Supporters of the Spinney Library in Onset have not given up the fight just yet.

Friends of the Wareham Free Library President Priscilla Porter and longtime Onset resident Winna Dean presented a preliminary plan to lease the town-owned building and staff it with volunteers at Tuesday's Selectmen meeting.

"I can't say how often we would be open but I'd hope at least three days a week," said Porter.

The Spinney branch of the Wareham Free Library closed at the beginning of July due to a lack of town funding. In the balanced budget passed by Town Meeting in April, the town allocated $125,000 to the library. The Proposition 2 1/2 override budget, which voters rejected in June, would have given the library $425,000.

Porter proposed having the Friends organization lease the building at 259 Onset Ave. for one year with the option for a second year. Selectman Peter Teitelbaum noted that authorizing a lease of three years or longer would have to go before Town Meeting.

The town was gifted the building, which was a library from the late 1800's until World War II, at the 2012 Spring Town Meeting from the Friends organization.

The Friends had acquired the building in 2005 from the non-profit group Spinney Memorial Inc., with the caveat that they bring the idea of town ownership of the building to Town Meeting in 2012. While the town has owned the building for the last two years, it was maintained and operated by the Friends.

Town Administrator Derek Sullivan, who has the authority to lease the building, said he is working with the Friends on a solution. He said the insurance on buildings skyrocket when they become vacant.

Porter also noted that there is $16,000 in the Wareham Library account earmarked specifically for Spinney.

Selectman Alan Slavin said there are many details that need to be worked out.

"This is going to be difficult and painful, but in the long run, I think we can solve the issue.  It needs to be solved," he said.