Temporary Overflow Shelter Beds Added At Peterborough Public Library As Homeless Crisis Grows

With the Tent City at Victoria Park (see pictures) growing in numbers—and this area in the midst of a heat wave and possibility of severe thunderstorms—the community is acting.

Youth Emergency Shelter, Brock Mission, Fourcast, United Way of Peterborough and District, and the City of Peterborough are partnering to temporarily open 15 overflow beds at Peterborough Public Library, plus another 15 overflow beds at the Youth Emergency Shelter.

Photo of Tent City by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada

COORDINATED APPROACH TO OVERFLOW BEDS

Peterborough Social Services is coordinating intake at the Peterborough Public Library when the overflow bed space opens at 9 p.m. each night. People will be directed to available space at a shelter—Brock Mission, Cameron House, or Youth Emergency Shelter—or to one of the overflow shelter beds at the Library or Youth Emergency Shelter.

People who use the overflow beds will be asked to be out of the space by 8 a.m. each morning.

The coordinated approach to providing overflow beds will also connect people with support services and housing programs. Housing first is the goal rather than having people live in shelters.

In the meantime, the City is working with community partners to secure a longer-term location for the provision of overflow beds.

Photo of Tent City by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada

Youth Emergency Shelter has been able to make the space for 15 overflow beds available for individuals of all ages, even though it normally only provides beds for youth and families. The shelter and housing providers have been able to move families into housing and other accommodations, which has opened up space for overflow beds as a temporary service.

Homeless people who are camping at the Tent City and elsewhere should go to the Library at 9 p.m. to speak with staff who will connect them with a shelter or overflow bed. The City is asking people not to camp in public spaces that are not meant for that type of use.

Photo of Tent City by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada

The overflow bed service was temporarily shut down on Canada Day when the service provider Warming Room’s lease expired for the former location on Murray Street. On the last night that the service was at the Warming Room, there were 29 people using overflow beds.

Warming Executive Director Christian Harvey told CBC Ontario Morning on Thursday (July 18th) that the Warming Room is still trying to secure a new location after getting a few leads for possible spots.

The City of Peterborough says that shelter bed availability can change each day. Last week, there were as many as about 25 beds available in the shelter system. On July 17th, there were six beds available at Cameron House for women, three beds available at Youth Emergency Shelter for youth, and no beds available at the Brock Mission for men.

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The Peterborough Library's New Bold, Modern Look

UPDATE (May 2nd): The Library has put up this sign to notify people of the move...

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ORIGINAL POST

The Peterborough Public Library is beginning a multiple stage process to transition to a radical new redesign of their building.

On April 30th, the main branch will close for renovations. During a two to three week transition, the entire collection of books will be moved to a temporary location in the lower level of Peterborough Square, which will open May 19th. Renovations will begin on the 30-year-old library branch to make it more modern, offer more user friendly spaces, and quiet areas to work.

The library has started up a special website to show you the transition called PPL Moves and it will include photos, news and more info as work gets underway.

Hours will remain the same at the temporary location at Peterborough Square, but there will be no after-hours book drop-off. Bring your parking voucher however to get it stamped for a free hour of parking in the underground garage of the Square.

Here are blueprints of what the inside of the renovated branch will look like...

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Upcoming 30 Craft Market Looking for Artisans

On September 13th, the 30 Craft Market will be taking place at the Peterborough Public Library. They are still looking for artisans and crafters that would like to be included in the event. A booth is only $10! Check the website for more details and contact information or you can call them at 705.760.3933.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Open House: Peterborough Public Library Feasibility Study

The Peterborough Public Library is hosting an open house on Monday, April 22nd. Drop in to the auditorium at the main branch at 7 p.m. to share your ideas about the library.

Lundholm Associate Architects has been conducting a feasibility study for the Library. Through a series of public meetings, roundtable focus groups and surveys they have gathered advice and recommendations from the community about the Library’s facilities, programs and services. From the information gathered, they have prepared a preliminary proposal for the community to review. Public comment from this open house will be considered for the final proposal and will help to ensure that Peterborough’s future library reflects the interests and aspirations of the community. 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Peterborough Public Library Celebrates 100 Years With Writing Contest "Telling Our Stories"

Peterborough Public Library, in celebration of their 100th Anniversary, is hosting a writing contest titled "Telling Our Stories." The deadline for submissions is September 23rd.  The focus of the entry must be based upon how the library has influenced, affected, or inspired you in some way. For those that may need help with their writers' block, there will be a workshop held on Monday, September 12th from 10 a.m. to noon.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Stuff to Do in Peterborough This Weekend

Friday

The Art of the Turtle, Peterborough Public Library, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tickets $20 for members/$30 for non-members.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels presented by The Peterborough Theatre Guild, Showplace Performance Centre, 8 p.m. Tickets $25/Adults, $22/Senior, $15 Student 

Saturday

Walk to Cure Huntington's Disease, Registration 9 a.m. at City Hall

Giant Indoor Yard Sale, Peterborough Armoury, (220 Murray Street) 9 a.m. -1 p.m. 

Red Pashmina Walk, starting from the Silver Bean Cafe, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Dancing with the Docs - Disco Fever, The Venue, 6:30 p.m. 

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels presented by The Peterborough Theatre Guild, Showplace Performance Centre, 8 p.m. Tickets $25/Adults, $22/Senior, $15 Student 

Sunday

2011 Walk of Hope, Beavermead Park, Registration 9:30 a.m. 

Humanwave, Showplace Performance Centre, 1 p.m. 

Sean McCann with Jeremy Fisher, Gordon Best Theatre, 7 p.m. Tickets $26 at Moondance

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Stuff to Do In Peterborough This Weekend!

Friday

Friends of the Library GIANT Book Sale at the Peterborough Public Library 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Kawartha Quiltmakers' Guild presents Feelings in Fabric Quilt Show, Evinrude Centre, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., $6

Camp Kawartha Environment Centre presents Nature, Culture & Resilient Communities, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Springkle - a celebration of all things artsy, crafty & tasty, 491 Cordach Crescent, 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

Saturday

Friends of the Library GIANT Book Sale at the Peterborough Public Library 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Kawartha Quiltmakers' Guild presents Feelings in Fabric Quilt Show, Evinrude Centre, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $6

14th Annual Earth Day Jackson Creek Clean Up, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Meet at the Monaghan Road entrance of Jackson Park

Springkle - a celebration of all things artsy, crafty & tasty, 491 Cordach Crescent, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Showplace Performance Centre presents Shine Dance Competition, ongoing throughout the day

Chapters presents author Bruce Gravel for a book signing, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 

Community Living Peterborough presents the 2nd Annual Spring Spectacular, Peterborough Square, 7 p .m. -11 p.m. Tickets $50

Folk Under the Clock presents Ron Sexsmith, Market Hall, 8 p.m. Tickets $35

Sunday

Peterborough Field Naturalists presents Spring Wildlife Walk, 8 a.m. Meet at the Zoo for location details

Millenium Park Clean Up 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Meet at the Boat House next to the Silver Bean Cafe

2011 Peterborough MS Walk, Opening Ceremonies begin at 9:45 a.m. at St. Peter's Secondary School

Kawartha Quiltmakers' Guild presents Feelings in Fabric Quilt Show, Evinrude Centre, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $6

Showplace Performance Centre presents Shine Dance Competition, ongoing throughout the day

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

World Water Day Event Includes Speech On "The History of Drinking Water In Peterborough"

On Tuesday (March 22nd), it's World Water Day 2011, and to mark this special day there is a free event at the Peterborough Public Library from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in their auditorium that includes a keynote speech on "The History of Drinking Water in Peterborough". Should be interesting.

 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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"I Love CBC" Rally This Thursday In The Patch

In light of MP Dean Del Mastro's recent comments, this Thursday (January 27th) at 11:30 a.m. there will be a press conference and rally in support of the CBC held at the entrance to the Peterborough Public Library.

For more information, visit here and/or follow @ilovecbcptbo on Twitter.

[ilovecbc's posterous]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Friends of the Peterborough Public Library Raises $18,500

Friends of the Library send out a big "Thank You" for the support of their book sale this past weekend. They raised $18,500 which will go towards new books, A/V materials, children's programs and other various items.

The Peterborough Public Library is located at 345 Alymer Street North. Visit their website for hours.

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