Stamford Centre Library in Niagara Falls nearing opening date

Tuesday, April 2, 9 a.m. That’s the answer to what any Niagara Falls Public Library staff member will probably tell you has turned out to be the most asked question of the past couple of years: “When is Stamford reopening?”

It’s a question we’ve often asked ourselves as pandemic labour disruptions and supply chain shortages delayed a renovation process underway since we closed for construction in December 2021; we had offered curbside pickup up to that point.

In the meantime, we’ve been serving the neighbourhood through pop-up service at the A.N. Myer Secondary School library, but now the books — along with board games, video games, outdoor equipment and many other fabulous things we have to offer — are back on the (brand new) shelves. Even as you read this, finishing touches are being applied, furniture arranged, boxes unpacked, computers configured, preparations made for the big day: Tuesday, April 2 at 9 a.m.

The fact that we’ve been asked about the reopening date as frequently as we have indicates to us the great love the Stamford Centre community feels for the branch. There’s a reason Stamford Centre library is located where it is, and why the decision was made to keep it close to where it always has been.

The reason is that the current location works. It works for the young families that stop by for story times. It works for the high school students who pop over during lunch. It works for the elementary school students who come by for class visits. It works for the retirees and other residents who drop in while they’re doing their weekly shopping.

Location is important. Nestled as it is in the heart of a neighbourhood that is both walkable and well served by transit, Stamford Centre library’s location is convenient and accessible. You couldn’t just plunk a library down anywhere — Gale Centre, for example — and expect it to work in quite the same way.

A library needs to be responsive to the needs of its community, and with the Stamford Centre renovation, Niagara Falls Public Library, with the help of its many generous donors, has sought to do just that. We have expanded the branch’s footprint to 8,250 square feet from 6,000 square feet (766 square metres from 557 square metres), making it more visible with a new storefront no longer tucked away behind TD Bank. It is fully accessible, more comfortable with new furniture and a modern design esthetic, and more useful for library activities and community events with the spacious MacBain Family Community Room.

Starting Tuesday, April 2, at 9 a.m., you can finally stop by and see it all for yourself. We look forward to welcoming you.