The chair of a committee working on getting a new library built in Sydney is looking for the public to show its support to the municipality for the project.

The municipality is currently working with a consultant looking at what needs to be done to replace the James McConnell Memorial Library.

A public meeting is set for Oct. 27 about the project.

Library building committee chair Pat Bates wants the public to show up in droves.

"We'd like to have as much public support as we can and that's an important message for the mayor and council to get to know how the public feels about this," he said.

Bates would like to see a new library given priority by the municipality.

"We know all about potholes and all about water treatment and they're all important, but somehow or another, we've got to put the library way up on the scale," he said.

A new library would replace the current McConnell Memorial Library, which was built in 1960. With about 500 visitors per day, it has outgrown its location.

Bates is hopeful construction could get underway by the beginning of next year.