Alexandra Library will be closed this week as it prepares for its next chapter.

The library, located at 43 Tarbert St, will be closed for about six months while it undergoes a refurbishment.

However, the service will resume thanks to a pop-up library at Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery, where a range of its services will be available from 9am on Monday, June 17.

A wide range of reading material will be on offer and staff will have access to items in off-site storage.

People will also still be able to return items after hours.

A limited range of programmes, including Home Services, wi-fi, printing and computer use will be available.

Refurbishment of the Alexandra Library, which has been “on the cards” for the past 15 years, will start on Monday, June 17.

It will include a cosmetic internal renovation of the building, new office equipment, shelving and general enhancement.

The project has been made possible by Central Government’s Better Off Funding, which has provided 60 per cent of the total $1,035,000 cost.

Central Otago District Council (CODC) group manager - community experience David Scoones said the refurbishment had come about thanks to the mahi of the Alexandra Library team and the community who had supported the project.

“A project that, for many, has been a labour of love for 15 years and thanks to the better off funding has been made achievable. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back into the newly refurbished space.”

CODC anticipates the refurbishment will take up to six months to complete.

Central Otago libraries has also been busy converting its collection to Radio Frequency Identification barcodes, which was another Better Off Funding project.

CODC was granted $361,000 towards the installation of the wireless radio tagging system.