Lorraine Trudeau and Jon Sawatzky in the addition

The addition project at Jake Epp Library in Steinbach is well ahead of schedule and that has created a change to the construction timeline.  Board Chair Jon Sawatzky says they are now only weeks away from closing the doors.  "We are going to have a bit of a closure date so we can get the new materials in.  That means January 7 will be the last day we are open to the public and we will reopen sometime at the end of March."

He adds this project is way ahead of schedule.  "We weren't expecting this for quite some time so this is a pleasant Christmas surprise."  The most recent plan was for the the doors to close in mid to late February with a late May reopening date.

Head Librarian Lorraine Trudeau says the next few weeks will be busy.  "We have to pack up the entire library, we have to box up all the books, we have to dismantle all the shelving and put absolutely everything into storage.  So that's a huge job that my staff and I are undertaking.  When the building is empty then the crews are coming in and doing all the renovations in the existing facility and they will tie the two projects together."



She notes a special situation has been created for library patrons.  "Patrons can now come to the library and check out as many books as they want and their due date will be April 2.  I would really like it so that my patrons can house my books.  That makes it a lot less books that we have to box."

Trudeau adds staff will be working through part of the shut down.  "They will be packing and there is going to be a short interim where they are going to be laid off.  It's very short because they need to get back in as soon as the construction in the facility is done and re-stock the shelves and get this whole new facility ready for the grand opening."

She says this transition is a big project.  "My collection (of books) sits at 75,000 so I'm really hoping that a lot of that is actually checked out and the patrons can enjoy their collection of books while we are closed."

Trudeau expects a grand opening will be planned later in summer.  "The exterior work like the sidewalk, landscaping and the stucco is going to be done in the spring.  I think they will hold off on the grand opening till it's beautified on the exterior."

Meanwhile she adds a special day in January will go ahead even thought he library will be closed.  "On January 27 we are still going to be celebrating Family Literacy Day.  We are going to bring it to the legion in Steinbach and are partnering with the Health Child Coalition and Eastman Immigration Services."