The Osawatomie Public Library will have to shelve plans for a 2,500-square- foot expansion after receiving word that the project was not awarded an anticipated $400,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture about three weeks ago.

The expansion would have marked the second major project remodeling at the local library in the last two years, the first of which installed a new elevator and revamped the entrance to the institution in 2010. The USDA announcement came as a shock to Library Director Elizabeth Trigg, who said up until that moment had figured the project was a shoo-in for the Community Development Block Grant funding.

“I was broken hearted because it never occurred to be, not one iota, that they would say no,” Trigg said. “It’s one thing when you’re expecting or not sure, it’s another when you’re completely blind sided. But I still believe we can make it happen.”

Sarah Dorsett, president of the library’s board of directors, echoed Trigg’s disappointment and perseverance, vowing to go back to the drawing board to take another swing at the funding in November. Dorsett said the library’s recent project, which also received funding assistance, may have worked against them this time around.

“I was hopeful that we could earn it, but also I was being realistic because we did just get a stimulus package, and we were able to get the elevator put in and some other things,” Dorsett said. “It was just probably too soon after that.”

The library will continue to safeguard the $100,000 generated through countless community donations over the last few years to utilize for matching funds in the next grant proposal.

Library officials will work on revamping the grant proposal over the coming months and hope their next request will be greeted more favorably. Dorsett said the expansion is unquestionably needed, as the Osawatomie Public Library has seen unprecedented growth in recent years while simultaneously maintaining its position as one of the lowest funded per capita libraries in the state.

“We’re experiencing such an increased amount of usage, we’ve almost quadrupled our circulation numbers since 2006,” Dorsett said.