A $1.2 million expansion of the McBurney Memorial Library in Welsh is on track to be completed by early 2025.

The new 2,800-square-foot addition, which is being constructed across the parking lot from the existing library, will include a meeting room for up to 85 people with a projector, screen and Wifi.

Other features will include two private study carrels, a prep kitchen, restrooms and additional storage and expanded parking. A covered walkway canopy will tie in the new addition to the existing library.

“This project keeps the unique aspects of the existing building while allowing us to address the needs of a meeting space and a quiet study area,” Library Director Michael Staton said..

The new addition will provide a safe place for children to enjoy programs, adults to learn and ease overcrowding for library staff.

“Welsh is one of our higher performers as far as programs and events,” he said. “It will be nice to have a building where we can do our programs and hold events without being overcrowded or disturbing others.”

The public will also be able to reserve the meeting space for smaller groups.

Staton the library is planning a soft opening followed by a grand opening celebration with entertainment and children’s activities.

“We want to have a big celebration to let the people of Welsh see the new building that we have been working on,” Staton said.

Construction on the project began last April. During that time Staton said library staff have managed to keep the library open and services going.

Staton said the new addition will ease overcrowding of the main library and provide a meeting room that will serve as the hub for special programs and small meetings.

The library is also working with the Friends of the Welsh Museum to host programs at the former home economic cottage located across the street.

“Once everything is on line it will be a real community space between the two buildings with shared parking,” he said.

Staton said getting the project off the ground was not an easy task.

Original plans were to build a completely new library, but the plans were scaled back to a building addition after increasing construction costs pushed the project over budget.

“We did not want to go into debt or burden the taxpayers with the project,” he said.

He credited former library directors Clare Coleman and Linda Corbello with the financial planning and foresight to help the project become a reality.