The Oakville Public Library Board met to review updated conceptual designs for the new Central Library project, which staff said has restarted after council direction in February 2026. The board also discussed early operational and capacity pressures at the new 60 Mile branch, and reviewed a $300,000 personnel surplus tied to delayed hiring at the 16 Mile branch. Staff said work is also underway on a new strategic plan that the board expects to approve in November.

Topics Discussed

New Central Library Conceptual Designs

Staff and Perkins and Will presented second-round conceptual designs for the new Central Library at 16 Mile Creek and described the project’s restart following council’s February direction. Staff told the board: “We are very grateful for the direction provided by council in February. I think the day after we got that we started to regroup with Perkins and Will. We kind of went from zero to 100.”

The design concept frames the site as a gathering place at a bend in the creek. Presenters said, “Where the new branch sits is actually a bend in 16 Mile Creek,” adding that bends were historically places “where people kind of gather and deliver news.”

The board heard the building is planned as a three-storey facility with multiple community-focused spaces, including a children’s area and a dedicated teen space. Staff described the basement layout as focusing activation in specific zones: “We have kind of highlighted areas that is usable for us… 9 3 4 1 and 7 is is where we're looking to activate. And that's actually a teen space… to provide them with their own little maker space, their own study rooms, their own collection down there, and it would be dedicated for teens.” Staff also flagged limitations in the current facility, saying: “Our current auditorium for those have you been in it is less than desirable and is actually really quite limiting for us.”

Indigenous Consultation and Community Spaces

Staff summarized feedback from Indigenous consultation, including requests for spaces that support gathering and food preparation. Staff told the board: “The indigenous asked for spaces where they could actually cook. That isn't something that really fits with us.” They added that a community kitchen exists at Queen Elizabeth Park and said partners are exploring a dedicated Indigenous space there: “There is a community kitchen at QEP, and they are looking at building, working with the Oakville Community Foundation on a dedicated indigenous space at QEP.”

Café Discussion and Downtown Business Outreach

The proposed café space in the new library prompted discussion about how it might relate to existing downtown cafés and how the library would manage vendor relationships. One speaker raised the question directly: “Are we taking away from the existing cafes in the downtown core? And so I think those are just relationships and conversations that that we need to manage.”

Another participant was more skeptical about downtown operators’ interest, saying: “I'll be honest with a lot of the cafes downtown probably won't touch it with a 10-ft pole. Um and I know the reason why there's not enough turnover for them.”

Q1 Financial Surplus and Budget Status

The board discussed a reported $300,000 surplus in personnel costs connected to delayed hiring at the 16 Mile branch. Staff clarified the surplus would not reverse retroactively once hiring occurs: “It's not going to come back as you hire those people. It's going to start from that point on.” Staff indicated decisions on reallocating funds would be made later in the year.

60 Mile Branch Opening Success and Capacity Concerns

Staff reported strong early attendance at the new 60 Mile branch and described crowding during peak periods. One speaker said: “At the max there was 130 people in that space at one time. Um, and it was hard to find a seat and and that's what people are telling me is that they go in and it's full.” The board discussed monitoring whether the high occupancy continues as services ramp up.

Motions

• Motion to receive the report on the Church Street development project — Carried unanimously

Attendees

The transcript did not include a formal attendance list. Board members mentioned included: - Rebecca
- Rob
- Bill
- Meredith
- Tara (staff)

The CEO and representatives from Perkins and Will also attended.