EVERETT — Doors of the Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library are set to reopen with a ribbon-cutting ceremony 2 p.m. Friday Dec. 6., a year after the building closed for a long-awaited remodel.

The south branch, at 9512 Evergreen Way, is expanding by about 65%, adding about 5,600 square feet of space. The remodel space includes updated technology, more meeting room space, a children’s activity room, a laptop bar and additional parking spaces.

“It will offer state-of-the-art amenities and gathering space, along with new services and resources to better meet the needs of our diverse, growing community,” Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin said in a press release.

The project is expected to come in under the estimated budget of $6.9 million, according to Julio Cortes, a spokesperson for the city of Everett.

In 2018, the city delayed the project after the price tag grew to more than $8 million. Reductions both big and small were made to trim costs.

Large cuts included the elimination of an enclosure to house the old bookmobile — Pegasus — and the Big Wheel reading nook for kids.

An early plan displayed the antique bookmobile in the lobby. The 1924 Ford Model T truck chassis with a fruit vendor-style van body is now set to be loaned to the Everett Museum of History.

The Everett Public Library system includes two buildings, the main library downtown and the branch on Evergreen Way. Starting Dec. 1, library hours are adjusting slightly. Both branches will close at 6 p.m. Mondays, but stay open until 8 p.m. Thursdays.

The city hopes to expand passport services to the Evergreen branch after adding it to the main building this year.

Lizz Giordano: 425-374-4165; egiordano@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @lizzgior.