Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ottawa Public Library (OPL) will launch a public engagement process beginning on Sept. 13 “that will inform and lead to the establishment of a new library branch to serve the growing community of Orléans, Cumberland and surrounding areas,” the library said in a statement last Wednesday.
“OPL will be gathering public input in a multi-phased approach in order to determine the services needed at a new location south of Innes Road, and to inform decisions on bringing the Library’s learning, literacy, and creative resources closer to these communities,” the statement said.
The first step will be an online survey through City of Ottawa’s Engage Ottawa platform, in English and French, starting on Sept. 13. OPL will also be gathering movement data to support decision-making regarding the location of a new branch. For this analysis of traffic patterns, residents will be asked to highlight places in the community that are part of their daily, weekly, and monthly routine. The survey will be open for three weeks, until at least Oct. 4
Further steps will include virtual focus groups with community stakeholders and a virtual open house to report back to the community in early 2022. OPL will reach out to customers again for input when design begins.
