Windsor library vacating parts of downtown building as search continues for permanent home

Some staff are being relocated from the Central Library in downtown Windsor, but there’s still no permanent home.

Windsor’s downtown library branch remains open to the public, even as operations begin to move out of the Paul Martin Sr. Building.

Ward 4 Coun. Mark McKenzie, who also chairs the Windsor Public Library board, says administrative staff have already relocated to a nearby office, vacating the building’s second floor.

“Administration has already left the building. They’ve moved to the old Motor City Credit Union building next to City Hall,” McKenzie said in an interview with CTV News. “So, the second floor has now been vacated.”

The move comes as the building’s owners move ahead with plans to convert the space into a hotel. McKenzie said access constraints — including the need to pass through the second floor to reach the third — made it more practical to relocate staff entirely.

Despite the change, McKenzie stressed library services at the central branch are continuing uninterrupted.

“The books are still there. Everything’s still open to the public. Everything that was open before is still open to the public now,” he stated.

The central branch has long been considered a temporary location but has remained in the Paul Martin building for years longer than originally expected.

City officials are now awaiting a response from the province on a potential new site for a permanent downtown library at the former Ontario Tourism building near City Hall.

McKenzie said the city has submitted an expression of interest, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.

“That’s always been the ideal site,” he said, noting it has been supported by past and current library boards, as well as Mayor Drew Dilkens.

For many residents, the uncertainty around a permanent location has been a lingering concern.

“I think that’s what the public wants — what is the actual plan here?” McKenzie said. “Where is the new Central Library going to be? When’s it going to open?”

He said he’s hopeful clearer answers could come within the next six to eight weeks.

“Once we have those answers, everyone will be able to breathe a little bit better,” McKenzie said.