WEST PARIS — It was standing-room-only as hundreds of townspeople and patrons gathered for the grand opening of the addition to the Arthur L. Mann Memorial Library on Saturday.

“The event was a huge success with so many people coming to view the addition,” said library trustees representative Janet Fournier. “There were 203 who signed our register, and I would say that nearly as many did not sign but came in to tour the addition during the afternoon.”

The addition built on the back of the castle-like building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, more than doubles the library’s size.

It contains a children’s reading room and conference space, an activity room, added computer access, new bathroom facilities and additional book storage space. It also is handicapped accessible under the guidelines of the American with Disabilities Act.

The original structure was built in the early 1920s and turned over to the town in the 1940s. For many years it saw a small patronage but, according to records, it has had a significant increase in use over the past two years.

“We have seen a major increase in circulation over recent months and are very pleased with many first-time patrons we see using the library,” Fournier said. “And we expect to see even more patronage in the future as we now have the expanded space. There is space for community meetings for local clubs and groups as well as a lot more room for classes to visit from the Agnes Gray Elementary School. So we are very excited about the library’s future and will continue to come up with new programs as time goes by.”

She also said that there is still about $30,000 needed to pay the bills; the library is accepting donations, which can be submitted at the town office on Kingsbury Street during regular office hours or turned in at the library.

A large turnout of residents toured the new addition to the Arthur L. Mann Memorial Library in West Paris on Saturday.

The new addition at the library features large glass windows.