MONTAGUE, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Montague voters have approved funding for a new town library.

The controversial plan to exceed the limits of Proposition 2 1/2 to fund the library passed with 1,593 votes for, with 1,248 votes against, according to unofficial totals released Wednesday night by the Montague Town Clerk. The vote still needs to be officially certified.

Voter turnout was predictably strong, with 38.73% of Montague voters casting ballots.

The new library would be located at 38 Avenue A in Turners Falls, and would replace the historic Carnegie Public Library at 201 Avenue A.

The town’s portion of the project is expected to be $12.4 million. A renovation of the Carnegie would have cost the town roughly $17 million.