Bowmanville Library Renovations | Clarington Library, Museums & Archives

Latest Renovation News

Upcoming Community Engagement Meetings:

Bowmanville Library | Wednesday, June 3, 3:30-4:30pm | Drop in
Bowmanville Library | Monday, June 8, 5:30-6:30pm | Drop in

Shared Stories. Shared Spaces.

Clarington's Library and Museum are Uniting Under One Roof

Something exciting is happening at the Bowmanville Library, and we want our community to help shape it!

Clarington Library, Museums & Archives (CLMA) is planning a major renovation of the Bowmanville Library that will transform the space into a vibrant, modern community hub, blend library, museum, and archival services in one welcoming location, and make Clarington's history more visible and accessible than ever before.

This project is about more than a building. It’s about creating a welcoming, inclusive, space where people can connect, explore, learn and belong. A place that reflects how our community uses libraries today and how we will gather, create, and share stories in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s Included in the Renovation?

The renovated space is imagined featuring:

Museum Exhibits Throughout the Building
Discover Clarington’s history as you explore the library. Museum exhibits and heritage experiences will be integrated throughout the space, creating opportunities for discovery at every turn.
Children’s Heritage Play Village, ClaringTOWN
A dynamic, hands-on children’s area where kids can play, imagine, and learn about the history of the community they call home.
Community Meeting & Gathering Spaces
Flexible, welcoming spaces for local groups, organizations, students, entrepreneurs, workshops, events, programs, and community gatherings.
A New Community Café
Grab a coffee, enjoy a conversation, or take a break, without leaving the library. The café will operate as a social enterprise, supporting meaningful employment opportunities in our community.
Updated Study & Technology Spaces
Modern study areas, flexible seating, technology-equipped spaces designed to support learning, collaboration, and creativity.
Improved Accessibility & Wayfinding
A more inclusive and easy-to-navigate building, designed to support accessibility and comfort for all visitors.

What Will Happen to the Sarah Jane Williams Museum?

The Sarah Jane Williams Museum is not closing.

As a part of this transformation:

Archival materials and artifacts not on display at the library will continue to be safely stored;
Cultural programming and events will continue;
Researchers and visitors will still be able to access collections by appointment.

Together, the museum and library will create a stronger, more connected cultural experience for the community.

Will the Library Close During Renovation?

No full closures are currently planned.

CLMA is committed to keeping both the Bowmanville Library and the Sarah Jane Williams Museum open as much as possible throughout the renovation. If temporary service changes are required, we will share updates with the community in advance.

Where Are We in the Renovation Process?

We are currently in the community engagement phase. This means now is the perfect time to share your feedback and ideas! Community input will help shape key areas of the renovation, including:

Community and gathering spaces;
Children’s areas;
Programming priorities;
Accessibility features;
Meeting spaces;
Overall visitor experience.

Following this phase, the project will move into detailed design and construction planning. Construction is currently anticipated to begin later this year.

What Will Happen to the Waverley Place Museum?

The Waverley Place Museum is not affected by this renovation. Waverley Place will continue to be open for tours, programs, weddings, special events, photography and appointments.

For more information about the museum and its recent renovations, please see the Clarington Public Library Board Statement on the Waverley Place.

What About Research Requests?

There will be no change to the research request service; research will continue to be conducted by heritage services staff.

Get Involved & Have Your Say

This your space, and your voice matters.

Whether you’re a regular visitor, a program participant, a student, or someone who simply cares about community spaces, your feedback will help guide this transformation.

Complete the community engagement survey by Sunday, June 21. Share your ideas, priorities, and feedback in just a few minutes;
Help name the new café as part of the community engagement survey, and be entered to win 1 of 5 café gift cards and a CLMA mug;
Visit us in-person, stop by the library to view design concepts and provide feedback in person;
Follow project updates online and on social media:
Attend a community engagement survey session:
- Bowmanville Library | Wednesday, June 3, 3:30-4:30pm | Drop in
- Bowmanville Library | Monday, June 8, 5:30-6:30pm | Drop in
Visit us at community meetings and events.

Colouring Sheets

Even the littlest customers can get involved! Pick up a café colouring sheet the next time you visit the library, or download below!

Help Shape What Comes Next

Take the Community Engagement Survey!

Your input will directly influence the design, services, and experiences in the new space. Together, we can create a welcoming, inclusive, and inspiring place for everyone in our community.