Pickering Public Library is the

library A library is a collection of Book, books, and possibly other Document, materials and Media (communication), media, that is accessible for use by its members and members of allied institutions. Libraries provide physical (hard copies) or electron ...

system of

Pickering, Ontario Pickering (2021 Canadian census, 2021 population 99,186) is a city located in Southern Ontario, Canada, immediately east of Toronto in Durham Region, Ontario, Durham Region. Beginning in the 1770s, the area was settled by primarily British colon ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

. The library was operational in separate branches since 1841, but officially launched as the Main Library in 1990 at the ''Central Branch''. There are also the ''George Ashe (formerly Petticoat Creek)'' and ''Claremont'' branches which remain part of the Pickering Public Library.

History

The Pickering Public Library officially opened its doors on May 22, 1990, which is the Central Branch, after two years of construction in response to the Town of Pickering's growing needs. Prior to opening, there were various library branches including Greenwood, Claremont, Whitevale, Bay Ridges, Rouge Hill, Brougham, which was the first branch opened in 1841, and the formerly named Liverpool Branch until the official opening of the Central Branch. The former three branches remain open to this day. The Petticoat Creek Library branch opened their doors on June 14, 2001 and was officially renamed to the George Ashe Library on September 15, 2017. In 2020, the library estimates to have 515,000 visitors, upwards of 60 permanent employees, almost 1 million items available to borrow, and almost 1.7 million uses of the public computers annually.

Services

Collections

The library's collection count is almost 1 million items.

Assistive Services

The library offers services to patrons and Pickering residents with special needs. This includes a library delivery service for those who cannot visit the library due to disabilities, and a sign language interpretation service.

Technology

The Pickering Public Library technology services include public access computers and free wireless internet access across all three branches. The Library provides access to

e-books An ebook (short for electronic book), also spelled as e-book or eBook, is a book publication made available in electronic form, consisting of text, images, or both, readable on the flat-panel display of computers or other electronic devices. A ...

, movies, music, and other electronic items. Each branch has a black-and-white printer where patrons can print for 10 cents a page. All branches also have a photocopier. The Pickering Public Library website allows users to reserve items and transfer items to their preferred branch. The library also produces live readings of children's stories on

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, and a

podcast A podcast is a Radio program, program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. Typically, a podcast is an Episode, episodic series of digital audio Computer file, files that users can download to a personal device or str ...

for children called "Wee Listen". The Central Branch of the Pickering Public Library houses a Maker Space, where patrons can reserve technological equipment and a workstation to with and utilize for developing new technologies.

Digital Content

Pickering Public Library cardholders can access multiple online databases through the library's website. These include databases of

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, the

Toronto Star The ''Toronto Star'' is a Canadian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper. It is owned by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary of Torstar Corporation and part of Torstar's Daily News Brands (Torstar), Daily News Brands division. ...

's historical newspapers, and Merck Manuals. The library offers audiobook, e-book, and eMagazine services, including cloudLibrary, Flipster, hoopla, Libby by OverDrive, and Tumblebooks, available from the library's website.

Future

There is a proposed Library Expansion for the Central Branch, due to increased usage and need. The expansion, dubbed the "City Centre Library", is projected to cost $21 million, while offering additional services such as financial learning assistance. The expansion would result in the Central Branch Library being attached to the Pickering Town Centre. Further, more items are planned to be available for loans, such as additional GoPro cameras and musical instruments.

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Pickering Public Library Website
{{Authority control Public libraries in Ontario Buildings and structures in the Regional Municipality of Durham Pickering, Ontario Education in the Regional Municipality of Durham Libraries established in 1990 1990 establishments in Canada