The Aboyne library was officially reopened last week after being closed for renovations since September.
Wellington County staff and councillors, as well as committee members from the library board and social services committee, officially reopened the building with a ribbon cutting on March 17.
County councillor and library board chair Rob Black lauded the modern design.
“You’re going to find a brand new, modern library branch with new technology and lots of extras that were not here in the old branch,” Black said.
“The Aboyne branch is now on par with other modern branches throughout the county; another jewel in the county’s library crown.”
The library was closed in September for renovations that included a complete redesign of the space to include offices for the county’s Children’s Early Years division, which provides services to support children and families in Wellington County and Guelph.
The division can assist in finding child care, supports for children with disabilities and special needs, as well as support for early years operators.
“In the 32 years I’ve been with the child care sector in Wellington, I don’t think we’ve had anything that makes my heart sing as much as this place does,” said director of Children’s Early Years Luisa Artuso.
The new child care section of the building has space for eight offices, reception area, meeting room and resource room.
The library offers office space, public computers, a meeting room, boardroom, reading lounge and children and adult books.
“It’s a fantastic new facility,” said Warden Dennis Lever. “Libraries aren’t what they were when I was a child; they’re much more inclusive.”
The $1.2-million Aboyne library renovation was designed by VG Architects and built by Collaborative Structures Ltd.
