Plans to expand the Saxonburg Area Library became more tangible last month when the library board bought a piece of land from a neighbor.

The Saxonburg Area Library Association finalized the $27,500 sale with neighbors Donald "Ben" Cypher and his wife Mary on April 30, according to the Butler County Recorder of Deeds office.

The half-acre adjacent parcel will be used to expand the general size of the library, said Kenneth Tasker, library board president.

"It helps us both," Mr. Tasker said of the deal. "[The Cyphers] weren't using the piece of property, and it helps us do some planning."

Last year, the board was devising a five- and 10-year strategic plan and decided it was necessary to expand the 6,000-square-foot library, Mr. Tasker said.

"One of the things we found was that even though the library was expanded in the '90s, it isn't big enough," he said. "We're in a central area. It's a firm reality that we're growing."

The library serves Saxonburg, Winfield and Clinton and also has patrons from Penn and Buffalo, Mr. Tasker said.

The board will start laying out specifics after it hires an architect, which Mr. Tasker said should happen within a year.

In general, the board would like to see several things happen.

Members would like to increase the size of the library's meeting room, where clubs and organizations hold meetings and people host bridal and baby showers, Mr. Tasker said.

They also want to increase the size of the computer lab, enlarge the junior library and make more room for adult programs.

The board used money from its reserve fund to buy the property next door. It intends to pay for the expansion with donations and state grants, Mr. Tasker said.

As outlying areas around Saxonburg grow, the board would like to see the library become a place that everyone has in common.

"We'd like to make the library a central strategic area in the community," Mr. Tasker said.