Help us write the story.

The Cochrane Public Library has outgrown its current building and is planning for the future! Your voice in every chapter will help us understand local needs and opportunities for local library services and community spaces that will shape Cochrane for decades to come.

The Cochrane Library has been the setting for countless personal and collective stories in our community. We want to understand how library services have been a part of different chapters of your life – a quiet refuge, a gathering place, a zone to discover new interests. How can this community space and it's services serve you and the community long into the future?

The first phase of engagement is now complete. Updates on the next steps will be available through Winter and Spring 2026.

What we learned from Phase 1

• A valued community hub: The Cochrane Public Library is widely seen as a safe,
  welcoming and trusted place that brings people together. Staff are consistently
  praised for their helpfulness and the library’s role in supporting lifelong learning,
  literacy and community connection is highly valued.
• Space limitations: Many residents described the library as a valued community hub, while recognizing that the current building is increasingly stretched to meet Cochrane’s needs. The collection could be broadened and there is limited space for quiet study, children’s play and larger programs. A lack of separation between areas can also lead to noise and congestion, making it difficult to fully support the range of activities and users the library serves.
• Balance of tradition and innovation: Books and reading remain central to how people view the library, but there is also strong interest in expanding programming, creative spaces, cultural activities and opportunities for social connection. Residents want the library to balance its traditional role with evolving community needs.
• Accessibility and location: Convenience is a key factor. Residents want a centrally located library that is easy to access by car, on foot, or by transit. Parking, walkability and accessibility for all ages and abilities are recurring themes.
• Community vision: Looking ahead, residents imagine a larger, flexible, multi-purpose facility that reflects Cochrane’s identity, supports people of all ages and offers space for learning, creativity and gathering. Many see the library as a cornerstone for building social connection and cultural vibrancy in a growing town.

CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

Your voice in every chapter - Help us write the story

The Cochrane Public Library and Town of Cochrane are conducting a facility needs assessment. This work will inform the design of a new multi-purpose library building where kids can explore, seniors can connect, and everyone in between can learn, share and grow.

Over the last 75 years, the Cochrane Public Library has served as a setting and supporting character in our community’s personal and collective stories. As we celebrate a milestone anniversary for our current building, we are also preparing for the future!

We are in the early stages of planning new community spaces for Cochrane, including a Public Library. Over the next year, Your Voice in Every Chapter will explore how community spaces, partnerships, and services can be brought together to meet the evolving needs of our community.

The results of this survey will inform the features, services and community spaces in your future multi-purpose library building. It will take about 7-10 minutes to complete and will be available until August 24, 2025. Your responses are confidential and will be used only for the purposes described above.