As you near the top of the stairs inside the Barrington Public Library, the bright red entrance to the new children's room greets you.

The flash of color brightens the interior of the 100-year-old building and the glass doors beckon young readers to draw closer, to take a look inside, to see what the room has to offer.

It is that promise of adventure and excitement that library officials and designers of the second-floor renovations speak about first when they are asked to discuss the upcoming project. They talk about the opportunity to use the reconfigured space as a tool to enhance children's imaginations, not just house shelves full of books and videos.

"This is designed for kids, but not in a childish way," said Christopher Blessen, an associate with Tappé who is working on the redesign.

Mr. Blessen said some of the new features will offer young readers' imaginations something different every time they visit the library.

"The design will not complete their imagination," he said.

The second floor library renovation project bond was approved by voters at the May financial town meeting, and shortly after receiving approval officials went to work hiring Tappé Associates. The firm, which specializes in library and education construction projects, also completed the library's first floor renovation 10 years ago.

Designers from Tappé have built a plan that repurposes much of the second floor space — along with a new children's room, there will be new public meeting rooms, relocated staff offices, and the separation of the auditorium and gallery space. Separating the auditorium and gallery will allow for both spaces to be used independently.

The project — it is being called "A New Chapter Begins Upstairs" — is slated to begin this February, but an exciting kick-off is actually planned for this month.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, the library will host a free concert by Johnny the K. The event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the library and officials will also be on hand to share details about the building project.

While kids are at the concert they can register for a town-wide fund-raiser for the project. Rudy's Read-A-Thon, named after the children's guinea pig, offers children the opportunity to gather pledges for reading. Children will read and record minutes read — parents and others can pledge money for time spent reading.

"The Read-A-Thon's goal is to promote reading as a fun and exciting activity," stated a press release from the library. "At the same time this exciting journey allows children of Barrington to contribute directly to the creation of vibrant new children’s room for young visitors and their families."

Officials expect the construction to be completed about 6 to 8 months after it begins. Children's books and other materials will still be available — officials are moving part of the collection to the second-floor gallery space once work starts — throughout the project.

"We're still keeping the children's room open," said Deb Barchi, the library director. "We couldn't just close it down."

Ms. Barchi added that officials will use the senior center space to help accommodate meetings that would otherwise be held in the second floor library rooms.

Project funding

According to information provided by library officials, the second floor renovation is estimated to cost $2.8 million. Voters approved a $1 million public bond, but that money will be reimbursed to the town through a state library construction grant. Library officials and volunteers are also busy raising private money for the project — there has been a "quiet campaign" recently, and the kick-off to the public fund-raising effort is set for Nov. 14. Rudy's Read-A-Thon fund-raiser runs from Nov. 15 to 28.

Concert kick-off is Nov. 14

Johnny the K will host a concert on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. The event, which is free to the public, serves as a kick-off to the public fund-raising effort. After taking in the concert, people can learn more about the project and enjoy some free refreshments. There will also be a silent auction.

Rudy's Read-A-Thon

Local children are invited to register for Rudy's Read-A-Thon (named after the children's room guinea pig). The read-a-thon will run from Nov. 15 to 28 and will allow children to read and record their minutes — parents and others can pledge money for time spent reading. Participants and their families can pick up the forms and drop off their donations at the children's room.  Forms may also be downloaded at http://www.barringtonlibrary.org/