An information session shed some light on the future of the Alice B. Donahue Library last Tuesday.
With the help of Edmonton-based architecture company Manasc Isaac and their $5,000 Blue Sky Award, the Library has been able to look into the possibility of a new building.
Councillors representing both the Town of Athabasca and Athabasca County were present at the meeting, as were interested residents.
The consensus amongst the politicians, as county councillor Larry Armfelt stated, is that a new library building is needed.
Thatís consistent with the findings of Manasc Isaac.
ìItís obvious why this building is no longer meeting its purpose,î said Vivian Manasc. ìI donít know if there is much doubt of that. Itís challenging because the library and archives share space with the performing arts and with others as well. The building has pretty limited structural capacity, and very limited wheelchair accessibility. The technology is obviously a little tricky as well. You turn around and there are wires hanging in every corner.î
Manascís presentation addressed lots of factors concerning the building of a new library.
ìA new library and archives is needed to ensure the ongoing and expanding educational, recreational and cultural needs of the residents of the town and county to preserve the heritage of Athabasca and the region, making it accessible to all,î she stated. ìThe library and archives will contribute to the vibrancy of the downtown core, anchoring it with opportunities for entertainment, leisure, personal development and knowledge.î
Manasc stated libraries that are centrally located tend to draw more traffic.
ìCertainly one of the things that is working well about the current library is that it is located centrally, and it is located with performing arts, pottery, archives, with the old brick school house,î she said. ìI use the term ëcultural precinctí. I think it is a place where cultural activities can take place.î
There are other facilities that are close by that contribute to the atmosphere of the library.
Manasc acknowledged the belief of some that the library could be better located.
ìThe location of the new facility is highly controversial here in town. I know there are a number of different perspectives.î
A survey that library staff conducted showed that the library is utilized 50 per cent by county residents, and 50 per cent by town citizens.
ìWe know that in communities like Athabasca, this is your home, your place, and a library is a very important facility,î Manasc said. ìThis meeting is more just the opportunity to start a larger conversation with all of you in the community to say, this is the vision, this is the dream, letís talk some more.î
She stated that with the Brick School becoming available in the near future, it would create an opportunity to be part of the new library.
ìThe demonstrated need now for a new library and archives and the potential vacancy of the Brick School creates a timely opportunity,î she said.
ìThe building itself lends itself well to being a reading room, an archives, to being a place where people come. It has the right atmosphere.î
Manasc said the archives would work well in the brick schoolhouse if it was restored properly.
She noted that architects favor communities like Athabasca when looking to design a building.
ìWe find that itís just so great to see the kind of energy that is here,î she stated.
ìItís so inspiring for us to see the kind of passion, commitment and enthusiasm there is.î
Any discussion about the future of Athabascaís library will be speculative until the County and Town agree on where to put it.
So far, no councillor has denied the need for a new library, but the location of it remains a contentious issue.
Late last year, the county released a statement saying they would be willing to split funding for a new library with the town, if the library was built at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex. There has also been talk from Aspen View School Division in regards to building a public and school library.
During the stakeholders information session last Tuesday, architect Vivian Manasc stated that if a school and public library were to be combined, it would not bring favorable results.
Manasc stated libraries that are in a central location near downtown normally see more use than a library people need transportation to get to.
Athabasca town councillor Paula Evans was on the library board before becoming a town councillor, and would like to see a location picked so fundraising efforts can begin.
She was pleased with the turnout and interest shown at the meeting.
ìHopefully this is a step forward in achieving a dream,î she stated.
Athabasca Mayor Roger Morrill was also at the meeting.
ìThe reason that I went to the meeting was to become better informed on the matter relating to our public library,î he said. ìI listened to a valuable presentation. I felt I left with more information than I had before.î
Morrill said he thought the meeting would help create awareness about the need for a new library.
ìI am trying to gather as much information as I can, and I know this process is just starting,î he said.
County councillor Larry Armfelt stated he thought the presentation was excellent and was very informative.
ìI guess I was surprised at the overall acceptance,î he said regarding the need for a new building. ìThese things build slowly. There were an awful lot of good people in that room the other night. I think good people will carry the ball.î
