The San Juan Island Library will be closing from Wednesday, Aug. 17 through Saturday, Aug. 20 to replace worn flooring. The current flooring, installed in 2005 in the staff work area, has simply worn out despite regular maintenance. Funds for the project come from the library’s operating budget, money the library designated for exactly such purposes.

While the library is closed, the library Wi-Fi hotspot should continue to be available, so if you visit the library for Wi-Fi, you should be able to work from your vehicle in the parking lot.

Most items currently on loan will not be due back during the period the library is closed, but if patrons wish to return their items, the drive-thru book drop will remain open.

The website www.sjlib.org will be up, and most of the library’s 24/7 online databases will be available. One thing that will be different is that you will not be able to place requests for interlibrary loan items from Tuesday, Aug. 16 through Sunday, Aug. 21. Library Director Laurie Orton said, “Some of our regulars are worried about what they’ll do during the closure. I tell them, ‘Just stock up on books and movies before we close, and bring everything back after we reopen with durable, safe floors.'”