Clayton Library Opens Temporary Location during Renovations
Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library will reopen to the public on Tuesday, July 1 in a new temporary location at 446 East Second Street while its home building undergoes reconstruction and renovation.
Regular hours of operation will resume, including Saturdays. Please note the library will be closed on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day.
“Moving an entire library is no small task,” said Library Manager Melissa Poole. “Our team handled every detail of the move from sorting and labeling to setting up shelves and services. We had one goal in mind: making sure our community still had access to the resources and support they rely on. After packing and unpacking more than 700 boxes and spending around 2,600 staff hours, we are proud to have created a welcoming space that continues to meet the needs of our visitors.”
Inside the temporary location, visitors will find designated areas for children, teens, and adults. Library staff have carefully filled the space with a curated collection, and familiar services like book checkouts, placing holds, and resource sharing.
Visitors can also access public technology services, including in-house Chromebooks and mobile hotspots for reliable Wi-Fi. Staff are available to assist with printing and other needs, and additional services will continue to expand in the coming weeks.
“We are growing into this temporary space right alongside our customers,” added Poole. “But our mission has not changed. We are proud to continue offering the same friendly service and support people know and love, especially during the summer months when learning and reading are more important than ever.”
Public programs, including storytimes and special events, are being held at The Clayton Center through July 25. After that date, activities will begin to move into the temporary location. For the latest information, visitors are encouraged to check the library’s website at claytonlibrarync.org.
Cultural Arts and Library Programming Director Steven Langston praised library staff for their dedication and teamwork throughout the transition.
“This move took months of planning and an incredible amount of teamwork,” said Langston. “Melissa and her staff never lost sight of the people they serve. Every decision was made with the community in mind, and that care is reflected in the thoughtful layout and well-organized space they created.”
Langston added that the successful relocation would not have been possible without support from other Town departments. Public Works, Engineering, Development Services, Inspections, IT, Cultural Arts, and Communication each contributed to aspects of the move from preparing the building and handling inspections to configuring technology and coordinating public outreach.
Visitors to the temporary location can park in the marked spots located at the front of the building or utilize the nearby public parking lot.
The library is expected to remain in the temporary location for about one year. Renovations at the home building (100 South Church Street) are scheduled to be completed by summer 2026.
