The Ottawa Public Library Board on Tuesday voted to launch its project to find a site for a new downtown library, and job one will be to set the criteria for finding that site.

The board has stated it welcomes public input on that criteria, but delegates lining up to speak to the board had questions about how much say the public will have over actually choosing the site.

Emilie Taman, a representative of the group Bookmark the Core, says it would be disappointing if the Ottawa Public Library Board doesn't listen to the public about the location of the new central library. (CBC News)

A spokesperson with Bookmark the Core, a citizen group advocating for more consultation, said public input may be limited.

"Will we actually weigh in on the proposed locations before a final decision is made? And my takeaway from this is that we may not, and that would be a disappointment," said Emilie Taman, who added that Bookmark the Core has the support of 14 community associations.

As for where the site should be, delegates who spoke to the board during its last two meetings have asked that the central library remain central.

Some developers propose site near LeBreton Flats

A report to the board in February featured proposals from developers of a site closer to LeBreton Flats.

Tong Zhao-Ansari of the Centretown Community Health Centre told the board the library is an important resource for many of their clients, particularly vulnerable populations including seniors, the homeless and refugees. She pointed out that most get to the library by walking.

Tong Zhao-Ansari of the Centretown Community Health Centre says libraries are an important resource for vulnerable persons, most of whom have to walk to get there. (CBC News)

"We would like to make sure the central library remains accessible to people, particularly the population we're serving, so it is definitely a concern if it moved to the west. How are these people going to access the library and the services it provides?"

Kanata North Coun. Marianne Wilkinson confirmed a report to the board has already suggested the majority of clients to the central library get there by walking.

"Only six per cent arrive using public transit, and almost none by car," she said.

Other public delegations included Yves Potvin, who said he evaluated office space and found that the current "weighted mean centre point of the office core" is at Bank and Albert streets, and projected to remain that way. He's therefore questioning the February report's assertion that the downtown core is moving west toward LeBreton Flats.

Board chair Coun. Tim Tierney said more public consultation opportunities are on the way. The board has hired the public relations firm PACE to begin mapping out how to include public input, beginning with a website dedicated to the project by next month.

At the same time, the board is also considering the possibility of working in partnership with Library and Archives Canada for a combined site accommodating both libraries. That proposal is still being assessed, and so the board is having to consider site selection options for two scenarios at the same time.

With or without Library and Archives Canada, an announcement for a new site is expected by the end of the year. The board has already set a goal to begin construction by mid 2018, with a new library ready to open by 2020.