The Bruce County Public Library Sauble Beach branch is closing this week for renovations.
The library says the branch will close on Nov. 24 for renovation work, which includes new flooring, shelving, furniture, and a new paint job. The work is expected to take a number of weeks and has a planned reopening date for Dec. 14.
Director of Library Services Brooke McLean says they have been getting ready for the renovation for a good part of 2022, with supply chain issues delaying the project for a time.
She describes the renovation as being bright and welcoming.
“We are very appreciative of the municipality of South Bruce Peninsula, they are putting in new flooring for us and they are going to repaint the building so it will be a complete refresh, and then we are installing all new shelves. A lot of the shelving will be mobile, so it will be a flexible space and we will be able to make better use of it for programs and other activities, and it is also going to be more accessible. The shelving is lower and it’s designed for easy access for everybody,” says McLean.
She says the work is being done by the municipality as the library rents the space from South Bruce Peninsula and maintenance falls on their shoulders. The library, however, takes care of needed furnishings.
“There will be some changes to the collection, nothing in terms of fewer books, differently displayed books I would say. we are going to be able to highlight some of our non-traditional collection items better on the new shelving,” says McLean. “Just having the ability to relocate the shelving as needed, temporarily or make some more permanent changes, I think it’s going to be a very efficient use of the space.”
She says the renovation will be a strictly interior refresh and there are no changes planned for the outside.
Patrons with an item currently on hold will be contacted by library staff with details on how to collect their item.
Additionally, the library says book returns will also be out of service during the closure. Those unable to return any items to a different branch will not have to worry about overdue fines, as the library will be waiving them during this time.
The Sauble Beach library programs will be going on a short hiatus during the renovations, but those looking for things to do can visit the Wiarton Branch or any of the other locations.
People can also still make use of the library’s online services during this time.
Once the renovations finish, the library will be hosting a reopening event for residents to check out the new upgrades.