Lambton County Library has launched a survey as it plans to double the hours of operation at Florence Library once the Shetland branch permanently closes on August 29.
Dawn-Euphemia Township and Lambton County councils previously approved the closure of the Shetland Library because of the inability to renovate the physical space to meet accessibility standards.
"As well, when we looked at the circulation data of how many people were using the library, the decision was made jointly between the Township of Dawn-Euphemia and the County of Lambton to make some enhancements at Florence Library, which is just about seven kilometres down the road, and to close Shetland Library," said Library Services Manager Darlene Coke.
She said enhancements at the Florence Library will happen as equipment and furnishings become available, so some changes may take place in the summer while others will continue into the fall.
"We're looking to increase the collection size at Florence Library and to install an early literacy station, which is a computer for children that is preprogrammed with all kinds of activities spanning all areas of the curriculum," she said. "We are also looking to make better use of the meeting hall that's within the community centre, where the library is, to improve the levels of programming that we can provide at that site."
Coke said materials at the Shetland Library will be assessed on a case by case basis if they will go to the Florence Library or a different branch.
"If an item isn't going to make it to Florence because there may be duplication, we would look at disbursing it elsewhere within our library system, which currently has a total of 25 libraries," Coke said.
The library's closing date was intentional so services would remain available at the Shetland Library during the summer months.
"We wanted library patrons to be able to participate in our annual summer reading challenge. It's really important for us, as a library system, that we support people maintaining and expanding their literacy skills," she said.
The Shetland Library officially opened on December 3, 1948. Dawn-Euphemia Mayor Alan Broad said currently, there are no plans on what to do with the space once the library branch closes.
Coke said the closure will not impact staff levels since services at Florence Library are going to expand, beginning the first week of September.
The Florence site will operate 24 hours per week, which is an increase from the current 12 hours per week.
An online survey has been launched to gauge feedback regarding the expanded hours.
"So when people visit the library, different times are best for different users depending on their age or their lifestyle, et cetera," said Coke. "So we're looking for feedback from residents -- just in terms of when it would be most convenient for them to visit the library, whether that's daytimes, afternoons, evenings, during the week, or Saturdays."
The survey is available online, and paper copies can be picked up at Dawn-Euphemia's municipal office, located at 4592 Lambton Line.
The survey will be available until April 30.
As an incentive, one of the survey participants will win a $100 grocery gift card.
Library cards are free for anyone who lives, works, studies, owns property in Lambton County, or is a resident of a First Nations community in Ontario.
Lambton County Library also has reciprocal borrowing agreements with neighbouring library systems, including Chatham-Kent Public Library, so members can register with the Lambton service for a free membership.