Support a New Central Library

You might notice some new ads about the Central Library project around Regina lately. We wanted to let you know just how important a new Central Library is for Regina!

There are more people than ever visiting Central Library – so much that it’s challenging to provide all of the services people want in our current building. Renewing Central Library is a necessary next step to meet this increased demand.

Explore the information below to learn more about the data behind the ads.

People from every neighbourhood in Regina visit Central Library.

RPL tracks the location of its customers based on postal codes. The circles on the map represent the volume of people in each area of the city who use their library card at Central. Library cards are used to borrow books and other materials, attend registered programs, use the Digital Media Studio, and more.

For every person who uses their library card at Central, there are about 10 more who discover, learn, and connect in other ways. We know this from our gate counts. Library cards are not required to attend drop-in programs or large events, explore the art gallery, watch a film, or simply enjoy the space.

Central Library has had more than 400,000 visits in the past 12 months. With a new building we expect this number to at least double.

For every dollar invested in a new Central Library, the benefits return will be $7.58. That’s value add for our community.

In the fall of 2022, the City’s Catalyst Committee explored five infrastructure projects – including Central Library – being proposed to City Council at relatively the same time. The Committee completed research to determine the strengths of each project, and in early 2023 released a report that made recommendations and a prioritized order for City Council to consider.

In their investigations and research, the Catalyst Committee determined that Regina residents will see a benefits return of $7.58 for every dollar invested in a new Central Library. In fact, the Committee estimated that the net benefits over 50 years would be $727 million.

• Read the Catalyst Committee report. Information on the methodologies begins in Section 5.2; p. 143 on the PDF and p. 124 in the document itself.
• Discover other Catalyst Committee documents, including the above report.

The committee also pointed out benefits that cannot be measured, such as a positive effect on child, adult literacy and computer literacy in our community. A new Central Library will provide opportunities to improve resident’s health, recreation, and connection to the community.

Our community deserves a modern Central Library to meet the community’s needs. Support Central Library, and you’re supporting a better future for Regina.