The Keene Public Library is moving its staff and some of its resources to the Keene Valley Public Library for the winter while structural issues at the Keene library building are being repaired.

Starting Nov. 1, the two libraries will be open for a collective six days a week at Keene Valley. The Keene staff will operate the library on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and the Keene Valley staff will operate the library on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Keene library’s computer system and some of its library books will also move to Keene Valley. The Keene library is expected to reopen on June 1, once the repairs are finished.

Keene Valley Library Director Karen Glass said that the two libraries are joining forces so the Keene library doesn’t “lose momentum” while the building is under construction. A portion of the roof will be repaired with trusses, columns will be installed to reinforce walls, and the floor and foundation will be repaired.

Glass said the library was evaluated in May, when inspectors found that the building’s roof couldn’t withstand another winter’s worth of snow. She said that since then, the town has been analyzing what repairs needed to be done, seeking project estimates and looking for financing.

The library hasn’t received funding for the repairs yet. Glass said the Keene Valley library submitted a grant application in support of the project to the Library Construction Grant of New York State on Oct. 1. She said they should hear back about whether or not the application was approved by January. Glass said she’s not sure how the library repairs will be funded if the grant doesn’t get approved, but she said, “I have no doubt that the grant will go through.”

Glass said that the libraries hope to continue in the spirit of cooperation even after the repairs are finished. She said that together, the two libraries create a valuable shared resource that better strengthens the Keene community.