The library will be relocated to the second floor at the golf course on a temporary basis when the contractor mobilizes at 26 North Road for the $5 million renovation.

Town Administrator Jamie Hainsworth informed the town councilors about his “flipflopped” plan during their meeting Monday night. The original plan in May was to have the satellite library in the council chambers at Town Hall in order to accommodate the busy season at the clubhouse. That plan assumed work being done at the library during summer.

“We thought the contract would be awarded by June,” he said.

Increased building costs have caused delays, however, and work is not expected to commence “until at least November,” Hainsworth said. That start date hinges on voters passing a $600,000 bond during a special financial town meeting that is scheduled for Oct. 18.

If voters pass that referendum, the library board of trustees can sign an agreement with a contractor for work to be underway for the winter. Because nothing is scheduled for upstairs at the clubhouse following a Halloween party, Hainsworth said having the temporary library at the golf course would not upset the operations.

Hainsworth said he vetted the proposal with Gene Mihaly, who serves as chairman of the library board of trustees, and Mike Gray, director of public works. If all goes according to plan, the “idea is to get the certain area of the library renovation ready for spring.” That would allow the satellite library to move back under the finished area of 26 North Road in time for golf season.

“It sounds like a good plan,” Hainsworth said. “We’re knocking on wood.”

According to Hainsworth, “pretty much the whole second floor” would be needed for the satellite library. A structural engineer has told Hainsworth that the second floor is capable of holding the weight of the books.

The weight, Hainsworth said, is 20,000 pounds of books.

Obviously, all the books in the North Road building can’t be relocated to the clubhouse, but Hainsworth said the library staff will take the books they believe are the most popular for checkout. Books not relocated, and items wanted from other libraries in Rhode Island, can be delivered to the golf course within two days.

“They know what they are doing,” Hainsworth said.

Computers also will be taken to the clubhouse, and programming, like story times for children, will continue at the course.

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