The Hoquiam Library is set to re-open Tuesday, Dec. 11, Hoquiam city administrator Brian Shay announced at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Shay had met earlier in the day with contractors performing the $1 million overhaul of the historic building for an update on construction progress and said it was decided the facility would be ready to open Dec. 11. That would be two months to the day after it closed Oct. 11 when it was decided construction would be too difficult and potentially dangerous to accomplish without a weeks-long closure of the building.

Shay stressed Dec. 11 is a tentative date. Construction delays could push it back.

As of Tuesday, Shay said the carpeting of the upstairs portion of the library is complete and books that were moved downstairs for flooring work are being brought back upstairs, when contractors will carpet the lower floor.

Upgrades to the library include more energy efficient lighting, repairing and replacing masonry work, installation of new windows, painting and other miscellaneous work. Funding for construction came from a $705,000 State Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant, a $250,000 capital budget appropriation by the Legislature and about $40,000 in local grants and donations.

The building is owned by the City of Hoquiam and operated by the Timberland Regional Library. Ironically, the library system listed the library as one that might be closed under a proposal to save money. The public outcry was significant when the closure plan was unveiled. The library system tabled the plan and will reconsider it in August.