A 1977 study determined that a larger library was needed in Thunder Bay South, but because Brodie was found to be a historic building, they decided to split its collection with a satellite branch; Brodie became the south end reference and resource branch.

[7] On February 27, 1982, the city's Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC) designated the Brodie Street Library as a historically significant building.

[9] On December 9, 1995, the County Park Branch Library, located in County Fair Mall, opened its doors after much public interest from local area residents[10] (the need for a library in this area of the city was identified in facility studies conducted in 1977 and 1987[11]).

The population shift to this area of the city and the outlying region meant the library had to rethink service points and access for the citizens; subsequently, this location has remained very busy since its inception.

[13] The new Mary J. L. Black Community Hub has been located at 901 Edward St South in southern Thunder Bay since its opening in 2011.

[15] After the designation of the Brodie Street Library as a historically significant building, work focused on the automation project, which was installed in 1986.

[19] In 1995, the Thunder Bay Public Library launched the first phase of their self-service options with a self-check unit.