LET’S was excited to be invited to the Powell River Public Library to give a Disability Awareness workshop for staff and an accessibility tour of the library for staff and the public.
Unfortunately, the workshop and tour were scheduled on a day when there was so much snow that many in Powell River were staying indoors. Still, we had a small but enthusiastic group of disabled and non-disabled library patrons. We walked through the library and talked about what was and wasn’t accessible.
LET’S provided 2 accessibility tours of the library, the 1st focusing on patrons with disabilities and the 2nd tour focusing on neurodivergent patrons. Staff and the public attended. There was great conversation. Both staff and public had their awareness of disability and neurodivergent access expanded. We appreciate all those who took the time to participate.
The library location was opened in 2017. It is obvious that a lot of thought and consideration was put into the creation of the space. There were definitely suggestions that we made, and librarians took note of, that could be improved but overall the library was good in regards to accessibility.
The new space reflects the staff, volunteers, and other groups and individuals who helped make it a reality.
According to Burbank, the new location is much larger and more inviting than Powell River’s previous library. She said library staff design styles are reflected in the library’s comfortable furniture. ‘We’ve had a lot of control over the inside, like the carts, seats, tables, and even the service desk,’ said Burbank. ‘The old library was more like a warehouse for books. This library has diverse places for people to sit, read, and meet.’
As mentioned on the Powell River Library’s website, libraries have a long history in the Powell River area. In 1914, the Powell River Paper Company established a subscription library for its employees with 500 books rented quarterly from the Vancouver Public Library. Library service was later extended to all area residents. The first premises were a small school building. In 1927, the library moved to Dwight Hall, where in 1977, as a branch of the new Association, it celebrated its 50th Anniversary. In December 1956, the Powell River Public Library was incorporated, and in January 1957, the Powell River Paper Company turned the library over to the Municipality.