The Way Forward
These challenges are not simply a matter of fixing individual problems. They are built into the building itself.
A renewed Central Library would create the accessible, flexible and welcoming space Regina needs for the future.
The Current Central Library
The hub that connects Regina.
Like many urban library systems, Regina Public Library operates through a hub-and-spoke model, with Central Library serving as the hub while branches (the spokes) serve neighbourhoods across the city.
There are several reasons for using this model:
- Cost savings through centralized services;
- Streamlined logistics for transporting materials;
- Shared expertise;
- Access to a deeper inventory of materials; and
- Centralized set up for largescale events and offerings.
Central is RPL’s largest location. It holds almost one-third of the system’s collection, accounts for about one-quarter of in-person visits and has the broadest open hours in the system.
Digital Media Studio
Main Children’s Library
RPL Film Theatre
Services Based at Central Library
- Accessibility Services
- Business Services
- Digital Media Studio
- Dunlop Art Gallery
- Main Children’s Library
- Featured guest speakers and other events
- Library Hotline
- Literacy Services, including English as an Additional Language
- RPL Film Theatre
- Third-party support services, including:
- Pro Bono Law
- Law Librarian
- Thrive Counselling
- Library administration is also primarily housed at Central Library.
The current building has its limits.
The current Central Library, like other libraries of its vintage, was built to provide quiet storage for physical books with closed rooms and fixed furniture.
The building provides less usable space than one might think when you walk through its doors. A significant portion is occupied by hallways, stairs, mechanical rooms, and other support areas, leaving less room for programs, services, collections, technology, and community use.
Many of the building’s limitations are built into its design. Continued repairs can address individual issues, but they cannot create the accessible, flexible, and welcoming Central Library Regina needs for the future.
The sections below highlight some of the building’s key challenges.
Accessibility
The building no longer meets current accessibility requirements under the Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Act and City of Regina policy. Addressing these gaps would require significant reconfiguration and would reduce already limited public space.
Some barriers remain because the building predates modern accessibility standards. Others are tied to the building’s layout and are difficult to address without major structural changes.
Environmental impact
Aging systems and outdated construction make the building inefficient to operate, requiring more energy to heat, cool, and maintain. The walls, roof, and other building systems are beyond their useful life, contributing to heat loss, moisture issues, and higher energy use.
Building assessments have identified issues such as inadequate insulation and roof deficiencies that reduce efficiency and increase emissions. These challenges are built into the building itself and cannot be fully resolved through ongoing repairs.
Safety and building condition
Safety concerns are tied to both the condition of the building and its design. Aging building systems increase the risk of unexpected failures and disruptions.
The layout includes blind corners, isolated areas, and spaces that are difficult to see from service points, making it harder for staff to monitor activity and respond to concerns. Activity is also concentrated in areas such as the entrance and lobby, creating pressure on spaces that were not designed for how the building is used today.
These challenges make it harder to maintain the safe, welcoming environment the community expects. They cannot be fully addressed within the current structure and reinforce the need for a facility designed to meet modern expectations for safety, accessibility, and public use.
