New self-checkouts and more public computers will be part of an expansion that will nearly double the size of Salem Church Library in Spotsylvania County.
Meeting rooms, a larger media center, more space for book collections and an expanded children's area will be included in the 10,000-square-foot addition.
"It's been almost 15 years since the library's construction," said Betsy Fowler, branch services coordinator for the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. "This will be a modernization of the facility."
Fowler said expansion of the Salem Church Road site will meet demand for services and the need for additional space--especially for technology.
"What has really happened is the library's computers have become a major offering for the public because a lot of people still don't have access to online."
Flexible meeting spaces will serve as quiet study rooms and gathering areas for the 1,000 to 1,200 patrons who stop by each day. The expansion wing also will have access to the library's high-speed and wireless Internet.
The project is in the design phase, and bids for construction contracts will go out this summer.
Fowler said she hopes to keep the branch open as much as possible as expansion occurs. She expects work to end in late 2008.
Fowler said the $4.3 million expansion is funded with county bond money. Fowler said land for the library was donated by the Silver Cos. Space on the site was reserved for future expansion.
Salem Church Library is part of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, which is headquartered on Caroline Street in Fredericksburg.
Corey Byers: 540/735-1976
Email: cbyers@freelancestar.com