A NEW CHAPTER

Charlottetown Library Learning Centre

By Jacqui Chaisson Photos Story Thorburn

A community library is so much more than a place to borrow books and the new Charlottetown Library Learning Centre’s (CLLC) 40,000 square feet has quickly become a gathering place. The project entered the planning stages in the summer of 2019 and construction commenced spring 2020 to be completed in July 2022. Opening day was July 18, 2022.

“Dawn Alan of Downtown Charlottetown Inc., the Board of Charlottetown Library Learning Centre Inc. and the staff and management of the Confederation Centre Public Library were instrumental in the planning the project.” Beth Clinton, Regional Librarian for PEI Public Library Service said, “Project manager was the Charlottetown Area Develop Corp., and the architect was 9Yards Architecture.”

There are a wealth of services and new spaces including an audio recording studio, children’s program room, game room with three Xbox systems, community kitchen and front and back terraces, “The Makerspace is equipped with technology and creative supplies like 3D printers, Circuit, Makeymakeys, Ozobot, sewing machines and a hydroponic and aeroponic garden.” Clinton said.

The CLLC also offers a variety of space for meetings and events, rooms from 129 to 2260 square feet with hourly or daily rental rates. The Rotary Auditorium can be divided into two smaller spaces and is available outside of library hours if required and there is a boardroom as well as two smaller meeting rooms for public use on a first-come-first-serve basis or you can book the space as a rental. You will find lots of washrooms including a family washroom and an abundance of soft seating and workspaces. When you’re at the CLLC visit the TD Art Corridor— curated by This Town is Small, this area is for local artist displays and features a new artist every three months.

“People love the new space. They find it welcoming and feel like they can come and spend the entire day (many do).” Clinton said, “They like the opportunities it presents to be a part of the community. Many people have dropped in to see the space and have returned to regular library use and visits.”

It’s easy to get comfortable with the addition of the café, The Shed Café, which offers coffee, tea, beverages and light snacks and sandwiches. You can spend hours people-watching while relaxing in the inviting seating area that overlooks Queen Street. “Many more students use the library for studying than we saw in the previous library.” Clinton said, “Due to the larger space we can showcase more of our special collections and ‘Library of Things’ that include items like radon detectors, snowshoes, technology kits, infrared cameras, and our newest addition— tools and tool kits.”

This summer you can look forward to family movie nights in the Rotary Auditorium, a full slate of children’s programs including story times, toddler time, Wiggle giggle read for babies, puppet shows, special guest visits and the TD Summer Reading Club as well as weekly summer reading club programs.

“Adult programming staff do a larger program each spring and fall, plans for that are in the works.’ Clinton said, “Regular monthly programming will resume in the fall and include things like book clubs, technology classes, crafternoon, fibre arts club, game nights and information and learning sessions.”

Follow the PEI Public Library Service on Facebook and Instagram for programs and other information. The CLLC is open Monday to Thursday 9:30 am to 8:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 9:30 am to 5 pm and every Sunday from 12:30 pm to 5 pm.

Charlottetown Library Learning Centre 97 Queen Street, Charlottetown 902.368.4642 www.princeedwardisland.ca For room rental inquires visit: www.cllcroomrentals.ca