The large wall clock above the front desk area at the Port Arthur Public Library proclaims, “Live a thousand lives… read books.” Pretty soon, the public will have a chance to browse through a brand new version of the library.

You could call it “library 2.0.”

Workers were busy installing lighting and other amenities in the children’s section of the soon-to-open library Friday while staff and student assistants were engrossed in applying new labels to books.

New, energy efficient LED lighting has been added, color coded carpet — gray with blue squares in the main section, gray with primary colors in the children’s section and gray with purple squares in the Lucy Stiefel Gallery also gives the library some pizzazz and the unique doorways to the children’s area garner attention.

But there’s more to be done, library director Steven Williams and assistant library director Jenniffer Hudson Connors said.

“In any construction project there are logistical needs,” Connors said, ticking off a list including electrical, fire alarms, additional furniture and more. “We are in the process of ordering replacement books and catching up and also additional shelving for the reference collection.”

Williams noted that there are no computers yet. The library will be adding more to the children’s section — which is separate from the adult section, adding computers to the adult section and bringing in some laptops for people who may want to sit and use one at the library.

The children’s section, she said, will have an Innovation Center where the desks are whiteboards and science-based activities will be encouraged along with other activities.

Many have missed the library, it seems, since it was flooded during Tropical Storm Harvey.

“In a year we have had 5,473 online book (eBook) checkouts,” she said.

About 40 percent of the library’s collection was salvaged and more books are on order, he said.

While work is going quickly, there’s no need to rush.

“We want it to open in the correct manner and make sure we meet and surpass the public’s expectations. “Library 2.0,” he said. “This comes with a lot of thought and work strategy. It’s a team effort.”

Connors agreed.

“We want to do our due diligence,” she said. “We want to be good stewards and are cognizant we are spending taxpayer money.”

Besides furnishings, books and furniture there is also the need for new programing and that’s in the works. These include an adult book club and Throwback Thursdays with Retro Game Night where families can come in and play games such as Monopoly, Scrabble and Clue.

The library board has pitched in to help as well — colorful awnings can be seen on the outside of the library, there are some upgrades to other areas and a statue by artist David Cargill that stood in front of the library from 1981 to 2014 — before it was stolen — will be replaced.

A tentative date for the reopening isn’t set but Williams said it will be before Mardi Gras, which falls in early March.