Windsor Public Library's Central Branch will open in a new location Monday at the Paul Martin Building.
The location at 850 Ouellette Ave. is closed so staff can de-commission the building. It was sold to the Downtown Mission. The deal closes at the end of the month.
Staff have been moving books and materials to the new location over the last few weeks.
The Windsor Public Library will occupy two floors of the historic building seven blocks south on Ouellette. On the first floor, visitors will find books and other materials to borrow, while the administrative offices and auxiliary services will be on the second floor.
"The 185 Ouellette site is in a prime location close to bus and bicycle routes with plenty of parking available in the area," said CEO Kitty Pope, noting it is also closer to St. Clair College and the University of Windsor's downtown campuses. "Materials and resources not making the move to the new location have been distributed to other library branches."
Renovations to the 11,000 square foot space at the Paul Martin Building has cost about $1.77 million.
The location is temporary. In 2018, the Windsor Public Library Board approved the new Central Library Functional Plan, which began two years prior. The initiative for a new central library includes costing estimates, and a road map for the board and city council to follow as it moves forward on a new Central Library Branch downtown.
Previous occupants at the Paul Martin Building include Canada Post, the Canada Revenue Agency, and the Canada Border Services Agency.
