Masonville Branch Ward 2 - London Public Library

Masonville Branch30 North Centre Road N5X 3W1660-4646Ward 2 -Joni L. BaechlerRob J. AlderLondon North CentreJoe Fontana, MPDeb Matthews, MPP

Then and NowOpened on September 26, 1995 after 2 ½ years of planning. Input from the community was a priority inthe planning and building of the branch. The Building Committee comprised 7 community representatives,as well as 3 Library board members and 4 Library staff. Detailed submissions returned from thecommunity demonstrated the importance Masonville Branch would have in the lives of its communitymembers and underscored the idea that this branch library would be seen as a focal point in theneighbourhood. Fundraising campaigns were also launched in the community with an overwhelmingresponse. Over the years small changes have been made - the Information desk has been movedcloser to the Circulation desk - but the branch remains basically unchanged since opening day.Library AmenitiesFully accessible13,200 sq. ft (owned)Community meeting rooms available for rent:Sifton Room 944 sq. ft. (seats 80)Sam Neill Meeting Room: 378 sq. ft (seats 30)North London Community Meeting Room: 187 sq. ft. (seats 10)Library staff who serve the Masonville community...1 Branch Librarian1 Children’s Librarian3 Full-time Library Assistants4 Part-time Library Assistants10 PagesVolunteers:Gardening (17)Technology Tutors (7)Children’s Program Assistant (1)Survey week (varies)Special events (15)Other community resourcesin the neighbourhoodUnique area: no community centre, no arenaEight elementary schoolsOne private schoolOne secondary schoolPeopleare saying...“I think that is wonderful that Iget such marvelous servicefrom all the staff atMasonville.”

The Library counts...2002 2003 2004, 1st QuarterAttendance 221,460 216,011 48,445Circulation 325,209 333,153 83,643Program sessions 663 716 214Program attendance 11,448 13,866 2,273Internet Bookings 35,112 22,828 5,902Key Library programs offeredReading programs for children: Books for Babies; Tales for Tots; Preschool (ages 3-5)Systemwide Summer Reading Program for childrenAdult education: T’ai Chi, Watercolour Painting, Gardening, Qi Gong, Self-hypnosisParenting courses and workshops, co-sponsored with community partnersSpecial events: all candidates meetings, etc.Community PartnershipsMiddlesex London Health UnitLondon Children’s ConnectionOntario Early Years CentreInvesting in ChildrenFamilies FirstHutton HouseCanadian Blood Services - Donor ClinicMasonville Residents AssociationSparks and Brownie groupsCommunity OutreachMasonville Public School CouncilVisits to schools and daycaresLibrary news in monthly school newslettersPeopleare saying...“The public computers are a wonderfulservice. The staff and volunteers arevery obliging and helpful. I won’t evenconsider buying a computer, becauseI like coming here so much.”