VIDALIA &8212; The Vidalia branch of the Concordia Parish Library will be a lot bigger by next autumn, but until then, it&8217;s going to be a whole lot smaller.

In a process that will be completed next week, the library will move all of its materials into the program room and the hallway to make way for the contractors working to nearly quadruple its size.

The new 8,800 square foot library will incorporate the current space&8217;s 2,300 square feet, creating an open and airy facility that will serve the needs of the growing city.

Until then, however, check your claustrophobia at the door.

&8220;It&8217;s going to be very cozy,&8221; library Director Amanda Taylor said. &8220;But we&8217;re dedicated to continuing all of our services.&8221;

While the library will continue to operate as normal throughout the construction period, its children&8217;s programs will move to the First Baptist Church in Vidalia. Other summer programs will be held in the Concordia Bank program room.

Monday morning, Taylor, project superintendent Jim Hankins, members of the library staff and inmates from the Concordia Parish Sheriff&8217;s Office moved books, disassembled shelves and began moving everything across the hall. Taylor said the trustees were a big help to the operation.

&8220;We wouldn&8217;t be able to do this without them,&8221; she said.

The project is scheduled for completion by August, but Taylor said that depends on material shipments.

Don M. Barron Construction of West Monroe is doing the work. Hankins said this is his first library to move, but he has 30 years&8217; experience moving hospitals, so he knows how to keep a building operating next to construction.

&8220;If we can move a hospital, we can move a library,&8221; he said.

Barron is also the contractor responsible for the Vidalia Gateway and Welcome Center.

The price tab for the library is $1,444,000. The library has over $1.2 million saved via a 1998 tax passed to raise money for the construction.

Taylor said the community is going to get its money&8217;s worth.

&8220;This community has a bright future,&8221; she said. &8220;This library is built with that in mind. It&8217;s going to be very nice.&8221;