The new public library being constructed as part of Abbotsford Senior Secondary School has a name.
On Canada Day, Mayor Bruce Banman announced that the building will be known as the Abbotsford Community Library.
The name was chosen as part of a contest.
“We are extremely excited to announce that Dwight Brown is the winner of the library naming contest,” said Banman. “Over 400 entries were received throughout the contest and there were many unique and creative suggestions from our residents. We feel that the winning name is the right fit for the new library.”
Brown has been an Abbotsford resident for eight years. Currently a semi-retired pastor at Connect Church, he has travelled all across Western Canada in his work and said that “libraries were always important to us.” He felt that a simple clear name was best and that the name Abbotsford Community Library communicated the idea that the library would be open to everyone.
Construction began in November 2010 for the new joint community and school library, along with the upgrades to the 51-year-old secondary school, Abbotsford Collegiate, now re-named Abbotsford Senior Secondary.
In November 2012, the MSA Centennial Library will close its doors and the staff and collections will move to the new 11,000-square-foot library located at 33355 Bevan Ave.
The new library will include a larger collection, more seating space, defined children’s and teens’ areas, wheelchair accessibility, and Sunday open hours.