3.4 Library Staff Workshops

Three workshops with Library Staff were held in early 2021 with Branch Managers (March 11), the Library’s Senior Management Team (March 16), as well as Librarians and front-line staff (April 1). Each workshop yielded insightful perspectives ranging from the Library as an entire system/organization to each individual branch. Notable and common themes from the workshops have been consolidated so that responses are not personally identifiable to any particular staff person.

Balancing the Different Demands that Library Customers Place on Space

Brampton Library is a Civic Integrator & A Welcoming Space for All

Brampton Library branches are highly valued for the types of spaces and services that are offered within them. Residents place a high value on quiet areas as well as more dynamic, collaborative and social spaces. Sometimes balancing the diverse range of program and services being sought in a given branch can be challenging, particularly if the spaces do not have sufficient physical separation to minimize potential conflicts or distractions such as noise, foot traffic, or simply activities taking place if they must displace another. To combat this challenge, Library staff suggested creating defined areas for uses but doing so in a manner that still allows flexibility to adjust day-to-day or month-to-month, integrating glass walls to retain an open concept feel, and pursuing multi-level library branches where programming and noisier activities could be separated from quiet areas.

The Library is seen as a space that brings people together by creating a safe, welcoming and comfortable atmosphere where ALL residents are welcome. Library staff see opportunities to build on this strength by providing areas where residents can “explore, discover and create,” be places that incubate start-ups and small businesses, and provide an introduction to Canada and Brampton for newcomers to the city. Staff generally support the idea of including library branches as part of civic hubs, which lends itself well to the Library’s inherent role as a multi-service access point though there is also recognition that spaces and services provided by multiple organizations need to work cohesively for a hub model to work.

Keeping Pace with Population Growth & Diversification

Even with recent investments in new and existing library branches, the incredible rate of growth in Brampton continually creates substantial pressures and generates needs for additional library space. Higher density and transit-oriented developments will result in greater foot traffic and needs for services, however, the size and/or configuration of existing branches are not conducive to the Library growing with its population. The socio-economic and cultural diversification in Brampton is also quite varied and thus library spaces and services will need to consider such aspects if people are to be drawn to the branches.

Expanding the Geographic Reach of the Library

A Focus on the Neighbourhood

Study & Quiet Spaces are in High Demand

In addition to the need for physical space discussed above, travel across Brampton can be challenging for people that do not have access to a personal vehicle as well as in terms of overall travel time. Although Brampton is investing heavily in transit, the ability of certain people to reach a library in a convenient time (particularly during peak travel periods) is somewhat limited due to the city’s historical automobile-centric design.

Gaps were specifically noted in Brampton’s south-east and south-west where residents must travel a considerable distance and time to access library services. Smaller branches embedded in neighbourhoods was one suggestion to improve service and relying on larger community-serving branches to provide specialized programs and services (e.g. makerspaces).

Brampton can be described as a “community of communities” due to its geographic size. A number of library branches draw people from a very large catchment area but Library staff see a potential to align with certain Citybuilding initiatives such as being part of healthy, walkable and vibrant community designs.

Existing and future libraries have the potential to form parts of neighbourhoods where residents can “live, work, and play” while delivering programs and spaces that can be tailored to the unique characteristics of the communities in which they are located. This could require a fundamental shift in the Library facility distribution model (e.g. centralized versus decentralized services) and historical catchment areas. Staff see an opportunity to work with the City of Brampton to a greater extent, particularly to integrate library “access points” within existing municipal spaces such as community centres found in neighbourhoods throughout the city to improve geographic distribution.

Library staff note that many Brampton residents place a high value on education and academic achievement. Accordingly, there is strong demand for study space across all branches among students of all ages ranging from school-age children to post-secondary students as well as adults pursuing continuing studies. However, the ability to access study spaces or quiet areas can be affected by other activities that are taking place in a branch as noted above. Library staff note that their branches are hubs of activity and thus interactions between people is desired (and will generate noise) but as one staff member indicated, “Silence is also a service.”