Saskatoon is one of many Canadian cities that has planned or has recently finished a new downtown library.
The business case report from the Saskatoon Public Library states that Calgary’s library opened in 2018, Vancouver’s in 2017 and Edmonton’s opened this month.
Public Library CEO Carol Cooley says some of the amenities in the plans are expanding from the current 32 public computers to around 135, bookable rooms for smaller groups and a 200 seat theatre.
The current Frances Morrison has a 192 seat theatre that is used mostly for library programming.
The downtown library also has an art gallery.
Cooley says a new addition would be a demonstration kitchen for library programming, and to also use at events like the opening of gallery shows.
Many libraries around the world have a cafe now, and that is also part of the plans for the location at 2nd Avenue and 25th Street.
The cafe space would be leased to a tenant to run.
It’s estimated the doors to the new facility will open in 2026.