As we reported yesterday, the Menlo Public Library is having one of its main annual fundraisers today and tomorrow to raise money for the library’s summer programming and new books, but Library Director Annette Murphy says she’s working to come up with additional fundraising ideas and events in the months ahead.

Why, you might ask?

Well, with a cement pad sitting unoccupied to the east of the library, Murphy says she’s trying to expand.

“It equals approximately the same amount of square footage that we have now, which is about 635 square feet.  We are going to put the addition that far out so we will be doubling our floor space, giving us a little more room for books, a little more room for the kids’ section, and we’ll be able to create a quiet reading/sitting area for adults.”

A space in the expanded library will also be reserved for a Menlo history and genealogy section, something Murphy is particularly excited about.

“I’ve looked at picture of this town back in its day when the railroad was coming through and it was so thriving… it has a lot of history.  Pictures of the main street just show all kinds of businesses and people, and it’s always been one my desires to create a whole history section but we just haven’t had the space to do.  When we get our addition built, we will have the space.”

Blueprints for the library’s expansion have been drawn up, but Murphy is unsure when construction will begin.  She hopes to see it started within the next couple of months.

Murphy adds that the library’s expansion will be funded solely through fundraising and grants.