Nova Scotia

Halifax Central Library prepares for grand opening

The wait is almost over - the public will get its first look inside Halifax's new Central Library when the doors officially open Saturday morning.

Last minute jobs underway as library staff gear up for official opening on Saturday

A man peers into the window of the new Halifax Central Library as crews prepare for the Saturday opening. (CBC)

Halifax Central Library officials are expecting thousands of visitors after the doors to the new Central Library officially open to the public on Saturday. 

Staff and contractors are busy putting last minute finishing touches to the facility, including cleaning, restocking the book shelves and securing some table tops.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Halifax Regional Library system, Åsa Kachan, says there'll be entertainment outside just before the "community" ribbon cutting.

"It entails four hundred pairs of safety scissors and we'll be handing those out for all those people who have watched this unfold," she said, "We want those people to be part of this ribbon cutting."

After the ribbon cutting there will be activities inside the building all day long.

The new library opens Saturday, but a cafe inside is open the public now. (CBC)

Librarians aren't the only ones gearing up for big crowds. The co-owner of the two cafes in the building hired 25 new employees.

Christopher Webb operates Pavia Gallery Espresso Bar & Cafe.

"We're just going to be as kind and as fast as we can, knowing that there's going to be a line up here all day." he said.

To make it easier to attend the celebrations anyone who shows their library card can use Halifax Transit for free on Saturday.