860s and was replaced in 1871 by a library located on the first floor of the town hall. The Berlin Public Library was officially formed in 1884 following the passing of the Free Libraries Act two years prior. The present library replaced the Berlin Public Library which originally opened in 1884 with a collection of 2,855 volumes on the first floor of the town hall. The Berlin Public Library was moved when it became a Carnegie library, opening on January 8, 1904, which was located at Queen and

Weber Weber (, or ; German: ) is a surname of German origin, derived from the noun meaning " weaver". In some cases, following migration to English-speaking countries, it has been anglicised to the English surname 'Webber' or even 'Weaver'. Notable pe ...

. Mabel Dunham served as Chief Librarian at the new location from 1908 to 1944. The Carnegie library was demolished following the opening of the Queen Street location in 1962.

Expansion

In 2010 the main branch underwent a $40 million 25,000-square-foot expansion. Completed in 2013, the project increased floor space by 30% (from around 82,000 square feet to 107,000 square feet), and made the entire building wheelchair accessible. Designed by Levitt Goodman Architects, the building was awarded a 2015 Library Architectural and Design Transformation award by the

Ontario Library Association The Ontario Library Association (OLA) was established in 1900 and is the oldest continually operating library association in Canada. With 5,000 members, OLA is also the largest library association in Canada and among the 10 largest library associ ...

. In 2015 the Kitchener Public Library became the first library in Canada to lend out internet

Hotspots Hotspot, Hot Spot or Hot spot may refer to: Places * Hot Spot, Kentucky, a community in the United States Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional entities * Hot Spot (comics), a name for the DC Comics character Isaiah Crockett * Hot Spot (Tra ...

.Thompson, Catherine. "KPL Is First Library in Canada to Lend out Internet Hot Spot Devices." Waterloo Regional Record, 8 Oct. 2015.

Services

* Information and reference services * Access to full text databases * Community information * Internet and computer access *

Virtual reality Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that employs pose tracking and 3D near-eye displays to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world. Applications of virtual reality include entertainment (particularly video games), educ ...

booth at the Central location * Free wifi at all locations * Free wifi hotspots available to borrow * Reader's advisory services * Programs for children, youth and adults * Live music performances * Delivery to homebound individuals * Interlibrary loan * Free downloadable e-books * Free downloadable audiobooks * Free downloadable music * Free livestream movies and TV programs * Art gallery featuring local artists at the Central location * Musical instrument lending program

Branches

The Kitchener Public Library system consists of a Central Library in the downtown core, and four Community Library locations throughout the City. The Central Library was completely renovated and expanded in 2014.

References

External links