The $8.5 million state library construction grant awarded to the DeKalb Public Library represents a great opportunity for the community, one that should not be allowed to slip away.

However, the library board should not see it as carte blanche in this time of tight budgets.

The Library Board has a plan for a 48,000-square-foot expansion, an addition more than 2½ times larger than the existing Haish Memorial Library. The existing building has not been expanded in 40 years. If you’d like to see for yourself how cramped the space is, tours are available Friday evenings.