Construction at the Bosler Memorial Library in Carlisle is on schedule and the new and improved building will be ready for a mid-December debut, library director Linda Rice said.

“We’re right on target and we anticipate moving books out of the east wing to the first floor level during the first week of December,” Rice said, as heavy machinery from the ongoing work nearly drowned out the director’s voice.

All will be complete after shelving is completed on the second floor of the library and the Children’s department is moved from the meeting room to its new home, according to Rice.

Renovating the 112-year-old library was an idea staff members first came up with in 2002.

A long-range study of Cumberland County libraries completed over a two-year period in 2003 and 2004 found that Bosler was the library that most needed to expand.

Bosler Trustees decided to build a two-story addition to the library’s current building and completely renovate the existing spaces.

Because of the renovation, floor space at the library will double to 38,000 square-feet.

A $2.5 million state grant approved in 2010, along with money already saved by the library, was used in the overall renovation cost. The library’s capital campaign solicited $6.7 million, of which $6.3 million has been collected.

“Our capital campaign ended in August, so we can’t solicit any new funds, but there are those who have made pledges that we expect will deliver by the end of the year,” Rice said.

Previously, officials had expected the renovation project to be completed next year, but a mild winter last year contributed to the progress.

Overall, the renovation will result in a larger children’s library with a dedicated story time room and double the space for young library users. Improved access to high-speed Internet and reference database computers, an expanded fiction, spoken books, a DVD wing and a new community meeting room will all be highlights of the renovated building.

The renovation also creates a larger space for the Bookery, a shop with gently used books operated by the Friends of the Bosler Library.

Also, Bosler’s original grand entrance will be open during Bookery hours and the Lila stained glass window has been restored and will regularly serve as a showcase in the second floor atrium reading area.

“We are also going to have new lighting, painting and carpeting and then we will be done,” Rice said. “Now it’s time for someone else to have their day in the sun. We’ve renovated, we’ve had our day.”