On Saturday, Kingstonians gathered to celebrate the grand reopening of The Isabel Turner Library.
After a long 20-month renovation, the library was officially reopened, and the event had a lineup of people witnessing new technology and accessibility improvements.
Chief Librarian Laura Carter shared her anxiety ahead of the event.
“In your personal life, you throw a party, and then you’re worried, like, is anyone going to come?… We had a lineup out and around the parking lot, so people have been very excited,” said Carter.
The event hosted hundreds of people and offered face painting, a photo booth, contests with prizes and much more.
Patrons were greeted at the door by city councillors and members of the library board, who handed out specialized bookmarks.
Wooden bookmarks and water bottles were handed out at the grand-opening (YGK News/Meaghan Beavis)
“It was really meaningful that they took the time out of their Saturday to come and celebrate the opening of the branch,” said Carter.
Laura Turner, daughter of Isabel Turner who the library was named after was also in attendance.
The Isabel Turner Branch, constructed in 1997, was named after the late Isabel Turner, former mayor of Kingston and an advocate for local library services.
According to the Kingston Frontenac Public Library Website, the branch underwent renovations to “enhance accessibility and functionality and update the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.”
Along with structural changes, some other new improvements to the branch made the opening even more special. Nicole Charles, director of facilities and technology expressed her excitement.
“My team has been working extremely hard to bring this to the community…I’m so pleased because we put so much time and thought into different spaces here,” said Charles.
Although many improvements were made, Charles detailed her worries when it came to the new project.
“One of the things we were so grateful to get was federal funding, we weren’t sure if we were going to get that,” said Charles.
The library received financial support from the Government of Canada through the Green and Inclusive Community Building Program.
Some of the new improvements include accessible technology, self-checkout, private study-room bookings and new computers that help library goers search the catalogue.
“It’s more intuitive, it’s more modern, it gives an experience to the customer where they can see more of what’s happening in the library,” said Charles.
Gillian Hennessy, a longtime customer of the library, was among many people impressed by what the library had to offer.
“I think it’s amazing that they have all these different spaces where you can study now and rent rooms,” said Hennessy.
The branch has returned to its regular hours; full details can be found on the KFPL website.
