The long journey which resulted in Picton’s first library began in 1890 when a library committee was struck, authorized to spend $100.00 on books in a building called the Mechanics Institute. In 1902, a bylaw was passed changing the Mechanic’s Institute into a Free Public Library. After a successful fundraising campaign the small but ambitious library committee was thrilled to receive a grant from American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to help build a local library. The $10,000 Carnegie grant required the 3,698 residents of Picton to come together in support of a once-in-a-lifetime construction project. In December 1907, the Picton library opened its beautiful oak doors.

Once again residents and friends in the County have come together to support a new chapter in the long rich history of the library. This new chapter includes both a renovation and addition which means a remarkable transformation for the original Picton library which will have a substantial impact on all its branches. Listed below are highlights of the additions and renovations planned for the library.

Go online to: loveyourlibrary.ca to see colour photos, drawings and more details.

• Double the current library space without impacting the historic features
• More books/dvds/cds etc to share with all branches
• Bigger all-purpose rooms with comfortable seats, filled with natural light from the oversized wall of windows
• New space for readings, workshops and lectures
• Leading-edge Makerspace / Digital Media lounge for young innovators & entrepreneurs to learn with experts
• More quiet space and small meeting rooms for patrons
• Vertical garden also known as a green wall which cleans the air and acts as a sound barrier
• Enlarged children’s area
• More books/toys/story telling space for children and parents
• Upgraded computer stations with technical help and hands on tutorials
• Remodeled accessible entrance, new larger elevator, spacious family friendly washrooms

• In 2018 your library offered over 1,100 programs ranging from drumming circles to musical instrument library loaning which augmented the school music programs for students in elementary grades
• You can access the Mango Language learning software, free with your library card. Choose from 70 language courses including Icelandic or Shakespearean English!
• Makerspace activities in 2018 included making bat houses, robotics classes, 3D printing camp, vinyl cutting workshops and VHS tapes & audio cassette digitization
• You can access the Ancestry Library Edition, an online genealogy resource that delivers billions of records in census data, vital records, directories, photos, and more. There were 182,792 items borrowed in one year (2018). 18,000 people attended programs in 2018
• 8,669 children enjoyed a wide range of activities including mud painting, ukulele camp, and recycled art
• Most unusual program: Nature Conservancy: kids get backpacks filled with nature books and parents get free parking pass for Quinte Conservation parks and sites
• You can borrow a WiFi device for 7 days. Take the internet with you, camping or on a road trip anywhere in Canada

Community

You bet, libraries are pillars in the community. In an increasingly digital world, we see the role of libraries as community and cultural centers. And the library is changing and evolving to respond to the needs of a wide variety of patrons. In addition to connecting people to information, we connect people to people the old-fashioned way: book clubs, lectures, senior fitness classes, technology workshops, and too many other programs to list here. Your library regularly collaborates with other community agencies to develop programs and services that are relevant and complement the demographic shifts and growing diversity of our patrons.

Learning That Never Stops

The library fosters life long learning and encourages creativity. It is a space for an exchange of ideas among different generations which strengthens a community. The library is a space for all ages to discover, connect and play which leads to a more resilient community and empowers individual growth. The library team works with educators to design custom children and youth programming that brings an array of children including young mothers and babies.

Universal Access to Information

This access is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of democracy. We connect with our most vulnerable community members, providing information and service that can help improve their quality of life with programs like our residential book delivery for seniors, and our free music instrument lending program. All 6 branches of the PEC library work together seamlessly to share resources, programs and library collections. Increased capacity at the Picton library will benefit everyone in the County especially outreach and home delivery programs.

Library Buildings That Are Culturally Relevant

The County is fortunate to own a gorgeous old Carnegie building, which is rich in symbolism and meaning. The physical space of the library communicates to the public our underlying values: that libraries, information, and shared community space matter. And this 100+ year old gem of a building needs an update! More room to grow. Library spaces must now be more flexible and inviting, just one of the many reasons for the renovation/addition.

The library’s role in the community includes digital literacy which is hugely important in multiple categories of learning/play. In addition to books, libraries now offer a vast array of basic and sophisticated technologies that would otherwise be unavailable to the community.

Programs range from introduction to coding, robotics classes, digital design and video editing stations, equipment to create your own podcast, 3D printers and more.

The Picton library is in its final crucial phase of fundraising. Here is the story so far:

• Donations and Grants: $1,457,000
• Community Development Fund: $538,000
• Council commitment: $320,000

The total cost of the project including architect, consultants, fees, permits, construction, fixtures and furnishing for the expansion is $2,800,000. With the help of the generous residents of Prince Edward County a whopping $2,315,000. has been raised as of March 31, 2021. Here is where you come in. The library needs to raise $485,000.00. to complete its fundraising goal. This capital campaign is a one-time ask. With every dollar raised going directly to the project. We urge residents and friends to invest in our community’s future, so the library can serve Prince Edward County for the next 100 years.

Listed below are the many unique sponsorship opportunities for new sections and features in the library. A detailed breakdown of each specific feature is available on request. Floorplans and visuals are available at: loveyourlibrary.ca.

The fund-raising team would be pleased to discuss the many ways that pledges or donations can be made, through monthly or annual giving, the donation of securities, bequests, endowments, tribute or memorial gifts. One of the many ways donors will be acknowledged is on our Donor Wall with plaques which will be featured in the library based on levels of giving listed below. (See individual pages for details on benefits of each donation level.) There are many easy options for donating funds: mailing or dropping off a cheque to any one of the 6 library branches, e-transfers or through the on-line donation site: www.canadahelps.org.

• Friend $100 - $999
• Supporter $1,000 - $4,999
• Patron $5,000 - $9,999
• Benefactor $10,000 - $49,999
• Major Benefactor $50,000 and above

We greatly appreciate the vision and generosity of our donors without whom this historical and culturally important project, so critical to our community, would not become a reality.

Donors at the Supporter level will be celebrated in the following manner:

1. Donor Wall recognition
2. Recognition through monthly newsletter at the time of donation
3. Recognition through the Annual Report in the year of donation
4. Recognition on the library web site
5. Recognition through all social media sites at the time of donation, with prior consent
6. Charitable giving tax receipt

The fundraising team would be pleased to discuss the many ways that pledges or donations can be recognized through sponsorship or naming opportunities. Donations may also be made through monthly or multi-year giving, the donation of securities, bequests, endowments, tribute or memorial gifts.

We greatly appreciate the vision and generosity of our donors without whom this historical and culturally important project, so critical to our community, would not become a reality.

Donors at the Patron level will be celebrated in the following manner:

1. Press Release with photo to all local media, with prior consent
2. Donor Wall recognition
3. Recognition through monthly newsletter at the time of donation
4. Recognition through the Annual Report in the year of donation
5. Recognition on the library web site
6. Recognition through all social media sites at the time of donation, with prior consent
7. Charitable giving tax receipt

The fundraising team would be pleased to discuss the many ways that pledges or donations can be recognized through sponsorship or naming opportunities. Donations may also be made through monthly or multi-year giving, the donation of securities, bequests, endowments, tribute or memorial gifts.

We greatly appreciate the vision and generosity of our donors without whom this historical and culturally important project, so critical to our community, would not become a reality.

Donors at the Benefactor level will be celebrated in the following manner:

1. Invitation to Ground Breaking and Ribbon Cutting ceremony
2. Press Release with photo to all local media, with prior consent
3. Donor Wall recognition
4. Recognition in monthly newsletter at the time of donation
5. Recognition in the Annual Report in the year of donation
6. Recognition on the library web site
7. Recognition through all social media sites, with prior consent Charitable giving tax receipt

The fundraising team would be pleased to discuss the many ways that pledges or donations can be recognized through sponsorship or naming opportunities. Donations may also be made through monthly or multi-year giving, the donation of securities, bequests, endowments, tribute or memorial gifts.

We greatly appreciate the vision and generosity of our donors without whom this historical and culturally important project, so critical to our community, would not become a reality.

Donors at the Major Benefactor level will be celebrated in the following manner:

1. Invitation for two attendees to a Special Event
2. Invitation to Ground Breaking and Ribbon Cutting ceremony
3. Press Release with photo to all local media, with prior consent
4. Donor Wall recognition
5. Recognition in monthly newsletter at the time of donation
6. Recognition in the Annual Report in the year of donation
7. Recognition on the library web site
8. Recognition through all social media sites, with prior consent Charitable giving tax receipt

The fundraising team would be pleased to discuss the many ways that pledges or donations can be recognized through sponsorship or naming opportunities. Donations may also be made through monthly or multi-year giving, the donation of securities, bequests, endowments, tribute or memorial gifts.