Our Library Today
The Stratford Public Library serves a population of 33,232 through a single downtown location. The current library is located on St. Andrew Street and is a Carnegie library which opened in 1903. Over the 123 years since its opening, the building has had two additions, one in 1926 and another in 1975. Over time, the City of Stratford has grown dramatically, and the way the community uses the library has evolved significantly as well.
In The News: Exciting Conversations For The Future!
In a recent conversation with The Stratford Beacon Herald reporter Bill Atwood, our CEO Krista Robinson shared some exciting insights about the future of the Stratford Public Library and the potential for an innovative space that will serve generations to come. Read the full article here!
Our Space is Inadequate
The current library building is currently 12,472 net square feet. Based on a 2022 Space Needs assessment by Lamay Architects, the Library needs a minimum of 35,000 square feet for today, and 44,000 square feet to meet the needs of the Stratford community over the next 20 years.
SPL is located on a landlocked site where expanded services and future growth is not possible. The multi-level layout of the library has led to inefficiencies in staffing and customer service, and provides significant accessibility challenges for users of all ages. Additionally, parking is extremely limited and cannot be expanded.
Library use continues to grow. Each day, the library sees on average 500 visitors through its doors, totaling 151,000 in 2025. Visitors borrow materials, use computers, attend programs, study, work, volunteer, and sometimes, just sit and read the newspaper - and often there are not enough seats to accommodate.
Our Vision for the Future
The Library Board and staff believe a larger, single location is essential for the Library's ability to continue to meet the current and future needs of the Stratford community. Our vision is to have a new library facility located at the Grand Trunk site, which is rightsized for the next 25 years of use.
By being located in a community facility alongside the YMCA of Three Rivers, there are opportunities to share space and services, and in turn, reducing our individual footprints and operational costs.
Some of the many benefits include:
- Adequate space to support current and future library services
- Opportunities for collaboration with community partners, including the YMCA
- Improved accessibility and downtown access
- Enhanced space for programming, learning, and community gathering (including 400% more seating!)
- Potential for shared facilities such as lobbies, washrooms and meeting spaces
- Opportunities for additional revenue through rentals or retail space
Read more on our vision of the Stratford Public Library at the Grand Trunk site might look like.
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- The current Stratford Library was built in 1903 for a population of 9,959. The population of the City of Stratford is expected to grow to over 44,000 by 2042.
- A new site with adequate space would allow for the expansion of inclusive and accessible library services for our growing community:
- Accessible technology and makerspace opportunities
- Flexible spaces for programs, events, and community gatherings
- Dedicated quiet study and work areas
- Enhanced children’s and youth spaces
- Opportunities for cultural and community programming
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Currently, our Library has 12,472 square feet. We are advocating for a new space that is 40,000 square feet. Most libraries are planned for the population they will serve in 20 to 30 years. Please see the 2022 Lamay Space Needs report to learn more.
A co-location model with the YMCA of Three Rivers, could allow for shared spaces such as lobbies, washroom facilities, as well as community spaces like meeting rooms that will reduce our footprint requirements by approximately 9,000 sqft.
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Previous studies (2003 and 2022) have found that expansion of the existing Carnegie building is not feasible. Structural limitations, including the 1975 addition not being adequately load-bearing, mean that vertical expansion is not possible. Books are heavy! They require book stack areas of buildings to be load-bearing at 15lbs per square foot. The site is also constrained, limiting horizontal expansion opportunities.
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Yes, a second library branch has been considered for the Stratford Public Library, but it is not being recommended at this time for a number of reasons:
- Staffing models are designed for a single central location
- A second site would significantly increase operational costs (staff, collections, technology, and maintenance)
- Existing accessibility and infrastructure challenges at the main site would remain unresolved
- Additional long-term municipal facility costs would be required
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The cost of a new library is difficult to accurately assess at this point due to the potential reuse of the Grand Trunk train shed, collaboration with partners such as the YMCA of Three Rivers, and an unknown ownership model at this time. But we do know that the average cost for a new library across Canada is $550 per square foot.
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The current library is relatively expensive to operate due to its multiple floor layout and entrance/exit design, requiring a higher number of staff.
Initial calculations show that despite an increase in space, staffing needs in a new efficiently designed Library will not increase. Additionally, with an aim of improving the environmental efficiency, as well as sharing facility staff and expenses with other partners, it is anticipated that facility operating costs will remain cost neutral if not decrease.
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In 2025, approximately 12,500 visitors come through the Library doors every month! And one third of Stratford residents are active library users.