Thanks to

the availability of special state grant funds, Peachtree

City may soon get a children's library addition built in

the next few years.

The Library

Commission approved a master plan at its meeting

Wednesday night that included the 10,000-square-foot

facility, which is planned to encompass two stories. On

the bottom floor would be the children's books and the

check-out system; on the top floor are plans for a stage

and an activity/story room.

The

commission originally planned for the children's addition

to begin in 2003. But after the recent retreat with the

City Council, it was decided to fast-track the project so

the city could apply for the state grant funds, said

Randy Gaddo, director of leisure services for Peachtree

City.

The master

plan calls for the facility to be staffed by a full-time

children's librarian and two part-time assistants. The

children's librarian could help add programs for all

youth, such as story time, which currently is held twice

a week and limited to children ages 3-5, the document

states.

The extra

space on the bottom floor could be used to expand the

library's children's book collection, which currently

holds only 357 of 640 award-winning children's books

according to the master plan.

The

children's library might be able to provide services such

as after school programs, homework assistance programs

and services for special needs children.

The plan

for the children's library structure will be presented to

the council at one of its July meetings, Gaddo said.