New Hanover County Main Library to temporarily close ahead of move to new building
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Main Library in downtown Wilmington will temporarily close on Sunday, August 3, as preparations begin for its relocation to the new library facility.
According to New Hanover County, the library will close following regular operating hours from 1 to 5 p.m. that day. The closure will give staff time to move books, computers, and equipment to the new building on Grace Street. The new library is expected to open in early October, with an official date to be announced later.
“While not seeing visitors for a few weeks will be difficult, the time will allow us to transition to our new building and be ready to welcome families and our community to their new library in downtown Wilmington,” said Public Library Director Dana Conners in a news release. “We are certainly excited to see this new space come to life and can’t wait to open the doors this fall.”
During the closure, residents can return books using an exterior book drop at the downtown location, though officials recommend visiting one of the county’s other library branches instead.
Those locations and their hours are:
- Northeast Library at 1241 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington
- Pine Valley Library at 3802 South College Road, Wilmington
- Pleasure Island Library at 1401 N. Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach
Branch hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
While the new library is expected to open this fall, county officials note that the Cape Fear Museum portion of the Grace District complex will not open until summer 2026, as exhibit work remains ongoing.
