As construction continues on the new Foley Public Library, the facility is receiving additional funding from outside sources that will expand services and technology available to the community.

The new library is under construction on East Orange Avenue south of U.S. 98 and is scheduled for completion later this year. The two-story facility will feature more than 40,000 square feet of space, nearly doubling the size of the current library building, which opened in 1984.

The additional space will allow the library to expand programs, technology and community services.

The Foley City Council voted Monday, May 4, to accept a $20,000 Library Services and Technology Act Strengthening Youth and Family Grant. Library Director Kate Norris said the grant will help equip the library’s new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) Learning Lab.

“This room in the library is going to be used for learning. We’re going to call it the Learning Lab,” Norris said. “We already implement learning opportunities at the library, and this will be used to expand that.”

Norris said the grant will allow the library to add more technology and hands-on learning opportunities for programs and activities.

“We want to be smart about what we purchase. We want to make sure that it will be beneficial,” she said. “We’re going to get a lot of use out of it. We’re super excited about this and it’s moving very quickly.”

The new library will also include a sensory room designed to provide a comfortable and supportive environment for users with a variety of needs. Norris said a donation from the Foley Woman’s Club will provide $19,200 for equipment for the space.

“Because it’s such a nice donation, we would like to request naming this space the Foley Woman’s Club Sensory Nook,” Norris told council members.

Sensory spaces in libraries are designed to offer a range of experiences and environments, including areas where visitors can study, decompress or relax.

The council also voted to accept a $2,000 donation from State Rep. Donna Givens to purchase general technology for the new library.

“Y’all have an amazing library and you have a new one under construction,” Givens said. “This is just something that I want to do annually.”

“Thank you all for what you do. I appreciate each and every one of you,” she added.