Be patient with us!
November 4, 2009 at 9:30 pm 8 comments
We’ve had lots of folks trying to get into the new library because it looks so finished from the Kingsway side of the building. It’s not so tidy in other areas as we are still unpacking boxes and organizing spaces. Please be patient with us while we make sure the library is truly ready to welcome you. Watch for a sign in the front window that says “We are open.”
For those monitoring the progress of the new branch through this blog who are curious about the inside, we encourage you to come and visit us. If you aren’t nearby enough to do that, check the website later in the month. Once the library is open, we will post pictures of spaces and furnishings.
We’re tired but excited!
Deb Thomas
Deputy Chief Librarian
Entry filed under: Opening. Tags: .
1.
Gerald Hunter | November 8, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Patience you may have, but the quid pro quo for it is to be kept up to date, not left wondering. Now that the late October / early November is here, a date for the opening is to be expected. Failure to publish a date bespeaks confusion, lack of management, or lack of accuntability to citizens, or some combination of these elements.
I hope that a date is provided without further delay, so that those who are entitled to one do not have to take further steps to make one forthcoming. It is to be noted that the namesake of the new facility would be somewhat less than enamoured of the failure to provide one unbidden.
Thank you.
2.
edmondslib | November 9, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Hi Gerald – I’m sorry you feel that our inability to provide you with a specific date speaks of lack of management and accountability. I assure you that we are doing our best to open as quickly as possible and can appreciate that Burnaby residents – especially Kingsway branch regulars – are anxious to see the beautiful new branch and reacquaint themselves with the friendly staff.
We have made the choice not to announce an opening date until we are sure of it – preferable, we believe, to announcing a date that might need to be retracted if we could not meet it. If you have ever been part of the construction of and moving into a public building, you might empathize (as I am sure Tommy Douglas would from his many years as a politician in various levels of government) with the myriad small issues that arise in a project of this scale and complexity. I am pleased to say that all of the issues that have arisen have been resolvable and that City and library staff are working hard to ensure any that remain are resolved quickly. An announcement about the grand opening date will be forthcoming this week – watch our website and the walls of your local Burnaby Public Library branch for details. And we’ll look forward to seeing you at the Tommy Douglas Library!
Deb Thomas, Deputy Chief Librarian
3.
Andrea Noble | November 10, 2009 at 4:57 am
I can’t wait! The building looks amazing. I love the design, colours, landscaping and am very excited about the opening.
Is it possible to email us when you know the date of the opening? That would be super!
Thanks very much! I know you are all working very hard to get it opened as soon as possible.
Cheers,
Andrea
4.
edmondslib | November 12, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Hi Andrea – I am pleased to announce that our grand opening for the new library will be November 21st at 1 pm. There will be a soft opening previous to that date. Watch for the “We are open” sign in the front window.
The building is just as amazing inside as it is outside.
Deb Thomas
Deputy Chief Librarian
5.
Joanie Katz | November 12, 2009 at 12:37 am
I have not idea why you would have closed the existing branch 2 months prior to opening the new one. I am sure that a project like this could have been planned a little better. The clients that use the Edmonds branch are often seniors or low income families that have no transportation other than public transit. Expecting your patrons to be satisfied with the option to return or borrow from branches that are so far away is ridiculous and thoughtless.
The old branch should have remained operational until the new one was completed.
6.
edmondslib | November 12, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Hi Joanie – We know that our Kingsway Branch regulars have been very anxious for us to reopen and we are truly sorry that the closure has lasted longer than originally planned. We could not, however, remain open while preparing to move over 80,000 books and other collections, computers and office equipment.
Once we had moved into the new branch last month, there would have been no reason to keep the old branch open since there was nothing in it. The book return has remained open in the old branch and staff have checked it daily.
The delay in opening the new branch has been due to the issues mentioned in my reply to Mr. Hunter. We wanted to be fully ready to welcome area residents when we opened our doors – shelves in place and well-stocked, computers operational, and no workmen underfoot.
We are aware of the particular demographic in the Edmonds area and know that many of our patrons come to us on foot or by public transit and that this closure has been a hardship for them. Many of them have visited us at the Metrotown branch and expressed their eagerness for the Edmonds area branch to re-open.
Our grand opening is on November 21 at 1 pm. I hope you will join us. There will be a soft opening previous to that date. Watch for the “We are open” sign in our front window.
Deb Thomas
Deputy Chief Librarian
7.
LeeAnn | November 12, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I think the new library looks fantastic and I am so excited for the grand opening. You’ve done an amazing job sticking to the construction schedule as closely as possible. I’ve been involved in several large construction projects and the coordination involved is extraordinary.
There will always be naysayers but I compliment you on a job well-done AND that you’ve provided regular updates and clear information via this blog.
All the best!
8.
edmondslib | November 12, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Thanks for your understanding and support. I hope you’ll be able to join us for the Grand Opening on Saturday, November 21 at 1 pm and see how lovely it is inside as well.
Deb Thomas
Deputy Chief,