SUNDERLAND — The Sunderland Public Library will close for two weeks starting Wednesday as it undergoes an extensive carpet replacement project.

From Wednesday, Jan. 10 through Tuesday, Jan. 23, the library will be closed and all in-person services will be suspended. During this temporary suspension of in-person services, patrons are invited to travel to neighboring libraries in the Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing (CW MARS) network, where they can take out and return books.

Neighboring libraries in the network include the Leverett Library, the Hatfield Public Library, the Hadley Public Library and Whately’s S. White Dickinson Memorial Library.

“The carpets are original to the building, so it’s about 19 years old; it’s just time,” said Library Director Katherine Umstot, adding that the work will cover the staff area and main room and will require the movement of furniture and book collection.

The book dropbox will be locked and patrons should visit another library to return their items. In-person activities and events will also be suspended, although Umstot said virtual events will continue as scheduled.

The $37,000 capital project was approved by voters at the 2023 Annual Town Meeting. The carpets, according to the library’s website, are frayed and often buckle during humid weather, posing a tripping hazard for patrons and staff.

Carpet tiles will be installed in the original carpet’s place, which are more durable and can easily be replaced without closing the library.

Other than the pandemic and a one-week closure of the children’s room last year for a smaller carpet replacement project, Umstot said this is the first major closure she can remember.

Residents with questions are encouraged to call or email the library at 413-665-2642 or director@sunderlandpubliclibrary.org, as staff will be monitoring their inboxes. More information can be found at sunderlandpubliclibrary.org/carpet.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.