(Dawson Thompson/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

New look

John M. Cuelenaere Library reopens Oct. 5

Sep 21, 2020 | 2:43 PM

The newly renovated John M. Cuelenaere Public Library will reopen Oct. 5 with a number of restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Public computers will not be available and public seating will be kept to a minimum. Public washrooms will be closed. Building occupancy will be limited to 50 members of the public. People entering the library will have their temperature taken and mask use is encouraged. Meeting rooms and theatre are not yet open. Library programs will also start at a later date.

“We’re just going to start conservative and then if things keep going right, we’ll add service as we go,” Prince Albert Public Library director, Alex Jurio told paNOW.

The early October reopening will also be the public’s first chance to check out major renovations at the library completed over the summer.

Jurio said they’ve been getting “overwhelmingly positive” feedback on the new look from contractors who have been in and out of the building.

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

6h ago

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

“We’re managed to fit the same amount of material into the same amount of space with an improved layout that allows for wider aisles with no dead-ends,” Jurio said. Floors, washrooms and masonry have also been redone.

Currently crews are working on installing counter seating along one of the windows and bench seating in the gallery. New furniture to create improved study areas and a comfy community living room space will be installed at a later date.

While the public is welcome to come in and browse when the building reopens in October, unfortunately Jurio said, the idea is that they check-out their materials and go.

“It’s sort of painful to do, but we’re not going to be marketing the library as much of a destination as we normally would,” he said.

Other branches of the Prince Albert Public Library at the Bernice Sayese Centre and Saskatchewan Polytechnic will reopen at a later date.

–

alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom