HELENA — After two and half months, the Lewis and Clark Library are checking out of their Capitol Branch.
The library is closing the temporary location in order to move their materials back to the Main Library Branch, which is nearing completion of its remodel.
“The remodel is nearing completion and we are ready to start moving library items into the newly renovated collections areas at the Main Library,” explained Lewis & Clark Library Director John Finn. “We’re really excited to have people be able to see the new library as soon as we can get it open.”
Patrons are encouraged to stock up on materials before the branch closes at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday Sep. 12.
All totaled, staff will be moving and finding a home for more than 90,000 items at the newly remodeled main branch. The library will be utilizing grocery carts on loan from Albertsons and WinCo to help move the books.
Due to the sheer volume of materials that have to be moved from the Capitol Branch, the Lewis and Clark Library will not be doing pick ups and holds until Sep. 21.
Finn says there may be delays of pick up and holds for a while as they get everything sorted at the Main Branch.
“Because we are moving and rearranging collections at the Main Library still, there might be some delays in getting holds,” Finn said. “If you put something on hold, you might not get it right away. We’re going to have some trouble finding things because every book in the building will need to be moved from its current place to its final place.”
The book drop will remain at the Capitol Branch until the end of the month and the book drop will open at the Main Branch on Sep. 21.
The Bookmobile, East Helena, Lincoln and Augusta branches will remain open, but may have limited access for items from the main branch.
All of the Lewis and Clark Library’s digital resources will remain available during the move. People are able to download books, watch movies and more as long as they have a library card. A library card can also be obtained on the Lewis and Clark Library website.
