The Scarborough Public Library Board of Trustees has decided to put off a $5 million bond request from this November’s ballot until next year.

The library, which is planning an approximately 12,000-square-foot expansion that would double the size of the building, decided to delay the request because organizers want more time to refine the plan.

“We will welcome the extra time for planning,” said Library Director Nancy Crowell.

Library officials made their feeling known at Wednesday’s Town Council meeting where councilors read a resolution supporting the expansion and placing the issue on the 2006 ballot.

The resolution essentially puts a placeholder for a $4.9 million bond request on next year’s ballot, said Town Council Chairman Jeffrey Messer.

Library officials are planning on undertaking a fund-raising campaign to pay for some of the costs, but how much money can be raised has not yet been estimated.

“We are committed to raising a significant portion of the funds,” said Councilor Patrick O’Reilly, the council liaison to the library board.

The library is in the final stages of hiring a fund-raising expert to run the campaign. The person also will be able to calculate how much money can be raised within the community.

Crowell expects the library will ask the town to place the issue on the 2006 ballot sometime in December or January, which she thinks will help the library during its fund-raiser.

“It certainly gives the info to us to use as we approach donors,” she said.

The library unveiled its preliminary plans to the Town Council in August, but did not have a final proposal to present. The delay in the request will allow officials additional time to solidify the plans and present them to the public.

“They really need more time to gain community support,” Messer said. “I think they really need time to start their fund-raiser.”

Another benefit to waiting for the vote is allowing the $1.2 million senior center bond question a chance on the ballot alone, which many think will give it a better chance of passing.

“We felt there was an important need to focus on the senior center,” Crowell said.

Messer said he thought having both on the same ballot “would irreparably harm both of them.”

Finally, few voters are expected at the polls this year with no contested seats on the Town Council and little controversy. Next year there will be a gubernatorial election, races for the state house, and possibly a school bond on the ballot, all of which should increase turnout.

“The biggest thing is you will have many, many more people voting,” O’Reilly said, adding that if more people vote that increases the chance of the library passing.