Journal Staff
Sarnia and Lambton County are undertaking a needs review of the city’s three libraries and splitting the cost.
The $30,000 study will look at user statistics, services offered and the layout of floor space needed in a modern community library.
Sarnia’s downtown library already needs $3.5 million worth of repairs and upgrades over 10 years, according a building condition report last December.
Sarnia Library, which is owned by the city but operated by the county, needs mechanical, electrical and theatre improvements, the report states.
Some are required to meet Ontario building and fire codes.
One of the first changes will be new washrooms, which will be fully accessible and moved to a spot near the internal entrance to the Children’s Library.
Steps to the existing washrooms make the library difficult for anyone with a disability to use.
The county also wants to expand services at the Mallroad branch but can’t because of space limitations.
The lease on the Lambton Mall Road location expires Dec. 31, 2017, and the new study could identify a suitable space.
Minor capital needs at the Bright’s Grove library branch will also be examined, city staff say.