When work starts next year on a 24-month project to raze Manoa Public Library and build a bigger, more environmentally friendly structure in its place, residents won't have to look too far for a good read.

During the closure, thousands of the library's books will be across the street in a new portable at Noelani Elementary School.

It is the first time the state library system has tried to set up a temporary facility in a portable — and officials say it's needed.

Though the Manoa library is one of the smallest on O'ahu, at about 7,000 square feet, it is also one of the busiest. "It's very, very busy," said Keith Fujio, the state library system's administrative services officer.

Legislators put $600,000 for the portable in the state budget for the coming fiscal year. They also appropriated $1.3 million for the library's construction, which will be added to $6 million garnered in past years.

The portable will hold as many as 10,000 books, CDs, DVDs and other items. Mostly, it will have children's and new adult books.

Best of all, the portable will continue to be well-used even after the library is completed. Rather than being put into storage, it will be handed to Noelani Elementary School for use as a much-needed classroom.

"It's a win-win," said Christel Collins, Manoa Public Library manager.

Collins said initially library officials tried to rent space in Manoa for a temporary site, but found out buying a portable would be much cheaper.

Meanwhile, work is under way to compile design plans for the new library, and construction should start in spring 2008. The new library will follow federal guidelines for environmentally friendly construction.

It will also nearly double in size, to about 13,000 square feet. The number of parking spaces will grow from 18 to as many as 37.

Months before construction begins, employees at the library will start packing up books and warning users of the closure.

Staff members will have to decide which items will go into the portable, which should go to other libraries and which should be stored.

There are more than 50,000 items in the library. The new library will hold about 100,000 items, which means as Collins is in the midst of moving she will also be trying to grow her library's collection.

State officials have not yet allocated money to buy new books for the library, but Collins said she is optimistic funds will come through before the new library opens.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.