The new library on Cortes Island will have its grand opening later this month.
Director Brenda Leigh, who sits on the Vancouver Island Regional Library board, said the Cortes library branch at the former Linnaea Farm school will be officially opened Friday, April 25 at 1 p.m.
“There’ll be a celebration, cake, a ribbon cutting and a lot of fun,” said Leigh who invited everyone that could to attend.
Cortes Island Director Noba Anderson said she was pleased to hear the community has its library back.
“That’s wonderful, and thank you,” Anderson said to Leigh.
Anderson said she would also like to see a report on whether the numbers are up or down at the library which unofficially opened to the public in its new location in mid-November.
The library was formerly located in the community hall in Manson’s Landing but was closed by Vancouver Island Regional Library after a safety inspector found the mezzanine floor was not strong enough to bear the weight of the library books and was in danger of collapsing.
The library was shuttered in May 2012 and a temporary holds location was established for returns and pick ups.
Following failed negotiations between Vancouver Island Regional Library and the Southern Cortes Community Association to re-establish the Cortes branch, Linnaea Farm stepped up to the plate and offered to house the library in the former alternative school which closed in 2010 due to declining enrolment.
The new library branch is now not only much safer but it also has some new features including a children’s computer with educational software, study tables, a new and enhanced collection, public access to computers, and lounge seating.
