WELLS — 2015 is an important year for the Wells Public Library. For the past nine months, the library’s Board of Trustees has been overseeing the first phase of a capital fundraising campaign to support a new two-story, 13,700-square-foot wing.

This week, the library announced it has raised $530,000 ”“ one-third of the total capital commitment pledged by the Wells Library Foundation, a private fundraising initiative created to support the project while reducing the burden on taxpayers. The foundation has committed to raising $1.5 million for the project.

These funds were raised during the “quiet phase” of the foundation’s fundraising efforts, which commenced in March 2014.

According to foundation documents, the total price tag for the new building expansion is estimated to be $5.6 million. This also includes updates to the existing 11,430-square-foot structure.

Wells library currently serves 25,000 residents and property owners in five surrounding communities. That number swells to 40,000 in the summer, as visitors and seasonal employees flood the area.

“This library is the only organization in town that serves everybody from toddling 2-year-olds to toddling octogenarians,” said Amy Anderson, chair of the Board of Trustees and the Wells Library Foundation. “The building has served the public well, but it has become too small and outdated to adequately respond to changing public demands for modern-day services.”

“We as a board wanted to show the community that the trustees are committed to this effort so that taxpayers don’t have to be. The $1.5 million seems a reasonable amount to raise to demonstrate our commitment to this project,” said Anderson.

When all $1.5 million is pledged, the remaining $4.1 million is expected to come from a proposed bond, which could be voted on as early as November. If approved by voters, the project could break ground in early 2016.

Once completed, the expanded library will total 25,040 square feet.

The building will also be green-energy certified and outfitted with modern, 21st-century amenities.

“People sometimes say that libraries are becoming obsolete. This library is not obsolete and has been exponentially growing in programs and visits these many years. Our goal is to serve as the area’s center for intellectual, cultural and social enrichment,” said Anderson during a recent interview, as she laid out the building plans in detail.

The library is located on Post Road, Route 1, adjacent to the junior high school and within easy walking distance from the town’s high school.

“We are a gathering place for students on afternoons, on weekends and during school vacations. There is no distinct space for them and no designated computers for their use. Noise from the teen area carries throughout the library,” said Anderson, as she pointed out newly dedicated spaces for both teens and children. “They will be very separate from the rest of the library.”

Anderson was most excited about the 120-seat community program room, outfitted with a community-access television studio. The space can be rented for meetings and gatherings by outside groups, but will also provide a true meeting space for the public.

Other new spaces include a genealogy and history room, as well as a small café. A dedicated public maker’s space for artists will house a 3-D printer and serve as a place for cooking classes and science-oriented events. Anderson said plans also call for more efficient space for staff.

Expanding the library has been an eight-year undertaking. In 2006, the Board of Trustees began to assess and plan for the library’s current and future needs. To do so, Anderson said the board tapped into outside resources to conduct a space-utilization study and public survey. Outside experts also assessed the building’s ability to meet recommended state and national library standards for a town of Wells’ size.

“The conclusion of all of this work was that was that we need a larger, more functional and user-friendly resource,” said Anderson. “If we do not do something, the library would be unable to serve the community as it should in the years ahead.”

In 2013, with the final architectural plans in hand, library trustees received approval from the select board to move forward with a capital campaign.

According to Anderson, the project has been broadly supported by the community and has been endorsed by the Senior Center at Moody, York Hospital, The Conservation Commission, Parks and Recreation, Wells Historical Society, Rotary Club, the local superintendent of schools and the town manager.

“The trustees elected at-large, they have a pulse on the needs of the public and we are extremely supportive of their efforts to thoughtfully execute a capital campaign. The building expansion proposed is exciting and robust with room to grow the library’s mission into the future,” said Carter.

A leadership committee comprised of 10 members of the public and the library director is leading the foundation’s capital campaign. Efforts in 2014 were targeted toward educating and engaging large potential donors and community organizations.

Thus far, Anderson said the Board of Trustees has pledged $150,000 for the new community room. The Friends of the Wells Library have allocated $100,000 for the children’s room. Approximately $90,000 in grants has also been awarded from various organizations that support libraries, such as the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, Davis Family Foundation and Corning Incorporated Foundation. Individual donors have contributed $190,000.

Anderson said phase two of the capital campaign to the general public will commence this coming spring. The library is also seeking volunteers to join its Leadership Committee. Various sponsorship levels are available for donors who wish to have their names attributed to plaques or specific rooms. All donations to the Wells Public Library Foundation are tax-deductible. For more information, email [email protected].