Details about cost and size of a new downtown Saskatoon library coming this spring

The Saskatoon Public Library has hired a company to make the case for a new downtown library branch.

On Wednesday the library's board of directors approved a $145,000 (plus GST) contract for a six-person team at the consulting firm KPMG, half of whom are based in Saskatoon.

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The team will come up with estimates for the cost and size of a new library building.

Renovating the 52-year-old Frances Morrison downtown branch — which is non-compliant with several building codes — and leasing existing empty downtown space will also be considered, library CEO Carol Cooley told city councillors earlier this week.

Let's get digital

While Cooley mentioned the importance of providing digital services, a strong physical collection will remain a priority, she added.

The library spoke to 2,000 residents during interviews, pop-up events, a workshop and an online survey.

Just over two-thirds supported the idea of a new library, according to Cooley.

"We're encouraged by these findings, as we have yet to develop our case for support," she said.

More rigorous polling will likely follow, Cooley added.

Quiet, please

The most commonly cited priority of residents was individual quiet spaces.

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City councillors recently visited the new library in Halifax.

"It's a perfect example of what people are looking for in libraries," said Cooley.

"It's an open, flexible space. There's no children's department and teen's area. There was sort of a flow between the two."

The business case is expected to be ready in spring 2019.