The lack of space in the Greater Canonsburg Public Library spawned a dream 10 years ago of building a larger library.

Now, after years of ideas, planning and fund raising, a groundbreaking finally may be in sight. A few things still need to be completed before any dirt can be moved, but it could happen before the end of the year.

The proposed two-story, 30,000-square-foot building would be nearly 10 times larger than the present library in the municipal building on Pike Street.

Plans call for the new library to have entrances on North Jefferson Avenue and Murdock Street and be named the Frank Sarris Public Library after the hometown candy maker who has donated $1.5 million to the fund-raising campaign.

It would have departments for children, young adults and adults; conference rooms; a multipurpose room; computer lab; a historical and genealogical section; and a technology center.

"We are so close now," Judy Hersh, a member of the library's board of trustees, told the North Strabane supervisors recently. "We just want to get going."

The library serves nearly 30,000 patrons in the Canon-McMillan School District, which serves Canonsburg, Cecil and North Strabane.

Canonsburg council voted Aug. 11 to turn the property over to the library board for $1. In turn, state Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, agreed to provide a grant for $51,000 -- council's asking price for the property -- in 2009. Council also asked for a construction timetable and proof of available financing. Both statements were presented to council over the past two weeks.

Manuel Pihakis, vice president of the library's board of trustees, expects the Washington County commissioners to approve the sale Thursday.

The Washington County Redevelopment Authority, which holds the deed to the property, was instructed to turn the deed over to the library.

Canonsburg Councilman Richard Russo said he received information from the redevelopment authority that it wants another environmental study and wants the Canonsburg Renaissance Group to deed a portion of its property from the former Mac Plastics site for a parking lot.

The informal timeline given to council lists Nov. 12 as the ground-breaking date, but that is contingent upon getting the deed.

After the library board receives the deed, which Mr. Pihakis believes could happen in a couple of weeks, construction bids will be sent out.

The bidding process is expected to last two or three months, and construction is expected to last about 18 months.

Mr. Pihakis said the building campaign has $2.9 million in donations, $1 million from a state grant and a $1.5 million line of credit. But the board hopes to avoid using its line of credit, said Ila Stabile, fundraising campaign director.

"We still need more money," she said.

The library is continuing its fund-raising campaign, and Mrs. Stabile said she'd like to raise another $2 million to fulfill the library's "wish list."

The campaign committee will mail donation requests to more than 28,000 residents and will make proposals to corporations.

The campaign also offers donor plaques for $500 to $10,000 or naming rights for each of 11 rooms, which range from $15,000 to $25,000, or $100,000 to $200,000 for a larger room.

Mr. Russo said the borough's part in the project is complete and council would like to see construction get started.

"I truly believe it will happen. I truly believe it will be built and it will be what everyone thinks it should be," Mr. Russo said.

"We all agree it's going to be a huge anchor for the borough."

Mr. Pihakis hopes the groundbreaking will take place by the end of the year.

"We're just very excited that things are really starting to roll now, and everything is starting to fall into place," he said.

"The library is the centerpiece of any town. It's going to draw people into this area who've never been here before."

The library may hold a celebration when the groundbreaking takes place, Mrs. Stabile said.

"People would love to see that shovel in the ground and so would we. It's been a long process," she said.

"This has been everybody's dream," said Susan Poore, president of the library board of trustees. "I think this has been long overdue."