Barrie Public Library’s story continues to unfold with approval of new branch

A former pub in the city's north end will soon be filled books instead of bottles.

A new chapter is beginning as the library is coming to a neighbourhood near you.

The Barrie Public Library has been given official approval by Barrie City Council to open up an additional library branch, making it the fourth in the city.

The approval is for a lease agreement on a space at 420 Leacock Drive, a former pub in a plaza, to serve the Letitia Heights community of Barrie. It will be a boutique branch at 4,800 square feet, similar to the most recent Holly Branch which is 4,500 square feet.

The library said it will be working with the City to map out the design and renovations in the coming months. But it said it has already started planning what kinds of programs it will run, and books and services it will offer in the new branch, including centering on youth services. The library said with the branch being near Lampman Lane Community Centre, it makes sense to offer a lot of youth programming and services.

CEO of the Barrie Public Library Lauren Jessop said libraries are more than books – they’re about belonging.

“This new boutique library branch will be a welcoming, accessible space where community members can learn, connect, and discover opportunities together,” Jessop said.

She also said the Letitia Heights area, which is northwest Barrie, known for having busy families, is an area that is currently underserved.

“Northwest Barrie is a bit of a service gap area for us so we’re trying to make sure the library is accessible to the largest number of people in the city as we can,” she said.

Jessop added that she has heard how excited residents in the area are to walk to the library.

Barrie Library Board Chair Austin Mitchell said the branch will make a positive contribution to the lives it will serve.

“It’s an investment in literacy, lifelong learning, and the long-term well-being of residents in northwest Barrie,” Mitchell said.

The library said it will offer opportunities for the community to contribute ideas on how the new branch can meet their needs.

Renovations are expected to start early spring of 2026, hoping to open the branch by the fall.

The Barrie Public Library system currently has three branches: the main downtown branch, Painswick, and most recently, Holly.