Big changes are coming to Downtown Arlington that will impact the future of city library services. The 40-year-old George W. Hawkes Central Library, 101 E. Abram, will be closing its doors December 23, 2014. Within a few months, the building, which was determined by engineers to have existing conditions that hinder its ability to accommodate the future needs of the City, will come down to make way for new downtown development. Included in those plans is a new, larger Central Library at a site across Center Street from its present location and slated for opening in 2017.

During the time that the new library is being constructed, downtown library services will be offered at the temporary Central Express facility located at 200 North Cooper Street. This facility will open on January 13, 2015 and will offer computer access, Wi-Fi, new and high demand materials for adults and children and holds pickup. Hours of service at Central Express will be 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Some collections will be temporarily housed at branch locations, and warehoused materials will be available through the holds request process.

Except during the moving and re-shelving process, the Central Library collection will still remain accessible to library patrons who place holds on these items through the Library's online public access catalog. Held items will be sent to the patron's choice of pickup location which may be any of one of six branch libraries, the Central Express facility, seven Library Link elementary schools (patrons must be members of a student's family) and three locker pickup locations at the Cooper Street YMCA, Tarrant County College Southeast campus library or Foster Elementary School.

"For the past 40 years, our community has created a collage of rich experiences and personal memories during visits to the George W. Hawkes Central Library," Siegfried said. "We look forward to turning a page to the next chapter of Arlington's central library and creating new memories for future generations."

Extended hours of service will be offered at the East Arlington Branch Library, 1624 New York Avenue, starting Friday, December 26, 2014. The East Arlington Branch hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays during the school year. All branch locations are open 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The Southeast Branch is also open 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays during the school year.

More information is available on the Central Library Project web page at www.arlington-tx.gov/centrallibrary. This site will offer construction updates, answers to frequently asked questions, calendar events, library history, special features and fascinating vintage photos.