Digby library to receive a makeover
A temporary library will be set up at the Visitor Information Centre in Digby
Beginning in early December, the Isaiah W. Wilson Memorial Library is getting a makeover that will include new paint, carpeting, plug-ins for electronics, seating and layout.
The library will be closed as of Monday, Nov. 25 at 84 Warwick St. and staff will be setting up a temporary library at the Visitor Information Centre (VIC), 110 Montague Row in Digby.
The temporary library will open on Tuesday, Dec. 3 and maintain its regular hours until the refresh of 84 Warwick St. is completed.
The expectation is the temporary library will operate from early December to late January.
The timeline is dependent upon the working going according to schedule.
While the temporary library is up and running, holds will not be able to be placed on Digby branch items in storage, but a browsing collection will be available at the temporary location.
“The library is closing for a week to make the move, closing at the end of regular hours on Saturday, Nov. 23 and opening regular hours on Tuesday, Dec. 3. It is a big task involving storage of a large amount of materials and the moving of others, plus shelving, chairs and tables, computers, fax machines, copiers, etc.,” says Ian White, Public Relations Manager of the Western Counties Regional Library. “A sizeable amount of the collection located at Digby will go into storage and be unavailable.”
But the move and the temporary location won’t prevent people from being able to access library services.
As usual people can access material from other branches through the catalogue. Library items can be returned to the VIC during open library hours. All existing library services will be offered at the temporary location. Late fees will be forgiven during the temporary move. The library will use the phones (902-245-5714) at the VIC following the temporary relocation.
“The Digby library refresh is the result of surveys done several years ago,” says Western Counties Regional Library director Erin Comeau.
Following the survey, the Digby Library Committee, consisting of the chief administrative officers and councillors of the Town of Digby and the Municipality of the District of Digby, and the Western Counties Regional Library director, looked at what was possible to provide better service.
The library interior design will be enhanced after the walls are painted and the carpet replaced.
“We are not adding to the library in terms of structure, but we are improving the existing space,” says Comeau.
There will be a more comfortable café-style seating area with accessible outlets in convenient locations. The children’s area will become a defined space to allow children to move around freely, and the space will be brighter. The library is also creating an area for teens.
The library staff is excited for the changes.
“(Library clerk) Cindy (Hazel) and I are getting excited about the changes, especially the new carpet and different colours on the wall,” says senior library clerk Joanna Jarvis.
She believes moving the library circulation desk to face the doors will be a great improvement and allow them to consolidate in one place the library’s adult non-fiction collection, including large print.