Montevallo library supporters dreamed big when they started planning for a new building in 1998.

Nine years and $2.6 million later, Parnell Memorial Library Foundation members say the new 12,400-square foot facility is too big.

Board President Libbie Rodgers said she fears

the larger library will be understaffed when it opens later this month.

The board is petitioning the Montevallo City Council to provide more money for additional employees.

&8220;The city council has not approved any more staff and that&8217;s a great concern,&8221; said Rodgers. &8220;That&8217;s not even reasonable. We hope they can understand what a jewel this will be and properly fund it.&8221;

Currently, the library has one full-time librarian and two part-time aides. Library hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

&8220;One of our desires was to extend the hours,&8221; said Rodgers. &8220;But we won&8217;t be able to keep our current hours with the larger library.&8221;

The new library on Park Road is three times larger than the current building on Valley Street. Rodgers said it is dangerous to have so few workers overseeing several rooms and newer technology.

&8220;I would hate for something to happen,&8221; said Rodgers. &8220;It&8217;s really important that the city council understand the investment. We raised the money to build it, now it&8217;s up to the city council to properly fund the staff.&8221;

The brick building includes space for almost 20,000 books and several public-access computers.

The new library will also house a multipurpose meeting room, art gallery and theater, complete with a lighting board and sound system.

&8220;It&8217;s not just a library. It&8217;s really a cultural center,&8221; said Rodgers.

The library was funded through a variety to sources, including the city of Montevallo and the Shelby County Commission.

State and federal grants also helped foot the bill, but Rodgers said it was private and business donations that made the real difference.

&8220;It&8217;s very unusual for a city to get a fine library with the total support of more than 700 donors,&8221; she said. &8220;There&8217;s so much excitement about the new library.&8221;

A grand opening will be set for sometime in February. In the interim, volunteers will be moving books and furniture from one building to the other, unpacking and getting organized.

&8220;It&8217;s just like any other move. You&8217;ve got to find where things are,&8221; said Rodgers. &8220;Once all the books are in, it&8217;s a matter of getting everything sorted.&8221;

Attempts to reach Montevallo Mayor Sharon Anderson for comment were unsuccessful.

Parnell Memorial Library closed the Valley Street building at the end of business day on Friday, Dec. 29 in preparation for the move.

During the weeks the library is closed, patrons should still bring their books to the old location.