The Jane/Dundas Branch of the Toronto Public Library was in dire straits.
It hadn't been renovated since it was built in 1975.
One library staff member went so far as to call it tragic.
"It was the saddest little library," he said.
It has been rescued, however, with a $2.575 million renovation, "an average budget for a building of this size," according to Anne Bailey, director of branches at the Toronto Public Library.
The building is set to re-open on Feb. 4 at 1 p.m.
Toronto Public Library will mark the occasion with a celebratory event featuring a ribbon cutting, family entertainment, music, prizes and refreshments.
After several public consultation meetings with focus groups followed by a year-long renovation project, the library now boasts a new main entrance and a full service elevator, 19 computers featuring both high-speed internet access and word processing, wireless internet access and more than 11,000 new books, CDs, DVDs and magazines as well as a new express checkout or a "self-service checkout," Bailey said.
"We've had staff in there since December doing prep work, getting the shelves ready, bringing the collection back," said Bailey.
The Jane Street Branch was originally built in 1958 at 610 Jane St. It remained there until it closed in 1974. A year later, it was rebuilt at its current location at 620 Jane St.
The Jane/Dundas Branch is the first of seven library branches to re-open in 2008 after major renovations. In addition to the new computers, high speed internet access and book, CD and DVD collections, there are new comfortable reading areas for children, teens and adults as well as a new Teen Zone.
There is a fully-equipped bookable meeting room that can accomodate as many as 80 people, but can also double as quiet study space.
"Jane/Dundas is a popular branch. We expect it will be even more popular now," Bailey said.