At long last the new multi-million dollar public library will officially open its doors on Jan. 23.
Despite the appearance of frantic final work by construction crews last week at the site of the new $8 million building, which will also house a seniors' centre and quarters for the Henday Association for Lifelong Learning, library officials said it will be ready for the public.
"I'm relieved and very excited," said Laurie Hodges Humble, library manager. "We all want to get back to work, back to our routine. People who I have talked to miss us. They really miss their library."
Besides finishing touches, all that is left to do is get an accurate count of the books that have to go back on the shelves.
"We have thousands of books. I lost count at 450 boxes," said Hodges Humble, adding the library is now building a collection of e-books. "We also have the largest collection of audio books in the Parkland Regional Library system, due to a generous benefactor."
In the meantime though, the library manager can only marvel at the state-of-the-art facility, which replaces the former cramped downtown-area quarters inside the old Telus building, which served locals since the early 1980s.
"It is beautiful. There is natural light. It is spacious and all on one floor," she said.
The total area of the new single storey building is 19,375 square feet. The library will cover 7,700 square feet, the seniors' centre will have 3,900 square feet, and the Henday association will occupy 1,500 square feet. About 4,000 square feet has been set aside for the building's common area, another 650 square feet for the public washrooms and 1,370 square feet for the janitor and mechanical rooms.
The official opening for the new building at 5300 55 Street-Close has experienced repeated delays. It was originally supposed to be completed last March, and then again in October. Project manager Dale Mather said last month the delays were caused by "complexities" with the construction of the new building, notably the delivery and erection of steel.
The old library has been closed since Nov. 10. In the meantime, patrons have been directed to use library services in other Parkland Regional libraries, including those in Penhold, Spruce View and Olds.
"It (new library) is certainly well worth the wait,' said Jane Duncalfe, chair of the Innisfail Public Library Board. "Everything is moved over here. It is just a matter of setting it up when it is completed."
While waiting for the new facility to open library staff have been taking various professional courses, job shadowing at different libraries in the region, processing book returns at the Co-op Mall, and pre-signing citizens for memberships at the new library.
"They have also been pre-planning children's programs," said Duncalfe. "They can hit the ground running."
Duncalfe said while the library will be opening for the public on Jan. 23 a "grand opening" will be made by the town at an undetermined future date in spring.
