Nearly $340,000 is on its way back to five local municipalities.
The money comes from surplus cash leftover over from the Essex County library strike.
The funds will be used for various library improvements in Amherstburg, Essex, Kingsville, Lakeshore and Leamington which tops the list receiving over $98,000.
Mayor John Paterson says the money will be going toward a major revamp.
"A total revitalization of our library. Expanding, adding more square footage to it and an entirely modern design as to what will be inside unlike most of the libraries in the county. So yes, we're thrilled to see that $98,000 come back to us. We're anywhere from $750,000 to $1-million. That's what we'll be spending on library. It's been a long time. I think we probably have the only library in this whole system that has not been upgraded forever, basically. So it's long overdue. We're really glad to get it."
Leamington Mayor John Paterson (right) and Leamington Deputy Mayor Hilda McDonald attend the County of Essex's regular meeting of council on April 19, 2017. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Paterson says the upgrades are planned to help meet the needs of the community.
"We have different needs and different services required in Leamington versus all the rest because of the immigrant workers that come and then, also, our local citizens. We have a shortage of certain things and we've got some really big plans."
The 231 day country library strike resulted in a $790,000 surplus.
The remainder of the money will be kept in a reserve which can be accessed by municipalities for future branch upgrades.
Below is a shot of what each municipality will be doing with its refund:
With no debate @EssexCountyON Council passes recommendation to return a total of $338k to @Aburg_TownHall, @EssexON, @KingsvilleOnt, @TownofLakeshore & @TweetLeamington. Here's what the money will be used for: #cklw pic.twitter.com/D2392VGYfq
— Zander Broeckel (@zbroeckel800) February 8, 2018