Search is on for temporary Windsor Public Library location

Finding a suitable new location for Windsor's main library branch will not be easy and time is running out the libraryhas to be out of its current location onOuelletteAvenue by June 2019.

On Friday, it was announced the building is being purchased by the Downtown Mission for $3.6 million, meaning the library will have to relocate.

Library CEOKitty Pope said they need 75,000 sq. ft., but there does not appear to be any available buildings downtown that fit the bill.

"So, we need something that has the correct weight load to be able to carry the volume of materials that we put on the floor," Pope told CBC Windsor Morning's Tony Doucette. "So far, we've looked at 16 sites, in the downtown and slightly outside of the downtown, and at this point, we can see nothing that we could move into with minor renovations."

Some say sale not a 'wise decision'

The search is complicated by the fact not everyone is happy about the sale.

LindaQincomes to the Windsor Public Library's CentralBranch almost every day, but soon she'll have to find a new place to study in peace.

"I don't think it's a wise decision. I'm strongly against it," saidQin, who travels all the way from South Windsor to find a library with enough space and quiet for her to think.

"I just saw the message that said it's [too] big here. I don't think so, it's just perfect," she explained, before telling Popethe way the building was sold left her feeling disrespected.

"You made the decision even before asking the opinion of the public."

Hear more about the library's location search:

The CEO explained the mission had approached the library and offered to buy the branch or the building next door.

"The board looked at that and said 'You know what if the mission buys the building next door the values of this building will significantly reduce,'" so they chose to sell.

As for Qin'sother concern, Pope said ensuring there's enough "people space" will be an important factor in selecting the new branch

"We know our customers aren't mushrooms, they like to grow in the sunlight," she said. "We need open space."

The Devonshire Mall might seem like an obvious location to some, but Pope said the mall has made it clear that having a public library isn't in their business model. Plus, she said the mall has plans for the Sears building already.

Pope saidthey may need to use one or more temporary locations until the right spot is found.

"We may have to break up the library into several small pieces for a little while," she said.

In the meantime, library staff are currently working on a moving plan to relocate the 175,000 books to wherever the new site may be.