The public library in Hay River, N.W.T., will be closed starting next month and it’s not clear when it might reopen.

On Friday, the library posted a notice on social media announcing the closure would begin May 1 and be in effect “until further notice.” The notice does not give a reason for the closure.

The news follows a community notice issued by the Town of Hay River on Thursday. In that notice, deputy mayor Keith Dohey said the Hay River Library Committee had decided to “discontinue its role as a society overseeing local library services” as of April 30. The notice did not provide any more details about the committee’s decision.

CBC News contacted the Hay River Library Committee by email but did not receive a response before publication.

The town’s notice said it is looking at future options and community interest to form a new committee.

Jannet Ann Leggett is a long-time Hay River resident and an avid reader who is devastated by the news of the closure.

“The library is so much more than just books and space. It really is a place of intellect, of creativity, of peace, of reflection. And all of that goes away if you close the library,” said Leggett.

“It is right in the heart of Hay River, to see that just going vacant …What does that do to the spirit and the heart of the residents of Hay River?”

Leggett says she has fond memories of various speakers visiting the facility and other community events held there.

“It was about it being the only place to have presentations from outside of the town. So it actually became a speaking place, a local meeting place, if someone wanted to bring issues or discuss things or introduce various subjects to the community,” said Leggett.

Glenn Smith, Hay River’s senior administrative officer, says the town was aware of the upcoming closure and is doing what it can to assist in the creation of a new committee.

The town provides funding to the current committee, which is independent of the town, and Smith said that would continue once a new committee is formed.

“There’s already a list of people that have expressed interest. So hopefully getting a meeting in place in the next week,” said Smith.

“The town is willing to help provide some administrative support towards, you know, getting those interested parties together to help them put together any type of registration documents and banking and things like that that are needed.”

Smith expects more discussion about the library at a town council meeting on April 27.

“I think we’ll see things hopefully return to a similar type of operation, but it’s tough to maneuver quickly like that. So it’s going to take time,” said Smith.

He added that the service the committee provided to date has been outstanding, with diverse programming and options for residents.

Another notice posted by the library on Friday says that its Earth Day celebration on April 25 is cancelled “due to unforeseen circumstances.”