For more than 30 years, this St. John’s public library has made its home in the west end, but next month it will close this chapter in its story.

The Michael Donovan Public Library is leaving the Waterford Valley Mall on Topsail Road. Its last day in its current location is June 13.

“We’ve had a really great time there, we’re trying to stay positive and hopefully we’ll find a new location really soon,” regional librarian Emma Craig told CBC Radio’s The St. John’s Morning Show.

In recent years, she said the library has had a month-by-month lease in the mall, which has ended. Craig said they are actively looking for a new home and they have potential locations.

Previously, Craig said they had considered moving to the nearby Village Mall — which is about a five-minute drive from the library’s current location — and there was a lot of excitement about it.

She said it could still happen.

“We have to keep our options open. And obviously, because we’re part of government, we’ll have to go through a necessary procurement process before we can confirm any location,” said Craig.

The “worst case scenario” would be the Michael Donovan Public Library closing permanently, she said, adding they’re optimistic they will reopen in another location.

“We don’t want our community, especially our community in the west end, to think that there won’t be a library that’s close to them,” said Craig.

The Michael Donovan Public Library is also one of their more frequented locations in the province, said Craig.

“We always like to think of those branches as small but mighty libraries. Like, despite their size restrictions, they definitely continue to serve their community as best they can when it comes to circulation, providing services, and again, programs.”

Looking for bigger, accessible space

Craig said the Waterford Valley Mall space did have its limitations, as it was a small spot with few seating options and no space for programming. Moving means they can find a more suitable space.

“Anytime we put on programs or events at that library, you’re basically on top of each other,” said Craig.

“So our ideal space would definitely be something a little bigger, maybe like a set room where we could have some programming going on.”

Craig said they’d also want a new home to have more seating space, be accessible and have more parking.

The library has to be out of the space by the end of June, so the last few weeks will involve a lot of packing up books and removing shelving and furniture.

Craig hopes they’ll have a new space to move into by that time, but if not, they will need to figure out storage options.

Source: CBC Newfoundland & Labrador