Tillsonburg library to undergo renovations as new member of Oxford Library System
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A new deal between the county and Tillsonburg should please book lovers in the south end of Oxford.
County council, as part of a transaction that will lead to library’s upgrade, approved the purchase of the Tillsonburg Public Library building for $467,000 from the Town of Tillsonburg during council Wednesday morning,
The land will remain in ownership of the Town of Tillsonburg and will be leased to the county for 20 years at a cost of $2 per year.
County councillor and Oxford library board chair Margaret Lupton said in a release that having that agreement in place means that they can now refurbish the library and present to the community “a facility that they can be proud of and that delivers to them a vision they have expressed for local library services.”
The library joined the Oxford County Library system on January 1, 2013, and since then has seen 900 new users registered.
The agreement is designed to allow the Oxford County Library to finalize the changes needed to modernize the structure at a cost of $850,000.
The renovations are being funded through county funds and a federal grant of $276,723 from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.
Plans included a state-of-the-art technology lab, a study area and design features that would allow for easier access to shelving and washrooms.
The library — expected to open midyear — will offer expanded library services that includes full access to the entire Oxford County catalogue of books and other media.
The renovations will also include new insulation, flooring and windows.
During the construction phase, the library is currently operating out of a temporary location at 164 Broadway Street, Unit 6.
For more information visit www.ocl.net.