The state is preparing to start construction of a $10.8 million library on the site of the old Aiea Sugar Mill that will replace the community’s current library and feature more space for patrons, a local history center and sustainable design.

A construction bid is expected to be awarded next summer, and the state anticipates work being completed in about two years. Planners envision the new 17,000-square-foot library, which will have a "monumental glass facade" offering views of Pearl Harbor, as being a landmark along Aiea Heights Drive.

The new facility would be the third replacement library built by the state since 2009. The $7.8 million, 6,000-square-foot North Kohala Library opened in 2010, while the $10.3 million Manoa Library, with 30,000 square feet and two stories, is set to open early next year. They replaced outdated libraries that weren’t meeting patrons’ needs, officials said.

The current Aiea library, with 10,724 square feet, was built in 1964.

State Librarian Richard Burns said the community has wanted an improved library for years. "The community for so long has requested a new building," he said, adding that "everything looks good" for construction starting on time.

Much of the funding for the library has been appropriated, but the library system plans to ask lawmakers in 2012 for an additional $1.75 million. That money would mostly go to construction costs, while $225,000 would be set aside for furniture, fixtures and equipment, including two self-checkout machines for $20,000 each and a $13,000 security gate.

The Board of Education approved the budget request at its meeting Tuesday.

Keith Fujio, special assistant to the state librarian, said if the additional funds don’t come through, the project will have to be scaled back, and the system could have to rely on fundraising and other money to buy furniture and fixtures.

"We’ll have to see what we can do," he said.

Aiea has been pushing for a new library since the 1980s. In 2003 the state bought five lots at the old Aiea Sugar Mill site for $2.5 million, allowing the proposal to move forward. The new library will sit on about 2.5 acres and serve a growing community of about 32,000 people and 11 public and private schools.

The master plan for Aiea calls for the replacement library to be part of a community hub adjacent to Aiea High. The new library will feature a children’s reading room, an additional 6,000 square feet for adult and children’s sections, and a program room for community meetings and gatherings. It will be designed to be energy-neutral, producing as much power as it uses via solar panels.

The state sees the building lasting at least a century.