MOULTRIE, Ga. — The term “user friendly” is used in broad venue these days, and that seems to the be the catch phrase for the renovation of the Moultrie-Colquitt Library.

Three words are often repeated as library officials talk about the multi-million-dollar project. They are “safety,” “aesthetics,” and “function.”

Architects will be coming to town in August to meet with board members, staff and county officials to fine-tune some of the overall design.

“I’m excited about this,” said Holly Phillips, library director. “I’ve got the plans pinned up on my office wall, and we’re anxious to get this started.”

Phillips and her staff held two public hearings that she said were well attended.

“And we received some very good input,” she added.

One of the biggest concerns was accessibility into and inside the library.

She said the renovation will include much plexiglass which will allow greater “line of sight.” Presently, she said too many areas are isolated. The computer lab will be moved to the area that presently houses the auditorium. Those attending the public hearings were excited about that because it will be quieter.

The children’s library will move closer to the front desk. It’s currently located in a remodeled garage. Lighting is inadequate and there’s an echo, Phillip’s said.

“This brings the children’s services back into the heart of the library,” she said.

That’s important because 44 percent of the 96,000 items checked out last year came from the children’s section.

There is no dedicated teen space in the current library, but the plans create one. There are also a couple of group work rooms planned, where teams can work together on projects without having to be quite as quiet as they would working in the main library area.

Philips said bids will be let in the fall and construction should begin in early 2018.

“And we hope to be finished in 2018,” she said.

The nearly $2 million grant comes from state monies.

The grant requires local matching funds (10 percent on the first million dollars and 50 percent on the second), but those funds are already in place, Phillips said in February. State money became available on July 1.