The Smithers Library needs a new building to keep up with the needs of the community, according to Director Wendy Wright.
She says the library has increased 30 per cent in circulation and has the highest per capita usage in the region. She says more than 106,000 items were borrowed along with 75,000 visits last year.
Up to 75 kids are in the 3,400 square foot building at a time for non-instructional school days, according to Wright.
She says they even had to turn kids away one time when they had up to 175 packed into the building.
“That is pretty crowded. This summer at the Truth and Reconciliation event that we put on – we had over 150 people come to that event in this little space.”
Wright says the library is more than just books and has services to help with education along with free internet and community events.
Through consultation with School District 54 and Northwest Community College, Wright says they kept up with the changing times by lending out more technology like E-readers.
Council is also hosting a public forum on the need for a new library at the Hudson Bay Lodge on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Council has been looking at building a Bulkley-Valley Arts and Culture Centre to hold the library, museum and Visitor Centre in one location.
Talking with architects on what a new library would look like, Wright says they would need at least a 10,000 square foot building.