The Library Board and staff were extremely pleased with the press coverage of the public forum on the Georgetown Branch Project to be found in the July 11th edition of The Independent and Free Press. The summary of the expected improvements was excellent. We also appreciated the inclusion of a front elevation concept, and the preliminary site plan (although the shades of gray were hard to distinguish in the site plan). It was terrific to have the article appear on page 3, and to read additional positive comments on the editorial page.

However, there were a couple of errors that I wanted to take this opportunity to correct. The first error is to be found in the main article on page 3, which states: "the expansion will force the closure of the Cultural Centre, including the theatre and gallery, for at least a year, said Knox, as the budget will not realistically allow it to be open at the same time as the construction". In fact, it is not the budget which is necessitating the closure--it is the magnitude of the renovation and expansion work, and the need to protect the health and safety of patrons, and to safeguard collections, furnishings and equipment during the construction phase. Moreover, having the Library and Cultural Centre operate off-site will allow construction to proceed more efficiently.

The second error can be found on at the end of the page 3 article, which states, "Halton Hills council has scheduled a special meeting on Monday, Sept. 10 to approve the final design and cost estimates". The designs presented to Council will be the conceptual series, and not the final designs.

Finally, in the "Fast Facts" section, there is a reference to "the potential for an additional level of about 3,500 sq. ft.". No drawings showing a possible third level were shown at the public forum. The latest information from the architect suggests that we can accommodate a third level of approximately 2,100 sq. ft.

As per usual, we welcome any comments and feedback on this project. Feel free to respond via this blog.