Nauset Construction recently broke ground for a new $6.8 million public library in Eastham.

The project involves demolition of the existing 9,300-square-foot structure, a two-story, 18,000-square-foot, energy-efficient facility will be constructed in its place. Nauset Construction is also enhancing a portion of the town’s historic single-room library building constructed in 1897 by a group of townspeople called the Village Improvement Society.

The new library will overlook one of the town’s ponds, and will be set back to allow the historic section of the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to serve as a headpiece to the new library. Design features include large energy efficient windows that maximize the amount of natural light coming into the building while also offering panoramic views of Depot Pond and the new outdoor garden.

The upper level will consist of a lobby, 110-seat multipurpose community room, circulation desk and an adult reading room. The lower level will house the children and young adult areas, with direct access to an outdoor program area. Nauset will also construct a 52 space parking lot over the new nitrogen reducing septic system, replacing the existing parking lot currently located within the wetland buffer to ensure against any negative impact on the water quality of the pond.

The architect is Oudens Ello Architecture and P-Three Inc. of Norwell is the owner’s project manager.

Construction is now underway and is expected to be completed in early 2016. A 2,100-square-foot trailer that is located adjacent to Eastham’s Town Hall will serve as the town’s library during construction.