Colfax’s tiny library will get a much-needed expansion starting this spring.

In December 2006, the Placer County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to buy the building that has been home to the Colfax Branch Library since 1976.

Purchase of the building at the corner of Church and Main streets meant the library would double in size – expanding from 1,870 square feet to nearly 3,600 feet.

With the relocation earlier this year of the Colfax Community Resource Center, which occupied one-third of the building, the county began to move forward with the expansion.

The Sacramento firm, Lionakis Beaumont Design Group, has already started the design process, noted Mark Parker, director of library services.

“The goal is to keep the outside design pretty much the way it is,” explained Don Mariano, principal with Lionakis.

The focus will be to revitalize the historic mission style with a fresh coat of paint and replace “the red clay tile on the eyebrows over the windows,” he continued.

Exterior plans include creating a handicapped parking space and access to the entrance, which will be moved from its current location to the Church Street side of the building.

“On the inside, we’re looking at a complete interior remodel of the building, including restoring the tin stamped ceiling (hidden under the current ceiling).”

The circulation desk and book drop will be placed next to the new entrance opening the area behind it for six computer carrel stations and a quiet reading area next to the large windows overlooking the park.

An area for the children’s and young adult book collections will be set up opposite the circulation desk with the remainder of the library collection set up throughout the back of the building.

The large vault once used by PG&E will be open on both sides, Mariano continued. He envisions the vault becoming a “time capsule” showcasing the community’s history, but indicated the final decision on what is displayed in there will be in the hands of the Friends of the Colfax Library.

“The idea is to create a time capsule of history or to showcase special collections,” he said.

A community meeting room will be added at the rear of the building, Mariano confirmed. The room will have a separate entrance and access to the ADA accessible restrooms making it available to rent to small groups after library hours.

Paint, tile and new carpeting throughout the interior will be in earth tones, primarily greens.

Parker is pleased with the efforts the design group has made to incorporate the building’s quirks, including preserving the large safe and the stamped tin ceiling throughout.

The Colfax Friends of the Library are equally pleased with the proposed plans. At a recent meeting, they were asked to review the proposed plans and color scheme.

“It took my breath away,” said Heidi Johnson, President of the Colfax Friends. “Keeping the integrity of our historical building and its wonderful architectural details in place is of the utmost importance.”

The group has been instrumental in getting the expansion to this point. Since 2003, they have raised nearly $10,000 to help furnish the expanded facility.

“Now is the time to become a part of the exciting process,” Johnson continued. “We have many decisions to make as this project moves forward. We need to hear from you.”

She invites anyone interested working on behalf of the library to attend the Colfax Friends’ meetings, which start at 11 a.m. on the third Thursday of the month at the Colfax Library.

Giving the project the proverbial shot in the arm was Placer County’s acquisition of display tables, circulation desks, checkout counters and shelving from the now-closed Borders’ bookstore at the Westfield Galleria in Roseville.

The county purchased the furnishings for $12,000 to use in the Colfax and Rocklin library expansions. The furnishings will remain in storage until they are needed,

Work will begin on the vacant portion of the building next spring, Parker noted.

“When that’s finished, we will attempt to move the library across into the new section,” he said. “We might have to put a portion of the collection in storage. We’ll do everything we can to maintain a presence while construction is underway.”

He anticipates the expansion will be completed by 2010.