6 Saskatoon groups tell why they want a new downtown library

Several groups in Saskatoon are speaking out in favour of building a new downtown library.

"We firmly believe that a healthy city has a healthy downtown and a library," said Dean Dodge, the CEO of the YMCA of Saskatoon.

In September, the Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) service presented its business case to city council. The plan calls for many new features not currently offered at the Frances Morrison Central Library branch on 23rd Street E.

The estimated project cost is $154 million. SPL would have to borrow $87.5 million of that — although city councillors still need to approve that borrowing and it's not clear when that will happen.

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SPL is currently looking at a few undisclosed sites and hopes to open the new library at the chosen site in 2026. 

Some of the new features planned include:

• Indoor and outdoor green spaces.
• A dedicated ceremony space.
• Fire-protected storage for irreplaceable materials at the Local History Room.
• A new oral stories collection.
• Technology-centred learning and innovation spaces.
• Bookable rooms for patrons to use.
• A café.

Here's a handy chart comparing the proposed new features with what currently exists now: 

SPL has said providing community gathering spaces is key to its plan.

Dodge of the YMCA of Saskatoon agreed a new library "is not just about borrowing books." 

"The library does a lot of work with helping give people a sense of belonging and they empower people for their own education in their own pursuits," he said. 

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Dodge said he hopes to see more consultation as SPL's plans evolve, particularly on forming partnerships to offer programming at the new library.

"The YMCA or the YWCA and the library — a lot of our children and family programs are very, very similar," he said. "So to me there's some natural synergies and connections there."

Thumbs-up for green spaces

Ali Abukar, the CEO of the Saskatoon Open Door Society, said the library is crucial tool for newcomers to Canada and the city, for everything from its free Wi-Fi to accessible spaces.

"It helps with establishing a sense of belonging and community," Abukar said.

"Newcomers need a lot of community resources at the beginning and places where it is easy to access and where they also can access things that can connect them both not only to their new community but also maintaining their cultural connection to their to their original countries."

Abukar said he also likes the idea of new green space.

"Downtown is all buildings," he said. "Having green spaces that are available, that can survive all seasons …. those are important things."

'A place where you would go and feel comfortable'

Barry MacDougall, the director of education for Saskatoon Public Schools, cited the plans for technology-centred learning spaces.

"It's easier to bring a group of students in and access the entire collection which obviously is massive relative to any one school's collection," MacDougall said. 

"I've taken a walk through the new Calgary Public Library in downtown Calgary and the increase in the availability of technology to everybody in that community really levels the playing field."

Plans for a new Saskatoon library also include an indoor play space.

"I have seen that kind of a structure in other public libraries in Canada and it's not intrusive," MacDougall said. "It doesn't get in the way of what most of us would consider to be the core functions. So I think they're designing themselves as a place where you would go and feel comfortable for life."

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Other groups have written letters of support for the new library project.   

The following is a sampling of what they said. 

Fighting misinformation

University of Saskatchewan Library:

"In this age of rampant misinformation, libraries ensure that their clients have both access to accurate information and the professional support necessary to make sure they are able to access that information."

Improving literacy

Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division:

"Through this new central library, we will continue to work collaboratively to meet the diverse needs of the City of Saskatoon with a continued focus in improving literacy for all members of our community."

Sparking urban renewal

DTNYXE (Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District)

"In cities around Canada and the world, there are many recent examples where central libraries have served as catalysts for urban development and renewal."