Picton Branch Library Expansion

The public library, the local gateway to knowledge, provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision-making and cultural development of the individual and social groups.
UNESCO public library manifesto

Lifelong learning · Cultural development · Access to information for everyone

These values are key to the work of the County of Prince Edward Public Library.

The Picton Branch Library is the busiest of the library’s six branches. The high demand for library services including meeting rooms, library programs for adults, children and youth, and materials has led to an over-crowded building in need of expansion and renovation. It is increasingly important that people feel safe and welcomed into a library building that is easily cleaned with enough space for everyone.

Love your library. Help us cross the fundraising finish line.

A Beautiful New Space

Double the current library space without impacting the historic features
More books to share with all branches
Bigger all-purpose rooms with comfortable seats, filled with natural light from the wall of windows
New space for readings, workshops and lectures
Leading-edge Makerspace / Digital Media lounge for innovators & entrepreneurs to learn with experts
Quiet space and small meeting rooms for patrons
Vertical garden, also known as a green wall, which cleans the air and acts as a sound barrier
Enlarged children’s area
Upgraded computer stations with technical help and hands on tutorials
Remodeled accessible entrance, new larger elevator
Family friendly and accessible washrooms

Why Libraries are the Most Important Place in Town

Community
You bet, libraries are pillars in the community. In an increasingly digital world, we see the role of libraries as community and cultural centers. And the library is changing and evolving to respond to the needs of a wide variety of patrons. In addition to connecting people to information, we connect people to people the old-fashioned way: book clubs, lectures, senior fitness classes, technology workshops, and too many other programs to list here. Your library regularly collaborates with other community agencies to develop programs and services that are relevant and complement the demographic shifts and growing diversity of our patrons.

Universal Access to Information
This access is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of democracy. We connect with our most vulnerable community members, providing information and service that can help improve their quality of life with programs like our residential book delivery for seniors, and our free music instrument lending program. All 6 branches of the PEC library work together seamlessly to share resources, programs and library collections. Increased capacity at the Picton library will benefit everyone in the County especially outreach and home delivery programs.

Heritage Buildings
The County is fortunate to have a gorgeous Carnegie building, which is rich in symbolism and meaning. The physical space of the library communicates to the public our underlying values: that libraries, information, and shared community space matter. And this 100+ year old gem of a building needs an update! More room to grow. Library spaces must now be more flexible and inviting, just one of the many reasons for the renovation/addition.

Innovation and Digital Literacy
The library’s role in the community includes digital literacy which is hugely important in multiple categories of learning/play. In addition to books, libraries now offer a vast array of basic and sophisticated technologies that would otherwise be unavailable to the community.

Learning That Never Stops
The library fosters life long learning and encourages creativity. It is a space for an exchange of ideas among different generations which strengthens a community. The library is a space for all ages to discover, connect and play which leads to a more resilient community and empowers individual growth. The library team works with educators to design custom children and youth programming that brings an array of children including young mothers and babies.

Libraries are more than simply collections of books, they truly are an accessible memory of the entire world. They are, too, an essential centre of culture and community for people of all ages, from all walks of life. I have been particularly impressed with the scope of programming at the Picton library and the helpful librarians always eager to assist. It means a great deal to me to be part of a community that supports its library system
Shani Mootoo, Author and Artist

You Can Participate

Make a lasting gift to your community by sponsoring a room or feature of the new library. Thank you to to the organizations and individuals who have already given.

$100,000 Multi purpose flex space
$50,000 Computer and Reading Lounge

$50,000 Children’s room
Thank you Valerie Hussey

$25,000 Youth & Programming Activity Area
Thank you to the Rainbow Club - Your LGBTQ+ friends and neighbours

$25,000 Maker & Digital Design Area
$25,000 Fiction Shelving and Furnishing
$25,000 Non Fiction Shelving and Furnishing

$25,000 Living Green Wall
Thank you Bev Skidmore

$20,500 Reading Room
Thank you Jones/Harrison Family

$20,000 2 x 10K for each Meeting Room
Thank you Munroe Family -One Meeting Room

$20,000 Soundproof Studio
Thank you The Commonwell LEAF fund

$22,000 Computer Lab
Thank you Halsall family

$20,000 Outdoor Sculpture Garden

$15,000 Front Hall and Stairwell
$10,000 Periodicals Room

$10,000 Community Info Board
Thank you Picton Rotary Club

$12,000 Study Cubicles x 4 3k each
Thank you The Commonwell LEAF fund - two cubicles

$7,500 Kitchen
Thank you Penny’s Pantry

$7,500 Babies and Toddler Soft Play and Reading Area
Thank you Marion Hughes

$7,500 Fireplace Restoration
Thank you Dr Kuldeep Sandhu and Dr Reenu Sandhu

$7,500 Outdoor Sign
Thank you Drake Devonshire

SUPPORTER $1,000 - $4,999

We greatly appreciate the vision and generosity of our donors without whom this historical and culturally important project, so critical to our community, would not become a reality.

Donors at the Supporter level will be celebrated in the following manner:

Donor Wall recognition
Recognition through monthly newsletter at the time of donation
Recognition through the Annual Report in the year of donation
Recognition on the library web site
Recognition through all social media sites at the time of donation, with prior consent
Charitable giving tax receipt

The fundraising team would be pleased to discuss the many ways that pledges or donations can be recognized through sponsorship or naming opportunities. Donations may also be made through monthly or multi-year giving, the donation of securities, bequests, endowments, tribute or memorial gifts.

PATRON $5,000 - $9,999

We greatly appreciate the vision and generosity of our donors without whom this historical and culturally important project, so critical to our community, would not become a reality.

Donors at the Patron level will be celebrated in the following manner:

Press Release with photo to all local media, with prior consent
Donor Wall recognition
Recognition through monthly newsletter at the time of donation
Recognition through the Annual Report in the year of donation
Recognition on the library web site
Recognition through all social media sites at the time of donation, with prior consent
Charitable giving tax receipt

BENEFACTOR $10,000 - $49,000

We greatly appreciate the vision and generosity of our donors without whom this historical and culturally important project, so critical to our community, would not become a reality.

Donors at the Benefactor level will be celebrated in the following manner:

Invitation to Ground Breaking and Ribbon Cutting ceremony
Press Release with photo to all local media, with prior consent
Donor Wall recognition
Recognition in monthly newsletter at the time of donation
Recognition in the Annual Report in the year of donation
Recognition on the library web site
Recognition through all social media sites, with prior consent Charitable giving tax receipt

MAJOR BENEFACTOR $50,000 PLUS

We greatly appreciate the vision and generosity of our donors without whom this historical and culturally important project, so critical to our community, would not become a reality.

Donors at the Major Benefactor level will be celebrated in the following manner:

Invitation for two attendees to a Special Event
Invitation to Ground Breaking and Ribbon Cutting ceremony
Press Release with photo to all local media, with prior consent
Donor Wall recognition
Recognition in monthly newsletter at the time of donation
Recognition in the Annual Report in the year of donation
Recognition on the library web site
Recognition through all social media sites, with prior consent Charitable giving tax receipt