Library patrons looking for story times, book groups, literacy programs or to check out a good read during the Kirkland library’s expected year-long closure now have a few more months to search.

The closure, which was slated to begin this month for an expansion project, has been postponed until late December to early January, said Brooke Fisher, spokesperson for the King County Library System.

The review of the building permit documents by city staff took longer than expected, she said. The project is now out for bid and officials anticipate construction to begin with the library closure.

The library will add 4,000 square feet to its existing 15,000-square-foot space. The $3.29 million plan includes a quiet study area, new meeting rooms, computers and an expansion of the children’s area that will double it in size. Funded by a $172 capitol bonds measure that King County voters passed in 2004, the expansion project also includes upkeep and maintenance of the library during the next decade.

“During the year-long closure, the library will have a temporary location at Parkplace Books and we’re still figuring out the details about the temporary services,” Fisher added.

The library will send out more information to the public once it is available. For information, visit www.kcls.org.

Carrie Wood can be reached at cwood@kirklandreporter.com or 425-822-9166, ext. 5050.