AUGUSTA — As the construction crew renovating and more than doubling the size of Lithgow Public Library reaches the halfway point and the addition takes shape, officials have plans to incorporate pieces of the historic 1896 original structure, both literally and symbolically, into the new.

The original granite block structure still stands, with a new addition taking the place, and then some, of a rectangular addition made to the building in 1979, roughly mirroring the appearance of the original.

Library Director Betsy Pohl photographs the work underway during a tour of the Lithgow Public Library in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

The addition’s not-yet-installed roof, too, is expected to match the appearance of the old structure, with rubber terra cotta-colored faux slate roofing custom-colored.

Inside, the metal end pieces from the original library stacks, each with the name of donors to the original library construction project on them, will be used to decorate the walls of a large meeting room. Also, the wide, grand staircase between the first and second floors will be made of granite salvaged from the demolished 1979 addition.

And a large, ornate stained glass window salvaged from the rounded waiting room of the 1913 former railroad station on Water Street, featuring the Maine motto “Dirigo,” or “I lead,” will be mounted just inside the library’s new main entrance.

“One of the neatest things about the project is the way we’re integrating historical pieces into it,” said Elizabeth Pohl, library director.

Some aspects of the old library setup, such as the children’s room in the dark basement, the lack of a dedicated area for teens, and stacks so close together they were inaccessible by people in wheelchairs, won’t be missed, or duplicated.

The new children’s room is now above ground on the first floor, with a story hour reading area with large windows on three sides letting in light.

“Up out of the basement and onto the main floor where they should be,” Pohl said of the move of the youth services area.

One floor up is a dedicated space for teens, with books geared to that age range, something absent altogether in the old, cramped library.

Phil Johnston, hired to serve as owner’s representative on the construction project, said the work is projected to come in under budget.

And Pohl said construction is “a couple months” ahead of schedule, allowing the library to be ready for occupancy this summer. That could lead to additional savings because it would allow the library to move out of its leased temporary home at the Ballard Center sooner than expected.

“We’re all excited. That’s great news,” Mayor David Rollins said of the library construction being ahead of schedule.

City voters last June approved bonding $8 million to renovate and expand the public library. That money will be supplemented by about $2.2 million previously raised privately by Friends of Lithgow Library.

Scott Small, treasurer of Friends of Lithgow, told city councilors last week the group plans to donate an additional $350,000 for the project, plans to keep raising money and hopes to reach a total donation of $3 million.

Winthrop-based J.F. Scott Construction is the firm contracted to build the addition and restore the older part of the building.

Among the more unusual aspects of the construction was that a portion of the adjacent Pleasant Street was lowered more than a foot as part of the project. Johnston said that will help avoid basement flooding.

“It’s a city project and the city can look at things holistically,” Johnston said of being able to lower the section of street.

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