Plans continue to forge ahead for a two storey, eight thousand-four hundred square foot expansion to the Boyne Regional Library in Carman. The expansion would also include storage space in the basement. Back in May 2015 the Town of Carman and R.M. of Dufferin approved an initial improvement plan, leading the way for fund raising efforts to get started.

Expansion/renovation committee Chair Susan Mooney says to date, an architect and engineering firm have been secured and the duo have come up with a preliminary plan. She explains this plan is providing some guidance as to how much money the committee needs to raise, about $2 million.

Mooney says the RCMP Regimental Gala and Dinner being held in Carman in March will serve as a kick off to the overall fund raising campaign, explaining that proceeds from the event will benefit the expansion project.

While the committee hasn't set a timeline to reach its fund raising goal, Mooney says two or three years is a realistic expectation.

"We'll see how things proceed. We have some exciting things planned for the future and of course there's always looking at possible grants."

She notes the main priority right now is to create awareness of the project and what it's all about.

"I think that's really important, for people to know and understand what it is exactly we're hoping to accomplish with this expansion/renovation and why it is necessary."

Mooney adds there are several areas this project will focus on.

The first is an expanded and updated children's section. Mooney says the size of the current space is affectionately referred to a postage stamp.

The second area includes better accessibility at the front of the building.

"For anyone who has mobility issues, they have to go around the side of the building to the back and come in through the children's section. There are also moms with strollers and they have to come in that route too."

As for the second floor there will be a reading room, community classroom, a technology service area to include 3-D printing and animation, and a private study hall.