Chronicle photos by Andrew Temple Mayor Jim Auxer does the honors of painting the first book spine during Monday evening’s event to mark an additional $100,000 raised toward the Shepherdstown Library’s $2.95M goal.

Town Council and various community members were on hand Monday evening to celebrate a step forward in the fundraising efforts for the Shepherdstown Library’s new facility.

The library painted the first $20,000 book spine on the thermometer board in May. An additional five spines were painted on Monday to mark the $100,000 raised since April.

“We painted five spines today to celebrate $100,000 in new monies raised,” said Lee Ann Warner, Director of Library Development for the library.

According to Warner, roughly $50,000 came from the Corporation of Shepherdstown, with Jefferson Security Bank contributing the additional half.

The library is steadily marching toward their $2.95 million goal with $2.475 million raised thus far; $2.35 million raised alone in the silent fundraising phase. With the goal within sight, the library intends to begin construction early next year.

Janna Bond paints a book spine as a representative for Jefferson Security Bank, one of the donors.

“(We are) hoping to begin construction in congruence with Colonial Hills Phase 3 in spring 2018,” Warner said. “Their plans are under review currently and moving along. It’ll go quickly once we submit our plans, and we anticipate beginning to build when they do.”

While the new facility will cover roughly 11,200 square feet, the library’s current 2,000 square foot building will still serve resource purposes for the community.

“Our old building will stay a library for the foreseeable future. The downstairs will be used for check-in and out, while the upstairs will be more for local history and genealogy resources,” Warner said.

With the library on track to begin construction this coming spring, Shepherdstown is sure to quickly have a new library facility to enjoy and explore.

Jack Strum looks on as his sister, Norah, both of Shepherdstown, paints book spines.