The Library: A Place for YOUth
Target Completion Date: June 30, 2022
What is this project about?
The County of Prince Edward Public Library’s Picton Branch is in the early construction stages of a long-awaited, community funded expansion. This project, “The library: a place for YOUth”, will add innovative and meaningful youth spaces to the expansion project.
The Picton Branch Library has, for many years, struggled to meet the often-competing needs of youth, families, and adults due to space limitations. For example, the Discover Youth 2SLGBTQ+ group often wait in the hall for the knitting group to finish using the meeting space which can be frustrating for both groups.
This project will enhance youth spaces in the expanded & renovated library with access to technology, friendly library staff and other resources. Youth who spend time in the library are more connected to each other and their community and are exposed to new ideas, books and technology in a rich learning environment.
The project will add:
A Youth Activity Area with kitchenette and theatre risers. This room will be accessible and welcoming to everyone for theatre programs, author visits and other youth engagement programs. The library will offer science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) programs for youth in this space.
An exterior courtyard garden area which youth will be able to use for quiet study, visiting with friends and to enjoy the green space. Garden beds which can be tended by youth volunteers will be an additional feature of this area. Recognizing that youth often need a quiet space, the project will add a “sensory friendly” area. Inspired by similar projects at other libraries, this will be a place where overwhelmed youth can go to take a break. Useful for people on the autism spectrum, with sensory processing disorder, or anxiety, it will be an enclosed room with a variety of tactile manipulatives, soft seating, and calming lights.
An exterior amphitheatre space will allow for exciting live performances as well as be a performance venue for young musicians. Feeling supported by their community will allow young musical artists to grow and thrive.
Soundproof room – this space will be available for musical recording, podcasting and more. Youth who wish to develop their technological skills through this space will be able to do so at no cost.
A computer lounge will include computers, tables and chairs and an exterior patio. Students need space to work and study with helpful assistance at hand. The library’s community makerspace welcomes creatives and inventors of all ages to use technology and other makerspace tools to innovate, and the expanded lounge will mean there is space for this to happen.
Exterior laneway area – There is a brick laneway in between the Picton Branch Library and next door’s Regent theatre. This space will become a lively market area with murals and sitting areas, with bike racks and lighting. The library piloted a small project in Summer 2020 which welcomed buskers and artists to book the outdoor space, and we were delighted by the enthusiastic young visual and musical artists who took advantage of the opportunity to share their passions with the community while also earning money.
Why is this project important to the community?
Anne Howells
Deborah Hierlihy
Gillian Leek
Bill McMahon
Steve Ferguson
Bill Roberts
Helferty Rose Anne
William
Janet Davies
Peta Hall
D. Rankin
Hilary Minns
John Hirsch
Oriella Stillo
Ted Norris
Sheila Eagen
Julianne
Lynne Rochon
S Leighton Lockyer
Liz French
Lgbtq youth
Shani Mootoo
Sharon
Jeremy and Carol Gander
Bev Skidmore
Raman
Myrna Wood
Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer
Marilyn
Victoria Sutherland
Donald Mazerolle
Mary Sinclair
Ross McGregor
Marshall Kingma
Sharon Lake
Read Sherman
Andrea
Martha Campbell
Robin
Barbara
Davis M Anita
Amanda Perkins
Kelsey Howe
Mary Warner
Jessica Basciano
Marion Hughes
vanessa pandos
monique
Jan Nightingale
Alison Parker
Jane Corey
Maxine Tiller
Kathy Condie
Dawn Cutler
Nicole Moore
Ray Hobson
Conor Sweet
Devon Jones
Andrea Harrison
Andrea Harrison
Carlyn Moulton
Reg Zima
Trish Van Huesen
Shellee Perkins
Liz Zylstra
Ryan Aldred
Linda Pierson
Robin Everhardus
Liz
Zelda
Tim Kraemer
Sarah LeBlanc
Joan McBride
Julia Lamoca
Joan M
B Dorland
Janet Aston
elizabeth etue
Edward Hildreth
Cassie Lyon
Alexander Murray
Dominique Jones
Marlene Fraser
Michelle Murray
Lacy Rosborough
Veronica Cluett
Alexis Bouma
Bree Seeley
Alicia
Judith van Bastelaar
Cheryl Anderson
Amy Shubert
Don Wakefield
Charles Morris
Deb Hedges
Joy Williams
Sue Fowler
Clinton Hele
Emily Cole
Carolynn Whiteley
Alida robertson
Myrna Wood
Wendy J LeBlanc
Dawn
Alexandra Bake
Robyn Lakey
Krista Dalby
Isles Sarah
Penny Morris
Jill Reville Hill
Mary Tucker
Hobson Sheila
Beth Vader-Kuijpers
Andrew Shantz
Andrew Shantz
Andrew Shantz
Linda Middleton
Jocelyn Wattam
A Aldred
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The Library: A Place for YOUth