Taylor library seeks more programming space in former Medical Clinic building

TAYLOR, B.C. — Interest in the programming options offered at the Taylor Public Library is growing, and with it, the need for more space. 

Sherry Murphy from the public library board sent a letter to the District of Taylor with a proposal to use the unassigned space in the former Medical Clinic building.

One of the rooms in the building is already used by the library – for storage and the front reception area for weekly seniors’ activities – and in the proposal, the library would like to use the entire main floor of the building.

In her letter, Murphy outlined the library’s vision for the space, which includes using the larger back room as a multi-purpose space for youth and teen activities, parenting workshops, children’s ‘pro-D’ day activities, small group meetings, discussion groups and games evenings.

The smaller room could be used as a space for Taylor artisans to showcase their work and would be open to public viewing at the same time as regular programming is taking place in the building.

In the proposal, only the main floor of the building was mentioned as the Peace Crossing Historical Society is using the basement.

Interim deputy corporate officer Michael Whalley brought the report, which contained the library’s request, to Taylor council’s committee of the whole on April 22nd, recommending that the space be advertised through a ‘request for expression of interest.’

This would enable the district to measure the community’s desire to utilize the space before making a decision. 

Whalley’s report noted that in February 2024, Corporate Services put out a ‘request for expression of interest’ in the old medical building as a shared working space, and received submissions from Peace Crossing Historical Society, the Taylor Public Library and Taylor Community Service Centre.

While the Taylor Community Service Centre wasn’t able to move forward with its proposal, the library has seen success in the programs it is operating in the space.

“Senior management has had some conversations with regards to it, and the general consensus on this side of the fence is that maybe, as we did a year ago, go out for inputs and see if there’s anybody in the public that’s interested in utilizing the space before we discuss any further,” Whalley said. 

Councillor Desirae Graziano wondered if the building’s use could be aligned with the District of Taylor’s potential goal for the space: “Is it arts and culture? Is it a music lesson space? Something that kind of falls into the same category as the library so we could unify it somehow.”

She added that the idea of using it as a workspace with wi-fi is ideal, but maybe other options need to be looked at.

“The idea, I think, is to get somebody that’s going to pay to use it,” Mayor Brent Taillefer said. 

“I would like to see the ability to co-exist with what the library is doing in there, especially the senior’s programs. There’s a big value to the community for that.”

Corporate Services will bring it back for consideration on May 5th, Whalley said.