Construction of the new Greerton Library is about to begin, with the occasion being marked by a dawn ceremony and a site blessing on Wednesday morning.

Mayor Stuart Crosby, alongside city councillors, representatives from Ngai Tamarawaho and the design/build contractors Marra, will attend the ceremony at 6.45am, which will be followed by refreshments at the nearby café from 7.30am.

A concept drawing of the new Greerton library. Photo: Tauranga City Council.

The former Greerton Library building was demolished in July this year.

Greerton Library is currently operating from nearby 1334 Greerton Road, and will remain there until books are moved into the new building, which was originally expected to open in May 2016.

The new 960m2 buliding will be more than double the size of the previous library, and is described as a 'modern, engaging and vibrant facility” for the Greerton community.

In addition to community library services, the new library will include a community meeting room and a learning centre.

After more than a decade of pressure from the local community, Tauranga City Council approved $3.45 million funding for the building in its 2014/15 Annual Plan.

Council received an additional $200,000 worth of funding from the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, enabling it to extend the new library building by an additional 60m2 and make the learning centre and meeting room bigger.