A groundbreaking ceremony for Lehighton Area Memorial Library’s expansion project will take place at 4 p.m. Feb. 19.

At that time, the library also plans to launch a capital campaign, which will be to help equip the building and replace some of the funds that will be taken from its operating reserve, according to library director Melissa Hawk.

“We are inviting a lot of the people who supported us in the past to enjoy the celebration of the project taking off,” Hawk said. “We will have a donor tree in the children’s part of the new addition that is being done by a local craftsman which will be not only a donor appreciation wall where you can get your name up there forever, but it’s also going to be a really nice piece of artwork to help anchor the children’s room.”

Hawk expounded on the idea to hold the capital campaign in conjunction with the groundbreaking.

“Also, we picked that day also to let them know that there are naming opportunities, pieces of equipment and different parts of the addition that can be sponsored in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone,” she said. “Just to kind of give people the idea of what the need is and how they can help.”

Hawk noted that the library continually writes grants, receives some government funding, and gets a lot of its support from individuals, organizations and businesses in the area.

“We are presently looking for other sources of revenue,” she said. “We would like to raise some additional funds which will help us complete and sustain the project.”

Hawk said interest in the project has been widespread, as some of the work has already begun.

“We have been seeing excitement from our patrons since the beginning of the project,” she said. “Our children during story time run to the window to look out, and the parents are excited that the library will have a dedicated space where their children can explore and learn, and where they can spend time with other families in a more comfortable environment.”

Last month, borough council awarded the bid for the library expansion project to R.C. Construction Associates Inc. in the amount of $391,122.

The bid award was based on the recommendation of Keystone Consulting Engineering Inc. and the library board for the building addition at the library at 124 North St.

R.C. Construction was the low bidder for the project, with two other companies turning in proposals.

Proposed work will include the construction of a proposed 29-by-50-foot addition.

The proposed improvements will also include all the required site improvements; the construction of a new ADA access ramp; and all necessary utility service connections.

Hawk said the library plans to use a Keystone Recreation Park and Conservation Fund Grant it received in the amount of $169,699 toward the building addition. She said it’s a matching grant, and the library will have to contribute to help meet the project cost.

The grant will be used for the construction project, which includes the 1,433-square-foot addition for youth services, community room, two ADA restrooms and a renovated front entrance.

Hawk said the addition will give the library many more options as far as programs are concerned, more space for the programs, and make it easier for people to come and spend time at the library.

She said it will also allow the library to move all of the children’s items into another area, give the library more room in the current area for adults to stay and be able to read, and the community room will give them a private place to meet.

Hawk said the library will also be open to community groups so that they also have another option of where to meet in the community, as the library has an average of just under 100 people coming through the building a day.

This marked the second time the project was bid out after borough council in November rejected the bids that were received after they came in between $100,000 to $200,000 over the library’s budget.

The borough received three bids at that time, including CMG Easton, $496,215; Bracy Construction, $548,500; and Multiscape Inc. $576,821.

As a result, the borough — in conjunction with the library — requested a 12-month extension from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, for which the library has been granted.

Twenty-seven public libraries in 18 counties were awarded $6.8 million in Keystone Grants to use toward improving physical facilities.

The Lehighton Area Memorial Library is open from 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays, 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information, visit www.lehightonlibrary.com.