To celebrate the start of construction for the new 5,000 square foot Carnation Library, a ground breaking party is 3 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at 4804 Tolt Ave.

The new library is being constructed at the existing library site.

With gold shovels in hand, local dignitaries will join KCLS Director Bill Ptacek in breaking ground. With small shovels of their own, children wearing miniature hard hats will also take part in the ceremony.

Entertainment during the event will be provided by a local group, the Budget Funeral Band. After the groundbreaking, Lolo the Clown will create balloon animals for children, people may tour the ABC Express vehicle and refreshments will be provided by the Carnation Friends of the Library.

Construction of the new $2.98 million library is part of the $172 million capital bond, approved by voters to fund major upkeep and expansion of KCLS libraries. The library is being constructed together with four other libraries as a design-build project, which has more cost assurance than traditional building methods as the cost of the project is established prior to the start of construction. The new library will include a community meeting room, children’s and teen areas and more space for studying and reading.

During construction, patrons may visit a temporary library location at 4610 Stephens Ave., for book drop, holds pick-up, computers, a small browsing collection and story times on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Saturday, 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and closed Friday and Sunday.