First Impressions - Crouch Public Library

Background

The Crouch Branch Library is part of the London Public Library system.  It serves the communities of Hamilton and Crumlin and was opened in 1922. It underwent a rebuild in 2002 which is its current structure.  The library is named after Richard Edwin Crouch who was a former Chief Librarian of the London Public Library.

Services and Programs


Some of the library's services and programs include an Employment Resource Centre, preschool storytime, adult book clubs, Books for Every Child, art Wednesdays, computer courses, a knitting group and English conversation circles.  The library web site lists over 27 programs for the month of January alone!

The library has a number of community partnerships including Service Canada, London East Mental Health Services, Hamilton Road Community Association, Hutton House, Thames Valley Early Learning Program (TVNELP), Ontario Early Years Centre (OEYC)-London Fanshaw, Literacy London, Thames Secondary School and a number of elemetary schools in the area.

First Impressions


When you enter the library you immediately notice the bright signs that direct you to the various sections of the library as well as to the community groups who share space in the building.


My first vist to the library was on a Tuesday evening. My intial impression was that the library was a busy spot. There were a number of people using the library, in particular youth, mostly males, who were either reading, doing homework, using computers or talking in groups. Because of all the activity, there was a low level of noise, which appeared to be quite acceptable.
 
Physical Layout


The library covers 11,000 sqauare feet which includes the library space and public meeting space that is available for rent.The service desk is easy to view from the main door. As you walk through the library you pass the Emplyment Resource section which has a job board and computers. Towards the back of the libray is the children's section which has toys, books, and age approriate seating. 

In terms of physical accessibility, the library is on one level, has wide doorways and appears to be wheelchair accessible. There is plenty of lighting. Since this was a night visit I was unable to tell how much natural light the library gets but based on the number of windows, I am assuming it gets great light during the day. There is free parking available at the back of the building and the library is located on several major bus routes.

Opposite the children's section is a seating area in front of the windows, which has comfy chairs.  Additional seating is distributed throughout the library and includes tables and chairs and twenty or more computer work stations, including one in the children's section that has a colourful keyboard and is on child sized furniture.

The overall impression of this library is that it is more than just a place to find books. It appears to be very community oriented based on the fact it shares its space with several other community groups. The atmosphere is a social one, with patrons talking with library staff and each other. The young patrons were familar with the library staff and called them by name. Even though the library does not have a large amount of physical space and is on one level, it appears that planning went into how to best use the space. As a first time visitor to the library, it felt very welcoming, just how I like my public libraries!  It is will be interesting to see if my fist impressions are accurate ones as I learn more about this library.