After months of delays, the new North Dartmouth Library now has an official opening date.

 

In a statement on social media, library officials confirmed the new 211 Cross Rd. north branch building will open for business at 9 a.m. on January 27.

 

The hours will mirror the previous Tucker Road site it replaces. Hours will be Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

The library will be closed on Fridays and Sundays.

 

“This is a soft opening,” said Library Director Lynne Antunes. “We’ll do a grand opening later, probably when it’s a bit warmer out.” 

As far as turnout, Antunes and library staff are anticipating visits, but aren’t quite sure just how many will make the trek to the new building on the opening day.

“We’ve put it out on Facebook, and it’s been on our webpage and Twitter,” Antunes said. “I will be up there to see how it goes.” 

The official opening will close a chapter in a months-long battle to solve a host of post-construction issues which have affected everything from the toilets to the drainage system.

Ground was broken on the 10-acre site in July 2018, and major construction wrapped up in October 2019. Construction was prompted by news that a state-led project to re-align Tucker Road with Hathaway Road would result in the demolition of the existing Tucker Road branch library.

Although it was originally anticipated the library would open in the fall of 2019, a host of post-construction issues led to delays.

Water was found leaking into the basement, and problems with the toilets, telephones, and drainage system were discovered.

Most recently, library officials were waiting on a final commissioning report to officially open the library.

Antunes said a majority of these issues have been fixed. The telephone and plumbing systems are working, and the source of the basement water leak has been found and corrected. 

“We have the computers up and running,” Antunes said. “We can check books in and out. The telephones are working. We have computers. The whole collection is on the shelves from the old building, and we’ve been buying new material. The important things are ready.” 

There are some issues that are still being worked on, like the landscaping issues. Last week, construction crews installed new plantings to help stabilize the pathway to prevent it from being washed out. 

The committee overseeing building construction is working through quotes from several companies to replace a since-removed sign in front of the building which was far too small to read.