After the closure of the Michael Donovan Public Library at the Waterford Valley Mall in St. John’s, efforts to find a new location have faced challenges. Despite the provincial government issuing a tender for a new spot, no submissions were received.
Josh Smee, vice-chair of Friends of the St. John’s Public Library, expressed frustration over the lack of progress, highlighting the community’s need for a library. He emphasized the popularity of the former library and the desire to expedite the relocation process.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure mentioned plans to keep the library in the west end of St. John’s. Smee urged potential landlords to engage with the process, emphasizing the significance of the library to the community.
Notably, library patron Juanette Anthony shared her disappointment over the library’s closure, particularly missing its computer access. She advocated for reopening the library in a larger space with enhanced resources.
The future of the Michael Donovan Public Library remains uncertain, but stakeholders are hopeful that a revised tender will attract suitable hosts and expedite the reopening process to meet the community’s needs.