As the new St. Cloud Public Library building starts to take shape, supporters are beginning a fundraising effort to put useful things inside it.

A kickoff event to raise more than $2 million for more books, DVDs, computers, automated sorting equipment, public art and other features will bring people to “Library After Hours” at the old library this afternoon.

Library officials expect an increase of at least 50 percent in visitors and use at the new library in its first year, said Verne Oleksowicz, deputy director of the Great River Regional Library system.

“We’ll be moving over the computers and the collections from the old library,” he said. “But we’d really like to offer something special when people walk through the doors on opening day.”

Construction on the $30 million library between Minnesota Highway 23 and St. Germain Street from 12th Avenue to 14th Avenue is now more than halfway complete. Fundraising co-chairs Bernice Berns and Marjorie Hawkins aim to have enough money in hand by the time it opens next summer for it to be well-stocked.

Gearing up

People and organizations have pledged at least $250,000 so far in a quiet, leadership phase of the campaign, Berns said.

Today’s event will bring the campaign into full public view, she said.

Almost half of the money raised would go toward buying 40,000 more books and materials to complement the 100 percent increase in shelving and display space at the new library.

Another $750,000 would pay for an automated sorting system that would get books back on the racks or distributed to one of the 31 other libraries in the six counties Great River serves more quickly and efficiently, Oleksowicz said.

Another $205,000 would go toward 60 new public access computers, self-checkout stations, wireless Internet access throughout the library and assistive technology for people with hearing and visual impairments. Another priority is raising $125,000 for commissioned public art for the courtyard, lobby and children’s space.

Taking shape

Features that were originally on the optional list, such as a granite-clad exterior and a “green roof,” are already in place or taking shape, said David Leapaldt of GLT Architects, St. Cloud.

The green roof will collect rainwater in a grassy turf over part of the first floor.

Leapaldt’s firm is working with Minneapolis-based MS&R Architects, which is heading the project.

“Anywhere you don’t see an exterior wall right now, there’s going to be glass,” he said. “All the exterior walls are pretty much in place. There’s going to be a lot of natural light for such a big building.”

The savings in reduced lighting bills will more than compensate for heat loss due to the many windows, but the new glass that will be used is much better able to trap heat inside and repel ultraviolet rays.

It is more durable than glass used to be, Leapaldt said.

The granite exterior, green roof and other improvements that might have required a fundraising effort of their own were possible from the start because competitive bidding on the project brought down its cost from estimates, Oleksowicz said.