The Bismarck Library Foundation on Thursday kicked off a $600,000 fundraising campaign to renovate the children's portion of the Bismarck Public Library.

Nearly 20 years after the original opening of the children's portion of the library building, the growth of the Bismarck community has been matched by the use of the library facilities, said Tom Jones, library director.

Nearly 7,000 people visit the library each week and 42,000 people have library cards, Jones said.

Dick Weber, co-chair of the Children's Library Renovation Campaign, said the renovation of the children's area was very critical to the library's future.

Weber estimated that within the next five to 10 years, the library could see increases in their uses of 30 percent to 50 percent, based on Bismarck's current growth.

"We're doing it for the kids," he said. "These children are our future."

At least $50,000 of the total cost will go to replace and add books and materials and the rest for the area's physical surroundings, he said.

Architect Richard Bohrer said that designing a library space for children was great fun. The preliminary design creates a more visible entrance, which will be redesigned with the theme "The More You Know, the Farther You Go," with images that include a beanstalk, a flying ship and a child standing on a stack of books, reflecting the ideas of imagination and adventure that books and stories foster within children.

Changes in the technologies used for learning mean a reconfigured computer area, storage for DVDs and other electronic media, and video screen capability. The existing structural pillars in the area are dressed up to playfully resemble trees and will be used as additional reading areas.

The designers of the project will appreciate public input, Bohrer said. A survey will be available at the library's circulation desk and at http://www.bismarcklibrary.org for the public to offer its input.

With $88,000 committed so far, the project will not be started until all the money has been raised, Weber said. He expects the fundraising campaign to last through the end of the year. If the goal is not met, the design will have to been rethought or the campaign extended, Weber said. Once begun, the actual work on the project is expected to take about nine to 12 months.

"The library must grow and change," said Eric Sakariassen, co-chair of the renovation campaign. For families who don't have computers or internet access at home, the library becomes their second home, he said.

This project is designed to give the children's area "an engaging and enchanting atmosphere," he said.

The first contribution was accepted from the Fortnightly Club, which has been meeting in Bismarck since 1897.

The fundraising kickoff was done in conjunction with the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Bismarck library.