SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock Community Library raised more than $100,000 by the end of 2014.

Thanks to a grant pledged by an anonymous couple last year, that amount was matched, making a new library building more possible.

“It’s really happening now,” said Karen Pierce, librarian.

Jan Forrest, president of the library board, said the library fund has $267,000 right now.

The couple will match up to $300,000 in donations. Forrest said a goal is to raise $100,000 each year for the next two years.

The goal is to raise $500,000, which should cover most of the cost of the building.

The new building will be 3,000 square feet and will be a prefabricated metal building. It will be located at 330 E. Water St.

Part of the new building would be a technology area, which would feature a bank for computers. Pierce said it likely will start with four computers, but may expand to six to eight computers.

The extra space in the building also will allow for an expanded collection of books, magazines and movies, and would allow for additional programs and areas designated for adults, children and quiet study.

Forrest said a groundbreaking ceremony for the building is expected to take place in the spring of 2017.

‘Love Your Library’

Since Feb. 3, the library has been running a fundraiser called “Love Your Library,” where people can buy a paper heart to hang in the library for $1 or a larger donation.

Within the first four hours of the fundraiser, $86 had been raised.

The fundraiser is running through the end of February. Pierce said the goal is to have the hearts placed all over the library.

The need to grow

The library currently is a 283-square-foot room in the Slippery Rock Parks and Recreation Center. A new, larger library is needed, Pierce said.

“I would definitely say so,” Pierce said.

In 2014, the library had 8,076 patrons with 13,937 items checked out.

The library’s two computers also have gotten heavy use. Pierce said the biggest jump in computer users is among people who are looking for jobs or applying for assistance programs.

The library will turn 10 years old on June 5. Forrest said the library is planning some sort of celebration, but she said the details are not finalized yet.

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

How to donate

Tax deductible donations can be made through the library’s website, www.slipperyrocklibrary.com, where users can click on the “Donate” button to donate using a credit card or PayPal.

Donations also can be made by mailing a check made out to the Slippery Rock Community Library Building Fund to P.O. Box 25, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.