Fundraising Campaign | Pledge Card | Donation Levels

Naming Opportunities | Events | Check Our Progress | Photos

NEW Proposed Joint Facility for the Fort Frances Public Library & Robert Moore School Study - click here

NEW Library Architect Drawings - click here

Rockin' for the Library
The Rockin' for the Library Fundraising Event was a huge success. The Sensational Hot Rods from Thunder Bay were truly sensational.

Message From Campaign Chair, Mark Kowalchuk:

I am excited to be involved in the community efforts to see a new library built in Fort Frances - a library that will be available and accessible to all who wish to enjoy everything the library has to offer throughout their lives.

There is a shared excitement in the community as people discover the opportunities to honour and remember those who made reading important to them. Whether your donation is large or small, it can be made to honour that special teacher, parent, or friend who made and makes reading an important part of your life.

I am looking forward to seeing this project through to completion and I am anticipating the excitement of those who will be able to access what promises to be a great addition to our community. The new library will provide improved opportunities to explore the world through books, magazines, newspapers, electronic media and programs.

A Rich History

First established in 1898 as a Mechanic's Institute, the Fort Frances Public Library is a conerstone institution in our community. In 1905 our local library and city forefathers built on the tradition of public library services and secured funding from the Caneige Foundation to build a new library on Church Street. In 1967, the Library addition was the centennial project for our town

Did You Know that in 2005, Your Library had:

• 7,632 Library Members
• 205, 411 items cirulated
• 6,396 internet customers
• 10, 333 items delivered to homebound individuals
• 6, 387 people attending library programs
• 150 children participated in the Summer Reading Program
• 100 children joined the Jiggle & Jive Teen Reading Program
• 127 preschoolers registered in weekly Storytimes
• 45 parents enrolled in Mother Goose sessions
• 1,254 visitors to the library in a single week

	Internet Training			Children's Programs
Storytimes			Teen Zone

Our Challenge

In the past 30 years, public libraries have become more than simply storehouses for books. Today we offer a varieth of programs and services to meet the technological and literacy needs of the community.

However, we have reached a critical stage where the exsisting facility no longer serves the needs of all of our citizens.

Accessibility is a major problem. We strongly believe that a public library should be accessible and available to everyone. There are children who cannot access the Children's Department because of the stairs. The stairs and ramp into the building make it difficult or impossible for people with limited mobility. Our washrooms are not accessible to all patrons. Our meeting space and work areas are crowded and inconvenient. Book shelving is congested and too high. There is no space for additional computers, bookracks and quiet study areas.

We have definitely outgrown our building.

Inaccessible Children's Dept.

Difficult Ramp

High & Crowded Shelves

Cramped Workrooms

Our Future Library

The new building presents opportunities for efficiencies in building design and construction. The library is evolving into a provider of a "space" more so than a provider of certain specific services. A space to retrieve information, to study, to browse the internet and to conduct business. The new library will be a place for neighbours to get together, for ideas to be shared, for events to take place and for people to spend time together. "I'll meet you at the library" will be a phrase that people use with pride.

The citizens of Fort Frances deserve a first-rate library that will include:

• One level, fully accessible to everyone
• A variety of reading areas, including a fireplace lounge
• A reading garden
• Larger computer area
• Lower shelves and wider aisles
• Face-out book displays to make it easier to find a great read
• Study rooms
• Storytime, programming room
• Multi-purpose board room
• An exciting children's area, with a separate areas for preschoolers and older children
• Special Teen Area with lounge seating & computers
• Self-check-out station for convenience and privacy
• Washrooms, accessible to everyone
• Additional office/workroom/storage space
• Ample parking
• Improved energy efficiencies