WATERVILLE -- Waterville Public Library has raised about $600,000 in pledges in its campaign to renovate the more than 100-year-old building it calls home.

But that amount is still far shy of the $3.1 million needed to rehabilitate the city- owned, 1905 facility.

The library's capital campaign committee, though, is hopeful that the city will help close that gap by $1.5 million.

Committee members plan to make their case for such a contribution tonight when they meet with city councilors for a budget workshop.

The meeting is slated for 6 in City Council chambers.

"I think there will be quite a bit of discussion on it," City Council Chairman Dana W. Sennett said. "I know the city has an interest in supporting the project. I don't know if we will be able to support it at the proposed level, but we are certainly willing to look at some sort of support."

Sennett said in informal discussion the Council had mentioned a $750,000 contribution as a possibility.

City Manager Michael J. Roy considers the library project a worthy cause, but he said the city also has other building needs to consider.

"There is a big question (concerning the library funding request)," Roy said, "and I wouldn't be able to predict how it is going to fare at the Council meeting. I think the city and the Council recognize it is a city building and it's been a long time since anything substantial has been done there. At the same time, there are a lot of other capital-improvement needs, so we need to balance these needs."

Roy said the city wants to expand the main public works department garage on Wentworth Court. By doing so, he said, the city can act on its plan to move Parks and Recreation Department offices -- currently on Western Avenue -- into the building.

The move would create greater efficiencies for both departments, he said, given that the two work closely together on a daily basis.

The city also plans to build a separate building at Wentworth Court dedicated solely to repair and maintenance of vehicles and equipment.

Roy said the city has to be mindful as well that Waterville Senior High School, now more than 50 years old, is showing its age and needs to be replaced or given a major facelift.

Library Director Sarah Sugden realizes the city has multiple capital-improvement concerns. Yet she knows, too, that the library has asked for little city help in the past in regard to building maintenance or upgrades.

The last substantial addition to the library occurred in 1976, she said, and grants and private donations funded that project.

"This is the first time we have asked the city for so much," she said. "We have tried to be good stewards of the municipality, so we really hope city officials and residents see us as a good investment."

The $3.1 million renovation plan has three chief components: a single access point to the library by creating a modern entrance facing The Concourse; installation of an elevator; and a new heating and ventilation system.

Sugden considers the elevator the most critical need.

"Without an elevator there are entire (book) collections we have that are not accessible to people with disabilities," she said, "or to people for whom climbing stairs is difficult."

Sugden sees it as an issue of fairness.

"We just want the library to be able to offer safe, equal access. ... It is what public libraries' should do."

Colin Hickey -- 861-9205

chickey@centralmaine.com