LEWISTON — Princesses and superheroes took over the Lewiston Public Library on Saturday to help kick off a “Dream Big” campaign to raise money to revamp the library’s children’s department.

“It’s time. We’re due. And the library deserves it. The kids deserve it,” said Victoria Stanton, a Lewiston mother whose 8-year-old daughter Darcie was busy drawing pictures at an art station in Callahan Hall.

“I’m raising a library kid,” Stanton said, adding that the community will benefit every time children access the library.

The $1 million project aims to bolster the use of the library by youngsters. It hopes to create a welcoming space that includes reading nooks, skylights and access to kid-friendly digital resources.

Plans call for spending $500,000 on renovations, $400,000 for future services for children and $100,000 to reach out to families that don’t currently use the library.

Sara Turner, the children’s librarian, said she hopes they’ll reach the halfway point by June so they can go out to bid on the project next year.

Joey Houston, the library director, said officials have been talking about plans for several years.

“It’s wonderful to see everyone excited” as the project moves toward fruition, Houston said.

“The kids deserve a space that’s inspiring,” Houston said.

According to the library, about one in five of Lewiston’s 7,700 children possess a library card.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has found that library card usage by children is directly linked to poverty. Richer families are much more likely to have library cards.

But children who have visited a library are also much more likely to possess one, its study found, showing the value of getting young people in the door.

The library is using the crowdfunding website givebutter.com to raise money. It has taken in about $250,000 so far. The city paid $153,00 toward the campaign.