LEWISTON – According to a recent report received from Gary Kennedy, member of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club, construction of a new library in Dasmarinas, Philippines, will be completed by June or July.

During the summer and fall of 2002, club members collected more than 25 tons of books, which were crated and shipped to Dasmarinas. Kennedy and his wife, Jeng, followed the books to the Philippines to help with the project.

The intent of the Lewiston club was to furnish a library with books to be housed in a building that was being donated for the purpose. Upon inspection of the building, it was determined that it was not suitable to the purpose, and Kennedy explored alternatives. He succeeded in raising 1.2 million pesos ($250,000) from the municipal government of Dasmarinas to help construct a new building, which got under way nearly four months ago.

The library is a joint project of the municipal government of Dasmarinas, Rotary International, the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Dasmarinas. Total cost of the project is estimated at $330,000.

Once completed, the library will contain about 50,000 books, computers with Internet access and will be the largest library in the Philippines.

Kennedy plans to remain in the Philippines until the library is dedicated.