Progress Updates on New Location for the Library

Renovations to convert a currently vacant space into a dynamic location for the library have begun at the Liverpool Business Development Centre on Harley Umphrey Drive, Liverpool. We will be posting updates every so often as work progresses. The work is aiming to be complete by the end of December, 2024 and the library opening in the new location early in the New Year, by mid-late January.

February 7, 2025: With the opening of the library getting ever closer, there are a few more photos to share. Opening details will be posted on the South Shore Public Libraries website or Facebook page once all is in place for them to open in the newly renovated space. We will share the details that they provide here on the website as well as on Region of Queens Municipality’s Facebook page, to help spread the word.

This morning, the library sign was put in place near the entrance.

This shelf contains some of the many books on hold for library users. Until the library opens, those who have received an email from SamePage that there is a hold ready for you to pick up at the Thomas H. Raddall Library. Pick-up times at the new location at 54 Harley Umphrey drive are on Friday, Feb. 7 from 10am – 4pm, Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10am – 4 pm, or Sunday, Feb. 9 from 12 noon – 3pm.

This service is for picking up items on reserve only, there is no browsing at this time. Once you are at the library, proceed to the checkout desk and ask for your hold. Bring your returns to the book drop or keep them until the library reopens.

January 21, 2025: The renovations and set up of the library are nearing completion, and it is exciting that it will soon be open. Pending internet connection and approval of occupancy permits, the library is expected to be open by the end of January. Please check back for more updates, or refer to the South Shore Public Libraries website or Facebook page, as they will be providing information on the opening date as well.

For comfort and ease of use, there are adjustable height computer stations.

If you enjoy library programs, you will be using these spaces often – this is a view of double programming rooms.

Acoustic tiles make a fun and useful design feature as well as reducing noise … play a game of chess!

This is a privacy pod – a space that can be used when library users need a quiet place for an online meeting, or perhaps a job interview or online appointment, or anything else that requires a bit of privacy.

The small meeting room is ideal for small groups to have a meeting or for a few people to collaborate.

There’s comfy chairs for reading located near the stack, and you can see the children’s space located in the background. There’s another opportunity to make needed acoustic tile a fun and useful design element with a game of tic tac toe!

Not only is the children’s programming area bright, colourful and cozy, it also has a cheery wall mural!

The program room for cooking and messy programs has been complete. It is a large bright area with lots of natural light.

A new emergency exit has been made.

January 6, 2025: Progress continues as the items from the former location of the library are moved into their new location, and new furnishings arrive and are place. This week, some final items are being worked on, including ductwork for the HVAC system, sprinklers, electricity to front desk, hanging wall sconces and exit lights, plumbing hook-ups, and cuts through exterior concrete walls for the new fire exit, book return and stove vent.

The kids area is being set up, and will be receiving more fun items!

Modular walls have been delivered and are being installed this week.

The folding wall that divides the program areas is installed on a new beam to carry its weight of over 2,000 pounds.

Who doesn’t love a comfy chair to curl up and read, or to chat with friends? The green and blue lounge chairs in the photo will be located to walls when the taller ‘lounge circle’ chairs arrive.

Stacking program chairs have arrived (and if you look carefully, you will see some new art work and other work/task chairs in background).

December 17, 2024: Today is the beginning of Moving Week!  Furnishings and books have been moved into the newly renovated library space.  Shelving the books will begin soon.

December 13, 2024: Work is advancing well, and soon books and other items will begin moving into the new location. Renovations are well underway, and the space is looking “move in ready”.

The existing door is being replaced by a wider, power operated door.

The new folding acoustic wall hangs from a new beam and will divide the two large program rooms. 

A new large fridge, stove and range hood have arrived in the new ‘messy & cooking’  program room.

The main area has received all new LED ceiling lights, has been cleared and carpet cleaned, READY TO RECEIVE all the shelving and boxes of books next week!


December 4, 2024: Work is progressing, and spaces are much more defined with some walls in. Kitchen Cabinetry arrived and is installed in the ‘messy program’ space (for Slime Time and Bread Club!). A bank of powder rooms are being completed  including a children’s and a universal washroom.

Some furniture has arrived such as these comfy chairs!

The internal entry vestibule has been created with a window for visibility to and from the main space.

Doors have been hung – some with fire-rated glass, some with user indicators. Fire safe glass has been installed and privacy film in some cases. 

The door to the washrooms is now in place, beyond which is a bank of several washrooms.

Commercial grade, non-slip flooring has been laid in the washrooms, storage, entry and messy/cooking program room. Also shown are new outlets.

Cabinetry has been assembled and is being installed in the programming spaces.

October 18, 2024: The walls are going up! This includes existing walls to the roof for a full fire break between occupancies. Electricals are being wired & plumbing fixtures are being plumbed. The modular walls and privacy booth have been ordered.  Art work is being being developed with local artists.


October 10, 2024: Click here for a pdf of the blueprint of the layout for the renovated space.

October 3, 2024: The exterior of the building got a good scrubbing and a ramped sidewalk with tactile indicators at a drop off zone. The new, wider power-operated entry door has been ordered and a canopy has been engineered. Accessible parking spaces will be allocated in the parking lot, near the library entrance.

The new washroom and storage area has had new plumbing and dividing walls installed. There will be 5 individual powder rooms, one with a child’s toilet, plus a large Universal Washroom.