New/Expanded Libraries and Economic Development Presentation to Sidney Committee of the Whole by Councillor Peter Wainwright 19 May 2015

• VIRL experience is that renovated or expanded branches see 20% to 25% increase in use.

• Doing this in our downtown is an opportunity to significantly increase “footsteps” without new residences.

• Sidney/North Saanich is already long overdue for a library expansion.

VIRL Facility Priorities: Large / Urban Branches

VIRL’s space requirement is based on 0.6 ft2 per capita % of VIRL required size

In 2013 the “average” VIRL community library was 0.37 ft2 per capita.

For Sidney/North Saanich this would be a 8,245 ft2 library.

We are 5,671 ft2 … only 69% of that size.

Our library is about 1/3 smaller than the “average” community’s.

VIRL’s Reserve for New / Expanded Facilities

2015 Harbourfront, 2016 Chemainus, 2017 Sooke

VIRL 2015 – 2019 Financial Plan

VIRL’s projected average increase = 5.54%

There seems little prospect that VIRL will be willing to partner with us on expansion for at least several years.

We have been paying our fair share for several years but getting less than our fair share of service.

This situation is likely to continue for at least several years and opportunities will be lost.

If we can’t get traction with VIRL for a new branch …

perhaps it’s time to consider

if we might be better with GVPL.

Source: BC Public Library Statistics In 2012, 45.2% of the Sidney/North Saanich area were active cardholders

“Urban” = municipal library with >20,000 population

Source: BC Public Library Statistics “Urban” = municipal librry with >20,000 population

Source: BC Public Library Statistics “Urban” = municipal library with >20,000 population

Source: BC Public Library Statistics “Urban” = municipal library with>20,000 population

Source: BC Public Library Statistics “Urban” = municipal library with >20,000 population

Source: BC Public Library Statistics “Urban” = municipal library with >20,000 population

Source: BC Publi Library Statistics “Urban” = municipal library with >20,000 population

Source: BC Public Library Statistics “Urban” = municipal library with >20,000 population

Recommendations:

1. Aggressive discussion with VIRL about a new branch in our downtown

2. Small committee to consider merits of GVPL

3. Discussion with North Saanich about library service

4. Public engagement