ELKHART — A delay in the renovation process has pushed the reopening of the Elkhart Public Library back until Wednesday.

Officials had hoped that the changes to the library would be completed in time to open today, but a slight issue with the new carpet forced the delay.

“The installation is going a little bit slower than we expected,” said Deb Stewart, library director. Stewart said this has not been the first issue they have had with the carpet. The renovators actually had to return the first batch that they received.

Barring any more issues, however, the second floor of the building is set to open at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The first floor will then be shut down for what Stewart hopes is only two more weeks of carpeting and moving books and furniture.

During that time, the fiction collection will be the only section not available, while the children’s collection will be available in the Bookmobile on High Street.

While the first floor is being renovated, the entrance to the library will also be off High Street.

The renovations, underway since October, include a children’s reading room and new technology areas.

Officials hope is that the first renovations in 20 years will help the library run more efficiently with fewer staff since the budget has been reduced in recent years.

The library plans to hold an open house sometime in the spring once all the changes are completed.

For more information on the renovation process, visit either www.myepl.org or the library’s Facebook page.