The Canton Public Library reopened Monday, Aug. 10, with limited building access as a $2.8 million interior renovation reshapes the main floor through fall 2027.

The Board of Library Trustees will meet Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. in the library's Trustees Room at 786 Washington St. The meeting agenda includes updates from the Interior Renovation and Capital committees, a status report on the Park and Front electronic sign, a Financial Report and a discussion of a new Political Activity Policy.

The meeting is open to the public.

It marks the first trustees session held inside the library since the building closed June 29 for Chapter Three of "The Next Chapter," the multi-year renovation effort. The July 21 meeting was held at Town Hall because the building was unavailable.

According to the library's temporary closure FAQ page, patrons now enter through the Junior Room entrance and can access books and materials on the ground floor and second floor. The main floor remains closed to the public while general contractor Seaver Company and design firm TSKP Studio carry out the interior work.

The project restores three original 1902 rooms and redesigns the main floor interior. Town Meeting approved $2,168,000 in free cash for the renovations on May 12, 2025, along with $200,000 from Community Preservation Act funds and $450,000 in turnback savings from the completed roof and HVAC replacement. Final funding clearance came at the May 11, 2026, Town Meeting.

Joan Schottenfeld, chair of the Board of Library Trustees, called the Library Park groundbreaking in November 2025 "an exciting milestone" she wanted to share with the public. That park project was the second chapter of the same phased renovation now entering its interior phase.

During the renovation, digital services Hoopla and Libby remain available. Patrons can place holds online and pick up materials at any Old Colony Library Network branch. Returns go to any OCLN library or the book drop in the Canton library parking lot. Oversized items like board games and hotspots should be held until the main floor reopens.

The library that draws nearly 200,000 visits per year is now open Monday from 1 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed Sundays.

Residents can speak during the Open Comment Period at the start of the Aug. 18 session.