The county library board is hoping to find a way to give children and adults their own separate space at the Centre 2000 library in Erin.
The library is shared with the high school, and the library board looked at some ways to separate the two groups because of noise issues.
The board was given a concept plan at its meeting on Nov. 9 from Paul Sapounzi, of Ventin Group Architects. The plan shows a wall and divider space that would cost about $100,000 and include a fireplace.
Wellington County chief administrative officer Scott Wilson said of the proposal, “It seems to make appropriate use of the space.”
The plan calls for a lot of the electronics that young people use to be on one side of a wall and room for reading that includes Newspapers and periodicals on the other.
“If it’s not what the board has in mind, we’ll try something else,” Wilson said.
Head librarian Murray McCabe told the board the branch had not received any complaint about noise.
But Lou Maieron said, “The mayor has.”
He explained people have stopped him to complain about noise. He said when there are 100 to 200 young people in the library, adults find it too noise. Centre 2000 is shared with the school board and houses Erin high school.
Wilson noted that whatever the board decides will also have to be passed along to the school board.
Councillor Shawn Watters said of the proposal, “We’re spending money, but I don’t think it will accomplish what you want.’
He said he suspects it will still be noisy.
McCabe said the library is busiest at noon hour and the rest of the time it is used by a single class and by students who have spares.
Warden Chris White suggested the staff could monitor the number of young people using the library.
Wilson said he has been there several times, and “noise is not an issue” to him. He added that if there are changes, $100,000 “would be more than reasonable.”
White suggested the plan is open to ideas and more research, and suggested the committee visit the library and obtain their own impressions.
