The Topping Out ceremony may be thousands of years old, but in Ellicott City today, it marked a step toward the future.

Public officials, library employees and dozens of supporters of the Howard County Library system gathered outside despite the chilly weather to watch as "the last beam rises up and clicks into place," on the new Charles E. Miller Branch and Historical Center said Howard County Library President Valerie Gross.

Attendees were able to sign the beam -- people wrote their names and the date signifying "I was here."

It was a double delight for the kids in attendance. They frequent the library and also happen to love the big trucks and big noises of construction sites.

"They're building new houses in our neighborhood," said Michelle Jaecksch, of Ellicott City. "We also visit that daily."

Jaecksh and her kids, 2-year-old Meaghan (she'll be 3 next week), and 1-year-old Jonathan attend story time at Miller Library.

"Polar Bear, Polar Bear, what do you hear?" she recited from the last book the children heard at the library.

Tracey Tracy's 3-year-old Levi also signed the beam, with a little help from mom. They also frequent the library for special events and story times. "He likes cranes and trains," she said. One out of two -- not too bad.

Once completed, in late 2011/early 2012, the new library and historical center will be a whopping 62,000 square feet -- nearly triple the size of the current building.

"There's my little spot," said Lauren McCormack, the executive director of the Howard County Historical Society as she pointed toward the structure.

"Well, it's not little," she added. The 3,000 square foot space will increase the Society's visibility, McCormack said enthusiastically, giving residents access to historical documents from the area.

Mike Quadrino, project manager at Morgan Keller, the general contractor, said this was his first topping out ceremony. "In this case it's for the public aspect," he said. With more than 75,000 people visiting the library some months, it's no surprise that interest in the project has been high.

The beam -- adorned with the flags of Howard County, Maryland, the United States, the Howard County Library, and a small pine tree -- was lifted high into a bright blue sky, then placed, with the assistance of a construction worker, at a high point on the structure.

"I cannot wait to see the first people walk into this building when they open it," County Executive Ken Ulman said just before a crane was attached to the beam.

"They're just going to be blown away."