EAGLE POINT — Ceremonial shovels are poised to break ground on Eagle Point’s new 8,512-square-foot library this week.

Barring inclement weather, the groundbreaking will commence at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the site adjacent to City Hall at 239 W. Main St.

Branch supervisor Jeannette Blankenship said if rain threatens to dampen the ceremonies, the event will take place at the Ashpole Community Center, 17 Buchanan Ave.

A 12-member local design committee provided information on community needs to Skelton, Straus & Siebert Architects.

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The spacious craftsman-style building will replace the circa 1977, 3,000-square-foot, wood-framed library in use a block away at 158 E. Main St.

Blankenship said patrons were definitely ready for more room.

"We’ve outgrown this library," she said.

Ted Stark, Upper Rogue regional manager for Jackson County, said the project was delayed for a few months after the library’s first bids came in over budget.

The design teams went back to the drawing board. Keeping the majority of the public spaces and stack sizes intact, they decided to reduce the seating in the community meeting room from 80 to 50 seats and redesigned the heating/air-conditioning system.

"We figured Eagle Point already had several public meeting places," said Stark. "With those two modifications, the bids came in under budget."

Acme West of Medford won the construction bid. If the project stays on schedule, it should be ready for readers in nine or 10 months, Stark said.

"We’re hoping they’ll begin construction officially in a couple weeks," said Stark. "We’re probably looking at a fall (2004) grand opening."

Funding for the $1.6 million building came from a countywide $38.9 million library bond passed by voters in May 2000.

Stark said that so far, six of Jackson County’s 15 new or expanded libraries have been completed — Applegate, Ashland, Jacksonville, Rogue River, Ruch and White City.

Construction on Medford’s library is nearly complete, with a grand opening anticipated April 4.

Central Point, Gold Hill and Prospect libraries are in the design phase. New libraries are also planned in Butte Falls, Phoenix, Shady Cove and Talent.

For information on the Eagle Point library or any other libraries slated for construction, visit the Jackson County Library Services Web site at www.rebuildourlibraries.org.

Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail sspecht@mailtribune.com.