The need and desire to expand the Lawrence Public Library hasn’t gone away. Unfortunately, the city probably is even less able to fund such a project now than it was when it was last discussed several years ago.

During a study session on Tuesday, Lawrence city commissioners will receive a formal request from the library’s board of trustees to move forward on an expansion project that would add 15,000 to 20,000 square feet, probably on the south side of the existing building. To offset the parking spaces lost to the expansion, the project also calls for additional angle parking and a “modest” parking structure that would increase adjacent parking from 178 spaces to 230 spaces.

The board estimates the project would require a 1.5-mill increase in the city’s property tax levy for 20 years. An additional permanent increase of 0.5 of a mill would be needed to fund the larger library’s operating expenses.

To justify their request, library officials have provided impressive figures about how much library usage has increased, a trend that has accelerated during the current economic downturn. The plans would double the size of the library’s children’s room, add much-needed community meeting space and expand the library’s computer services.

All of these are desirable goals, but it’s far from an ideal time for the city to commit to a 2-mill tax increase to achieve those goals.

Perhaps some creative thinking is called for. City officials are looking at a variety of proposals for expanded recreation space in the city including construction of a new recreation center in northwest or southwest Lawrence. Is that project a more pressing need for the community than a library expansion? For many residents, the activities fostered by the library are both educational and recreational. Would a library expansion be a better use of city recreation funds right now?

Library officials have been unenthusiastic about having satellite locations around the city, but could some of the community’s need for additional computer access be served by adding public computer facilities at recreation centers or other city buildings? Could some of those buildings also provide free meeting space to supplement the limited space available at the library?

It’s not that a library expansion isn’t a worthy project, but the city can’t afford to do it all. Voters recently approved a local sales tax increase for public transportation and street maintenance. Increased sales taxes or other taxes could well be passed to balance the state budget. Depressed property values mean that property taxes — the mainstay for city and county government — aren’t producing as much revenue as they did in years past. There just isn’t that much money to spread around — even on worthy projects.

There’s no question that the Lawrence Public Library serves a vital role in the community, but current budget demands make it difficult to consider an additional $18 million investment.