Dignitaries with blue hardhats and golden shovels broke ground last week for a project that will more than double the size of the Cortez Public Library.

The $1.5 million project, scheduled for completion late next winter, will add 10,000 square feet to the existing 8,000 and will provide additional space for books, computers and offices. After the addition is completed, library operations will move into that space while the current library building is remodeled. Construction will take place on the north side of the building, and when finished, the facility will face west.

Southwest Contracting is the general contractor for the project, and R. Michael Bell & Associates, of Durango, is responsible for design.

Funded mostly by the City of Cortez, the library expansion will not require any additional taxes. Part of the funding is coming from a State of Colorado Energy Impact Grant.

The Boettcher Foundation, the Gates Family Foundation and the El Pomar Foundation have together contributed $35,000 to the project, and $25,000 in local contributions has been pledged. That fund-raising meant that an additional 600 square feet could be added to the plans.

The Friends of the Cortez Public Library gave $5,000 and created an opportunity to raise additional money from a silent auction the bank hosted in conjunction with the grand opening of its East Main branch. Michael Bell & Associates, Southwest Contracting and Citizens State Bank each contributed $2,050. The Cortez Kiwanis Club has given $1,050 and pledged another $1,000 to the contents, and the Cortez Rotary Club added $1,000.

Seventy-seven other donations, most of them 100 or more, came from organizations, businesses and individuals in the community.