Mrs Green said they were "chock-a-block" with hundreds of reserved books too, which would have to be packed up or sent back to the libraries they came from.
"We really want people to pick up their reserve books."
She said, as part of the makeover, the carpet was being redone, the inside of the building was being repainted, and there would be new shelving with a completely new layout.
"The shelving is original to the building, it's very 70s with the orange."
They were also in imperial measurements so all the fittings would have to come off, she said.
"There will be a few new features that will make the materials more accessible.
"One important feature is that they will have a tilted bottom shelf."
Shelving will also be mobile in the children's section.
Mrs Green said the refurbishment was part of the council's long-term plan and will cost about $170,000.
It is the first refurbishment in more than 25 years.
She said a colour consultant had chosen a scheme of blues and neutrals, partly inspired by the James Greig artworks in the library, which is also the basis for its logo. "It's going to look pretty different."
Mrs Green said during the closure, an urgent internet service will be available at Wairarapa Archive for scanning, emails and printing but not for "half an hour on Facebook".
The council will also be offering faxing services for the same rate as the library.
The library's Wi-Fi will continue to work from 7.30am to 9.30pm and has about a 50 metre radius.
