News & Notices

A New Library For Village of Tahsis

Plans are underway for the relocation and redevelopment of the Tahsis Library; benefitting local school, customers and community

NANAIMO, June 8th, 2016 – Plans are underway for the relocation and redevelopment of the Tahsis library, according to the Village of Tahsis, Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) and
School District 84.

The news was announced at the VIRL Board of Trustees regular meeting held on May 28th in Nanaimo by VIRL’s Executive Director, Rosemary Bonanno. The Tahsis library, which is a branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library’s cooperative, 39-branch system, will be relocated and refurbished to the nearby Captain Meares Elementary Secondary School. The plan supports VIRL’s strategic objectives to provide welcoming community spaces while optimizing public resources, responsibly manage costs and strengthen the community through collaborative partnerships.

“The Village Council is delighted to see the Tahsis Library move to a larger, more modern, and accessible space,” said Tahsis Mayor, Jude Schooner. “The library in Tahsis, like many rural communities, is the heart and soul of our community. Locating it within Captain Meares school will make the school a center for all readers and learners. We are grateful for this partnership between Vancouver Island Regional Library and School District #84 which will ensure a solid future for our library.”

The announcement follows the results of a report that investigated the costs to renovate the existing branch library, located at 977 South Maquinna Drive. Based on available options, it was determined that the current branch, which is shared with the Village of Tahsis Municipal Hall, would be more costly to renovate than the alternative option which would see the library at the nearby K-12 school.

In consultation with the Village of Tahsis and School District 84, the Captain Meares Elementary Secondary School was found to meet both load and facility requirements of the library while also potentially serving the school and community further. Investing in the library at the school invests in the school and the community, supporting the children and senior’s group that currently enjoy the space.

“Ease of student and staff access to new technology and an expanded collection of materials means that the re-location of the Tahsis branch to Captain Meares fully reflects and supports School District 84 (Vancouver Island West)’s mission statement,” comments Lawrence Tarasoff, Superintendent and Secretary Treasurer, School District 84. “In partnership with our divers ecommunities, School District 84 will provide all students with a quality education relevant to the demands of a modern society.”

The new library branch, located in the vacant west-wing of the school, will be approximately 1,500 square feet – making it almost double the size of the existing branch. With the needed renovation also comes a refreshed and tailored collection for the community, newer technology and equipment including public computers, continued free WiFi, and enhanced access for those with disabilities.

In 2015, the Tahsis library welcomed almost 4,000 visitors through its doors with over 10,000 items borrowed last year alone. Almost two-thirds of the population of the Village of Tahsis is a
registered card-holder. The library card in the Village of Tahsis is valued at approximately $1,636 in 2015, based on the unique items borrowed. Construction of the new library is expected to commence in the Fall of 2016 with a completion date in 2017.

What are the Costs?

The VIRL budget accounts for the cost of renovations and improvements to all of the branch libraries in its system as a part of a 10-year Facility Master Plan. In this way, no additional costs are required to be paid by the community (in essence, the community is already paying into the maintenance and refurbishment costs of their libraries). As a regional library system, the cost of VIRL’s libraries are shared by all community members within the regional service area – making the total increased cost in library services for all community members year after year equivalent to the cost of a cup of coffee.

When Will I Know More?

More information will follow as a construction timeline is developed. Visit virl.bc.ca for the latest updates and news about upcoming projects and events!

For more information contact:

Natasha Bartlett
Marketing and Communications Officer
250-327-3114
nbartlett@virl.bc.ca