Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Foley is set to begin construction on its new library and community center.

A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 11 a.m. The event will be held at the future library site, located at 230 E. Orange Ave. in Foley, next to the Foley Dog Park.

The building will have almost 40,000 square feet of space and be about twice the size of the current facility next to City Hall.

The facility will also be a community center, with a meeting space, an auditorium, computer labs and study rooms.

Plans call for the library to be a two-story building. The ground floor will include a children's area and a multipurpose room. The multipurpose room can serve as a meeting space and auditorium. 

The children’s area will be expanded and include computers and an activity room that can also be used for story times for young children. The library will also have a separate area for teens.

The second floor will include the adult section and computer labs. The second floor will also have more study rooms than the current facility.

Other facilities planned for the new library include a STEAM-STEM lab and spaces for programs such as special-needs activities.