A $500,000 appropriation has been released by the state for design and construction of the Mililani Public Library's parking lot and related improvements.

The library was built 25 years ago. Usage has increased dramatically as the population in the area grew, requiring a larger parking area, Gov. Linda Lingle said in a prepared release.

Design is scheduled to begin this month and finish in April 2009. Construction is scheduled to begin next September and be completed in April 2010.