There's no shortage of enthusiasm this spring for the Boyne Regional Library expansion/renovation project in Carman. Efforts to bring in $2 million dollars by 2018 kicked off this past March with an RCMP regimental ball and Committee Chair Susan Mooney says $275,000 dollars has already come in. "A major part of that (is) because of that wonderful anonymous donation we received...in March."

She adds committee members have also started to gather pledges and donations from various organizations, businesses and individuals. As well, the group is in the beginning stages of applying for a number of grants.

"And so now as we've been going out and talking to people, there's more money starting to come in."

In the interest of adding to this total, Mooney says the committee will be raffling off a children's playhouse this summer.

"This playhouse was designed by a young woman from Carman and then this group of gentlemen volunteered to built it and it's just about done."

She notes raffle tickets will be available starting around May Long Weekend and the draw will be made at the end of the Summer Reading Program that's run out of the Boyne Regional Library.

And while the committee continues to plan future fund raising events, Mooney stresses that people can make donations to the project at any time.

"All donations of any monetary value are very gratefully received."

Some initial concept drawings of the proposed expansion are on display at the Library and Mooney says it'll give people the chance to see what the new, bigger children's section will look like and the updated main entrance.

Meantime, also on the committee's agenda is a Children's Festival at Ryall Park coming up in June.

Mooney explains grades one to four students from Carman Elementary, Dufferin Christian and Elm Creek schools will participate.

"Half the group is going to come in the morning and half in the afternoon and there's going to be different activities that they're going to be doing."

She adds this event is also designed to raise awareness of the Summer Reading Program so the kids will enjoy a few stories being read to them as well.