Albany Public Library a “perfect fit” for City’s history collection
The City’s expansive history collection will soon return to the Albany Public Library, with pieces set to be displayed on a specially designed mezzanine floor.
The Albany History Collection was moved in 2017 to make way for the Albany Visitor Centre.
It has since taken up residence at the Albany Co-operative Society building and the Vancouver Arts Centre.
City of Albany local history coordinator Sue Lefroy said the library was the “perfect fit” for the precious collection.
“Tourists coming into Albany more often than not are seeking information associated with history and heritage,” she said.
“What makes it special is not only were we the first European settlement in the west, but we have information on Indigenous history, exploration journals, maritime history, environmental history, and that comes in many different forms.”
Construction is set to start this month on the new mezzanine space extending from the top floor of the library to house the collection, which includes photographs, oral histories, newspapers, books and film.
Albany Public Library team leader Soraya Majidi said she hoped to see the collection return before the end of the year.
“It’s going to be really light, bright and beautiful,” she said.
“It is back here in the library space, and for this whole precinct it’s going to become a really beautiful combination of arts, culture and heritage, all within walking distance.”
A new staircase will also be built to connect the library to the Alison Hartman Gardens, with a 24/7 study space created for students to access study resources outside of library open hours.
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