The Acton Public Library (APL) is hosting an official fundraiser kickoff party on Dec. 5 to get the ball rolling on raising money for planned renovations to the building. The free-to-attend event starts at 3:30 p.m. at the library.

APL Director Amanda Brouwer said the event will feature a presentation on the planned renovations, activities, and games for children, refreshments, and a raffle. Library board members will be onsite to answer questions from the public.

“We want people to come explore the library and see renderings and see what we have and why we’re doing this. We will point out where renovations will go,” Brouwer said.

While some people may just think of books when they hear the word “library,” the buildings have evolved into places that offer diverse uses to people of all ages. To meet that goal, the library is planning a major renovation that will include building a teen room, consolidating the children’s room so that all children’s programming material is in one place, making the circulation desk smaller so that it’s easier to navigate, bringing in more mobile furniture, and creating more meeting space. Renderings of the proposed renovations will be presented at the tour.

“We did a strategic plan survey and a facilities plan that really showed a desire and need for those uses,” Brouwer said.

Brouwer said that the library received a $2 million grant from the state for the upgrades, but the library needs to match that money.

“Right now, we’re at $1.4 million. We have until Nov. 2026 to raise the remaining money but we want to get there before then,” Brouwer said.

In addition to the open house, Brouwer said that there will be other fundraisers taking place over the next several months to raise the required money.

“If people want to hear more about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it, I encourage them to come out,” Brouwer said.