Lawrence city commissioners want to study how they could build a new library that is smaller than originally envisioned.

Commissioners at their meeting tonight will consider approving a contract extension for the Lawrence-based architectural firm of Gould Evans.

The firm is being asked, among other things, to study ways that a new library project could be reduced in scope but yet still meet the needs of the community.

A report by Gould Evans previously concluded that a new downtown library should be in the 125,000- to 140,000-square-foot range to meet community needs. That’s up from the building’s current size of about 52,000 square feet.

Commissioners are asking the architecture firm to list what amenities would be lost if the city pursued a smaller expansion.

Commissioners began balking at several plans proposed for the library after it became evident that many of them would require public financing of $40 million or more.

The new contract with Gould Evans would be for $18,943.