Sandy Richardson has been saying "Shh!" as the community librarian in Pitt Meadows for about 35 years.

When she was first hired in 1978, the library was in a small white a-frame building that used to stand where the parking lot between Pitt Meadows City Hall and the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre is now.

"It became the library in Pitt Meadow in 1971. There was a barber shop in there too, we shared with Pete the Barber," recalled Richardson.

"In 1978 the barber moved out and we took over the entire 980-square-foot building," said Richardson, adding that the current location beside City Hall has been home to the library since 1988, and is about 7,500-square-feet.

The library hosted a book sale on Saturday, as it prepares for its next big move, to a 12,700-square-foot facility at the corner of Harris and Ford roads.

The library will shut down for three weeks for the transition to the new building, which is expected to happen in February.

For Richardson, the move is bittersweet.

"This building is like my second home, it's become a comfy place. Hopefully the new library will feel like home, too," she said.

Every year, Pitt Meadows library holds its annual book sale in May, but this year they decided to hold the event before the move.

"This seemed like a good way to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new," Richardson said.

The new library will incorporate Spirit of Wood carvings, reading and study areas with views of mountains, as well as use of light, fixtures, and finishes to depict a warm setting with colours and materials reflective of Pitt Meadows' natural beauty.

There will be an open-floor concept, with a children's section with circular bookshelves in the front and mostly clear sightlines from the information desk.

The library was originally slated to be finished in December 2011, according to a construction update on the City's website. However, a small delay incurred when the developer had to wait for construction materials.

smclaren@mrtimes.com