Westover citizens no longer have to travel to other municipalities to find their favorite authors and literary characters.

Citizens of Westover and town officials alike came together to celebrate the long-awaited reopening of the Westover Public Library Tuesday evening.

The library, which has 4,300 books and various audio and video materials, had been closed for more than a year while being completely remodeled.

Mayor Mark McLaughlin said while the library took much longer than expected, the results were worth the wait.

“It took a lot longer than we thought, but it’s something we’re serious about,” he said. “This is a good day for us.”

Construction has doubled the amount of space available to 500 feet.

Library director Annette Tyler said she believes the reopened library will see a boost in circulation.

“(The library) will improve our circulation and give our citizens an opportunity to stay here in Westover to check books in and out and not have to go all over the place,” she said. “I’m so excited. I still have some things I’d like to do.”

She said the library would add even more books soon, as there are still publications waiting to be processed.

Zack Smith, 16, a Chelsea resident who said he enjoys using the Westover library, said he was excited about the changes made to the building.

“I’m probably going to use it more because it allows for a wider variety of books,” Smith said.

Tyler plans to soon purchase a new circulation desk, as well as a table and chairs for a planned children’s section of the library.

Normal library hours for the Westover Public Library will be Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

For more information on the library, contact Annette Tyler at 678-3375 ext. 703, or visit Westover’s Web site at Westoveralabama.org.