SLIPPERY ROCK — Thanks to a couple willing to donate up to $300,000, a new building for the Slippery Rock Community Library is closer to reality.

The library board announced that an anonymous retired couple has pledged to match any donations that come in by Dec. 31, 2016 up to $300,000, which could net $600,000 for the library.

“I think everyone here will be encouraging their friends and neighbors to pledge as much as they can,” said borough Councilman Ken Harris.

“This matching grant is a beautiful opportunity to help make our community an even better place to live,” he said.

The new building will be 3,000 square feet and be situated at 330 E. Water St. The library bought the land in August 2011 for $60,000.

Jan Forrest, president of the library board, said it first learned of the matching grant in May. Since then, the project has received $40,000 in donations, including a $25,000 grant from the Snyder Charitable Foundation. She said all of that money will be matched.

She said the new building would permit the library to expand its collection of books, movies and magazines; to make room for additional computers and WiFi for public use; to increase programs; to have designated areas for children, youth and adults, and to have quiet areas for reading and studying.

She also said there will be meeting space and additional parking.

Forrest said the fund has about $175,000. She said the library has raised more than that, but some of it has been used for building expenses.

Before construction can begin, the board wants to have the needed $400,000 to cover the cost of the building, Forrest said. She hopes that can be done by spring 2016.

The current library is housed in a room in the Slippery Rock Parks and Recreation center providing just 283 square feet. It gets 300 to 500 visitors each month. Last year, the library had 8,000 visitors, and Forrest said it does not have sufficient space for visitors or programs.

The library opened in that location in 1981 as a paperback facility and became a full library in 2005.

Forrest said private donations to the building fund are essential since no state or federal funds are available for construction.

Tax-deductible donations or pledges can be sent to the Slippery Rock Community Library Building Fund, P.O. Box 25, Slippery Rock, PA 16057. Pledges and inquiries also can be e-mailed to srcl@bcfls.org.

For information, call the library at 724-738-9179.