Lori MacKay was one of the first patrons through the newly-opened Dorset branch of the Haliburton County Public Library Oct. 11.
The HCPL held a soft opening of the branch last Friday.
MacKay, from Dorset, said she loves libraries.
“It’s exciting that we have our branch back,” she said. The library was closed for about four years while Algonquin Highlands did a major retrofit of the Dorset Recreation Centre.
MacKay said she appreciated that HCPL supplied lockers to drop off and pick up books at Robinson’s General Store in the interim but, “we’re happy to have a place to come and browse and visit.”
HCPL CEO Andrea Brown told the library board at an Oct. 9 meeting that the new branch was having a soft opening, but would be holding a grand opening Oct. 25.
She said the real deal will feature a ribbon-cutting and cupcakes at 1 p.m.
Brown said the branch furniture had all been received and installed. The County IT team has set up staff and public workstations. The library’s WiFi, printer/copier, and the other pieces of technology required for the provision of branch services (VOIP phone, barcode scanner, receipt printer, etc) are all in place.
She added library staff prepared their circulating collections so items were on the shelves and ready for patrons to browse and borrow as of last Friday.
Regular weekly open hours in Dorset will be: Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brown also told the meeting Dysart et al staff will be removing the brickwork and paving the walkway that runs along the side and front of the Dysart branch. She said the replacement with concrete will make the pedestrian areas on the south side of the building significantly safer for everyone.
To facilitate this work, they will be temporarily closing the Dysart branch from Oct. 28-Nov. 1.
Discussing the 2025 budget, Brown said the board request is for the County to fund approximately $1.213,386, a 0.25 per cent increase from 2024, or about $3,300 more.
The next regular meeting of the HCPL will be Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. The public can view these meetings on YouTube.
