BARRIE - The possibility of a third library location is getting outstanding reviews from residents in wards 6 and 7.

A story in the May 11 Advance prompted residents like Tara Cooper – who has two children aged two-and-a-half and one – to write about their longing for a place to take their kids to read a book or join in story time.

“I got very excited to read that there is thought of a third library location. What a brilliant idea,” said Cooper. “I want (my children) to get all the benefits of our local library, as I know they have great programs and the respect they have for books has already started out at a young age.

“However, I am also guilty of not wanting to venture into our existing library downtown because I am not always comfortable in that area.”

Both Ward 6 Coun. Michael Prowse and Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard say they’ve heard many stories like Cooper’s. And two weeks ago when an article outlined the possibilities either adding to the Holly Recreation Centre or finding a storefront location for a satellite library, more stories came out.

“The feedback from residents has simply been overwhelming. They love the idea and feel it is long overdue,” said Prowse.

“I think that in this day and age, we have to be creative and think outside the box when delivering services. Residents today want the necessities. They do not need the frills of an expensive new building if an existing space can be utilized.”

A meeting with a commercial landowner May 14 went well, said Brassard, who chairs the city’s Community Services Committee.

“The meeting was exploratory, but I would definitely say that it’s an option worthy of consideration. Bentall views the opportunity to partner with the city as a real benefit to this area,” he said of the owner of the Mapleton/Essa plaza.

Barrie is working on a second library branch, in the Big Bay Point/Yonge area. It’s to open next year.

Brassard, however, said finding a storefront could be cheaper and get the books on – and off the shelves – quicker.

“Providing library services to southwest Barrie is needed and to do it may mean moving away from what one resident called ‘stand-alone architectural tributes’ to a storefront model like other municipalities have done successfully,” he said.