Jensen Lakes Crossing will eventually be home to a leased storefront library in St. Albert.
The library announced May 17 work on the storefront location's foundation began this past week. Library CEO Peter Bailey and board chair Janice Marschner signed a lease with Melcor Developments last month.
Once completed, the storefront library will include 4,000 square feet of space. A request for proposals for an architect closes May 29.
"We're very pleased with the location – w know the Library needs to have a presence in the north end of the city, and this location has easy access, ample parking, and great neighbouring amenities," Marschner stated in a media release.
"We've heard consistently that citizens in north St. Albert are underserved by the Library, and this small space will make a big difference to those residents who have difficulty accessing the downtown Library."
The St. Albert Public Library expects to take possession of the space in early October, with a public opening in January 2020.
The library asked residents in April to weigh in on what the storefront space should prioritize. Top picks included materials for all ages, multipurpose seating areas and open spaces for flexible programming.
Bailey stated more consultation will be happening in the future.
"It's a small space, so we'll be focusing on community priorities, including the most in-demand children's programs, public computers, and high-demand collection favourites," he stated.
"One of the crucial elements of the storefront library will be its seamless connection to the downtown Library, transporting items back and forth to north residents. This is a great interim solution to the community's ongoing need for expanded Library space."
