The Point Roberts Parks and Recreation District is set to take a first decisive step toward expanding the library.

At the district’s January 9 board of commissioners meeting, the board will “consider signing a memorandum of understanding with the Friends of Point Roberts Library (FOPRL) and Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) committing these parties to work toward the renovation of the Julius Fire Hall to serve as an enlarged library,” according to board chair Mark Robbins.

The agreement does not commit the parks district to funding the renovation, expected to cost approximately $500,000. The FOPRL will begin fundraising for the project and the parks district would commit itself to keeping the old fire station available for the library for five years.

“At this point in time, we are not discussing use of tax revenues for this purpose,” Robbins said.

Robbins encouraged members of the public to attend the January 9 meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the community center. Some divergent views on the project were voiced over the course of two town hall meetings in 2011, though most who attended supported expanding and modernizing the local library.

“If you have a strong opinion one way or the other, the January 9 meeting would be a good time to make your views known to the parks board,” he said.