Media Advisory: A Library for the 21st Century

We are pleased to share the following Media Advisory with you regarding READ's presentation tonight at the Ottawa Public Library Board meeting. As you may have heard, our spring was filled with a rich consultation to hear from our residents what their priorities are for Rosemount Library. Having assessed the information, READ with the strong support of Jeff, will be advocating to see a new space created for a new library with increased space to accommodate the needs we heard were important to our community. 

MEDIA ADVISORY: A Library for the 21^st Century

Ottawa, (September 5, 2016). The Rosemount Expansion and Development (READ) group and Kitchissippi Ward Councillor Jeff Leiper, recognize that there are no viable options at the current Rosemount Library site (18 Rosemount Ave, Hintonburg), and will recommend a new library must be built so Rosemount becomes a library for the 21^st century. The future development of Rosemount Library will be discussed at the Ottawa Public Library Board meeting on Tuesday, September 6^th at 5 pm in the Champlain Room, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave W. Presentations will be made to the Board by the Rosemount Expansion and Development (READ) group and by Kitchissippi Councillor Jeff Leiper.

Over the past two years, READ – a group of concerned citizens and community associations – have been seeking solutions to the overcrowding and the current 98 year old building’s severely limited space.  Recommendations to be presented by READ are based on the results of a series of public consultations held in the late winter and early spring of 2016. These were assisted financially by Councillor Leiper. Over 150 Rosemount Library users attended these sessions to voice their deep commitment to ensuring the library remains a vital presence in our community. A further 50 expressed their views via a questionnaire on READ’s website.

Since 1918 the branch library has been deeply loved and well used by the diverse communities within its catchment area. Rosemount serves thousands of users and has fostered strong and vibrant partnerships with nearby education institutions, community organizations and families who use it on a regular basis. But its small footprint has meant years of overcrowding and some branch programming, found at other branches across the Ottawa Library system, cannot be offered.

READ feels strongly that the solution is a new building accessible to all and located in the heart of Hintonburg.

www.readrosemount.ca 
readrosemount@gmail.com

Facebook:   facebook.com/readrosemount  

Twitter:      twitter.com/readrosemount

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