THUNDER BAY -- "In the words of Neil Armstrong, this is one small step for County Park Library -- we used to be at the back of the mall -- but it's one giant leap for Thunder Bay Public Library," said John Pateman, the city's chief librarian in a speech before the ribbon-cutting at the new location.
To compare better exposure within County Fair Plaza to the moon landing might sound like hyperbole but the library's "living room of the community" vision is reaching for the stars.
"It's a constant battle to convince people that a library can meet their needs because there's so much competition," Pateman explained.
"There are so many things they can do with their free time. ti's a case of constantly giving the message that it's a free service -- although effectively you do pay for ti with your city taxes -- so get that return on your investment and come to the library.
"Whatever your needs are, we've got something to meet those needs."
With a glassed-in corner near the front of the mall, Pateman guaranteed increased foot traffic will result in more circulation and more computer use. Children's programming will occupy the new space and part of the mall's hallway.
"We're making a statement here to say, Thunder Bay Library as a whole is cahnging and you can expect these kinds of changes to come to a library near you soon."
It's all part of a bigger plan to reinvent libraries in the digital age, according to the Friends of the Thunder Bay Public Library, a volunteer organization that raised $60,000 for County Park Library to make the move.
"The library foudn a challenge when everybody went digital," said Sierra Trees-Turner, the organization's vice president.
"Your competition, that's not necessarily bookstores. TI's the other entertainments that are taking people's attention away. That's video games or movies or whatever it is, because everyone has digital access these days. The library -- in Thunder Bay, especially -- did a good job of brining itself into that digital age."
