FAQs

Although the Gallagher Centre does host large events, the parking lot is at capacity only a few times per year. The majority of Gallagher Centre activity occurs in the evening and the vast majority of Library hours are daytime, with one day per week open until 9 p.m. in the winter and until 8 p.m. two times during the summer. Consideration will be given to establishing designated Library parking on the west side of the building.

Although the space at the Gallagher Centre is smaller, the majority of the program space can be accommodated within the relocated Library footprint, with other areas of the Gallagher Centre supporting Library programming. Of the 16,000 square feet in the current Library, 6,000 of those square feet are spaces that will be supported by other areas of the Gallagher Centre, including washrooms, building systems, storage and programming space. A program space has been included within the footprint of the Gallagher Centre Library location, as has a children’s programming space/quiet area.

The resources in the local history room at the current location will be included in the general resource circulation. A study room has been included in the design to allow a space for research related activities.

The current Library does not have a basement. Books and resources are owned by the Parkland Regional Library and shared amongst all Parkland Regional Library branches, including Yorkton Public Library. Any books in the Yorkton Public Library are on shelves, in the inter-library loan area, or in a hold location for patron pick-up behind the circulation desk.

There has been no discussion about reducing staff, hours of operation or programming and this is not the intent of the relocation.

Card Playing groups use the Library meeting rooms and space is available at the Gallagher Centre to continue this activity. There are currently a small number of groups/players that utilize the Gallagher Centre to play card games as well. Improvements to furniture and set up is being considered as part of this project. Space exists at other City facilities for some of these programs, that don’t specifically require use of the Library for their programs.

Although the Library will be located on the west side of the City, no matter where a facility is located, some people will need to drive or find transportation to that facility, but others will be able to walk to that facility. A bus stop will be added to the current route to provide an alternative to walking. The City does not have the resources to duplicate services in multiple neighbourhoods. People of all walks of life and demographics currently use or visit the Gallagher Centre.

The current community archives is stored in the basement of City Hall and has special handling requirements and are accessed by people conducting research. Locating the community archives in the Library provides one-stop shopping for those people, while allowing for effective oversight of the handling of these sensitive community documents, which once were stored at the Library.

The Gallagher Centre currently acts as a hub of activity for young people, families and seniors. People use the Gallagher Centre lobby and other areas for these informal gatherings. People are seen conducting interviews, meetings, coffee, cards or just scrolling on their phone. Seniors are the majority of users during the day as they attend for aqua-size, lane swimming, walking or curling and follow-up their activity with informal social time after they are done their activity of choice.

The 2^nd floor can be accessed by a centrally located elevator on the west side of the lobby and disembarks on the 2^nd floor just outside the Library location. A stairwell is also located in the middle of the lobby with direct access to the Library space. An exterior book drop is planned for this location for ease of returning resources.

Any donation received for the local history room 30 years ago would have been part of the Library before the 2004/05 renovation. Any recognition provided through the current local history room will be honoured in the new location.

The Sandra MacColl bequeath for the Community pARTners Gallery is managed by the Yorkton Arts Council with input from the Yorkton Public Library Board. Discussions have occurred with the Yorkton Arts Council on opportunities to continue Sandra’s legacy through various community opportunities, including the current Library and other community spaces.

The Access Water Park is located adjacent to the proposed Library space, however the Water Park has its own air handling system and the building envelope is sealed such that the Water Park operates as a completely different environment from the rest of the Gallagher Centre. Therefore humidity from the Water Park will not be a concern.

The Gallagher Centre provides free public WiFi throughout the facility and many people currently visit the Gallagher Centre to use the WiFi. This will continue to be the case so free WiFi is available at the Gallagher Centre.

The YTC Indigenous corner has been maintained in the design of the proposed location.

This was the first question asked when considering this move and an engineering firm was engaged, who indicated that the 2^nd floor will not require reinforcing based on the proposed design.

Although a comment was provided that Staff safety will always be a concern in a Library and that it is the world they work in, the employer of any employee is required to provide a safe working environment. Further, if staff safety is an issue, so is patron safety. The Gallagher Centre is better suited to respond to safety concern given the number of staff in the building at any given time.

The current Library has seen a significant amount of drug related activity, outside the building at the main entrance as well as inside the building on computers and drug use in the bathroom. Most recently a drug overdose in the bathroom required staff to respond and emergency services was required.

Although this can happen in any facility, this activity is a deterrent for most people to attend any facility or program. Although other measures could be used to help, added costs are associated to most of them or a restriction of access to free WiFi/computers for everyone.

It is believed that a move to the Gallagher Centre will provide a safer opportunity for staff and patrons alike while maintaining the access the public expects from its Library.

The Gallagher Centre is in the middle of a project that will improve barrier free access to the facility and become a dementia friendly facility. In 2021, the City conducted an accessibility audit of the Gallagher Centre (and other facilities) to improve the physical environment, aimed at becoming more age and dementia-friendly. Guided by research completed by the Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan (ASOS) and Age-Friendly Saskatchewan, the Gallagher Centre was assessed against a checklist of physical barriers that may prevent seniors and people living with disability from enjoying this facility and their desired lifestyle. 

City Council has approved funding to support identified barriers at building entrances. The addition of automatic door openers, along with other improvements, including signage, will ensure barrier free travel for people accessing the Gallagher Centre.

The Gallagher Centre has a partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority who has   provided a designated breastfeeding area with recliners and screening, in the lobby of the building. Although not a designated room, the area provides support for mothers who choose to breast feed while at the Gallagher Centre. Baby change tables are available in each public washroom, including the men’s washrooms.

Saskatchewan’s Provincial Public Library Sector Plan speaks to the provision of resources through the Regional Library system and does not speak to the direct operations of municipal public libraries. However, the City believes that it is meeting the identified priorities in the Provincial Public Library Sector Plan, and look forward to any provincial support that may come forward.

The City believes that:

• A reduction in size does not equate to a reduction in services or growth.
• The City has always included, and will continue to include technological changes as part of its ongoing support of Library services.
• The City has shown it is prepared to Build and develop library services and programs with Indigenous peoples in the spirit of reconciliation, by the recent installation and ongoing commitment for the YTC Indigenous section in the Library.
• The City supports the ongoing literacy development of Yorkton residents, as well as support those from outside Yorkton. This will continue regardless of the Library location.
• The City continues to work toward providing welcoming and accessible community spaces, as indicated in point 17 above, and through the relocation of the Library to the Gallagher Centre.

The defribulator located in the Library will be relocated to the Gallagher Centre. Although there are 2 already located within the building, this one will be located in the Library.

Washrooms are available to all people visiting the Gallagher Centre.

Storage requirements can be considered and solutions found to accommodate storage needs of users, as currently occurs in all public buildings.

Although everyone is welcome at the Library, there are other community resources that provide assistance to people in need. The City works to support all residents, but is not equipped and doesn’t have enough resources to be everything to everyone, but values partnerships with organizations that are equipped with the skills and expertise to provide the appropriate assistance. This will continue regardless of the Library location.

The Yorkton Terriers are a tenant in the Gallagher Centre and are responsible for any cleaning and maintenance of their property and the spaces they occupy. The City provides building system related maintenance. Since the Library is a City responsibility, the City will be responsible for all cleaning and maintenance of the Library space, the same as is currently done.

These improvements will be removed and installed in the new location.