OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The Edith Belle Libby Memorial Library will be closed in March as library officials prepare a move back to the facility’s permanent location.

The library moved temporarily to the Lion’s Club building at 128 Saco Ave. in April to make way for an expansion project at 27 Staples St., where the library has been located since 1956. Library officials have long stated the building does not meet the current needs.

In November 2011, residents approved $2 million toward a $2.2 million expansion project for the library, and library officials have been raising money as well.

The library’s last day in operation at the temporary Saco Avenue location will be Feb. 28, according to a notice from library officials. The library will be closed for the entire month of March and will reopen at Staples Street some time in April. Updates will be available on the library’s Facebook page, Twitter and website.

Through Feb. 28, there will be double lending limits, and items checked out may be kept for eight weeks.

In the interim, items can be returned at the drop box, which will be located at the Saco Avenue location until March 10, and at Staples Street thereafter, according to library officials.

Library officials ask the public not to visit the 27 Staples St. building before it officially reopens as work there will continue and they want it “to go smoothly and safely.”

“Our library has always been a place of educational growth, providing a wealth of knowledge found in the richness of books,” said Assistant Town Manager V. Louise Reid in an email. “They remained diligent in service to the community during the building process and soon we will study and learn in a most modern building which will continue to nurture our citizens in their desire to learn.”

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].