FAQs

"Your voice in every chapter” is a public engagement campaign for the Cochrane Library Facility Needs Assessment and Future Planning project. This initiative will assess the community’s current and future needs for library services and other civic spaces, explore co-location and partnership opportunities, and evaluate potential sites for a new multi-purpose library and community facility.

Your voice in every chapter is a library facility needs assessment. This comprehensive study will help Cochrane understand its future needs for a range of community spaces and services. The project will also explore potential partnerships for shared spaces and assess location feasibility to ensure Cochrane’s future multi-purpose library building can adapt to the evolving needs of its residents.

Cochrane’s population has grown significantly, and the demand for library and community services has outpaced what the current library facility can offer. Additionally, recent planning initiatives have underscored the need for more flexible, inclusive, and multifunctional spaces to serve our evolving population. This assessment will provide a foundation for long-term investment in a future-ready civic space.

The Town of Cochrane and the Cochrane Public Library are working in partnership with FBM Architecture Ltd. and O2 Planning + Design—two firms with extensive experience in library design, community planning, and public engagement, including their recent work on Cochrane’s Municipal Development Plan (Envision Cochrane 2050).

The project commenced in May 2025 and is scheduled to conclude in July 2026. Key phases include assessing current needs (Summer/Fall 2025), identifying opportunities and preferred locations (Fall 2025), and refining design concepts (Spring/Summer 2026).

The full assessment, including planning, engagement, and concept development, is budgeted at approximately $130,000 to $150,000 over a two-year period (2025–2026).

No, the library building will remain open throughout the duration of the project. Some areas will be used to support the project from time to time. Any instances that may affect visitor experiences will be announced publicly in advance.

We are exploring potential partnerships with community groups, cultural organizations, educational institutions, health and social service agencies, and other organizations that could benefit from shared and co-located spaces in a future community hub.

The project will result in a comprehensive feasibility report that includes:

· A community-informed vision for future library services

· Assessment of space needs and partnership opportunities

· Preferred site locations and concept design options

· Capital cost estimates and potential funding strategies

· Recommendations for implementation and next steps

There will be two major rounds of public engagement:

Phase 1: Visioning (July–August 2025) – Focused on learning how residents use the library today and imagining what a future facility could be.

Phase 2: Design & Feedback (Spring 2026) – Residents will help refine potential concepts and ideas for the future facility.

Ways to participate include:

· Online surveys

· In-person pop-up events

· Self-guided installations at the Library and other locations

· Community workshops and focus groups