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January 2000 events in the Main Library Project

Referendum Process Sparks Questions
In January 2000 answers to these questions raised by the referendum were posted on the Library's website.

What would a new main library building offer Oak Park?
Where would the new main library building be located?
Why expand now?
Why not just add on?
What will it cost individual property tax payers?
How will the Library provide services to patrons during construction?
Where can I get more specific information about the space needs studies which have been conducted?
How can Oak Park citizens have further input to the building planning process?
How much will it cost?
By how much could Illinois First funds cut cost to local property taxpayers?

What would a new main library offer Oak Park?
The proposed building project would include a new, three-story library with up to 104,400 square feet of space above ground -- more than double the size of the current main library. It would address overcrowding at the main library, and provide essential facilities in a welcoming, open and flexible space that so many patrons have requested. These essential improvements include:

• a quiet reading area with comfortable chairs and good lighting;
• up to 102 computer stations for access for the Internet, electronic periodical databases, and word-processing programs;
• enclosed group study areas;
• improved, expanded children's and young adult areas that are separated from quiet study areas;
• underground parking which could add up to 175 parking spaces; and
• staff work areas which are larger, better located, and better laid out, allowing more efficient use of staff time and better service to patrons.

Where would the new main library be located?
The new library would occupy space on the current site as well as the 161 N. Grove site formerly occupied by the Hemingway Interim House. If the Village staff and officials agree, the new building would expand partially into Grove Avenue (in order to give the building a larger "footprint" and more needed space).

Why expand now?
Since 1991, library consultants who have conducted several space needs studies have all concluded that the present building fails to meet both staff and patron needs. More importantly, in 1999, a Citizen's Commitee on Library Space Needs invited Oak Park residents to comment on the current library and future needs through a village-wide survey, a citizens' forum and a forum of community leaders. They also interviewed staff members and visited other public libraries including Evanston and Maywood. The committee's conclusion: There is an urgent need for vastly increased and improved space.

Why not just add on?
Adding on would provide a third level on the existing building, plus a three story addition to the north with limited underground parking beneath. The existing building would need extensive renovation, its third floor would need extensive interior bracing which would reduce floor space, and the building would lack flexibility for future needs. Only about 19 parking spaces would be constructed, hardly enough to ease parking problems. And the total square footage is less than what we need, all at a cost of 70% of what it would cost for a new building with an open, welcoming atmosphere, sufficient, flexible space and significant additional parking!

How will the library provide services to patrons during construction?
The construction will be done in phases, building the portion to the north of the present library first. Some services from the present building would be moved to the completed new section while the present library is demolished and the second portion of the new building constructed. During construction, the library expects to expand branch hours. Some library operations and collections might be moved to a remote site. If the referendum is approved, we anticipate construction to start in Fall 2001 and continue approximately 24 months.
Correction: The Main Library moved to a temporary site during contruction of the new building. Branch hours were expanded.

Where can I get more specific information about the space needs studies which have been conducted?
Reference copies are available at the Information Services Desk at the Main Library as well as the Maze and Dole Branch Libraries. These study reports include:

  1. Report of the Citizen's Committee for Library Building Needs to the
Board of Trustees (June 9, 1999). In addition to a summary report which
includes the principal finding (There is an urgent need for vastly increased and
improved space) , the complete report includes statistical data and comments
from the Citizen's Survey, plus comments from staff and community leaders.
  2. Library Space Needs: An Assessment of Library Service Goals and
Space Needs for the Oak Park Public Library prepared by Library Planning
Associates, Inc. -- Anders C. Dahlgren of Madison, Wisconsin (December 9,
1999). This report analyzes the needs of the library and recommends that the
current building of 51,000 square feet should be nearly doubled to between
90,000 and 100,000 square feet to meet future collection inventory and space
needs.
  3. Order of Magnitude Budget for Proposed Expansion of Oak Park
Public Library prepared by Owner Services Group, Inc. of Lombard, Illinois
(December 20, 1999). Construction cost estimates for the new building.
  4. Library Facilities Planning Timeline (1888 to present).

In addition, patrons can get access to all the most recent space needs studies
and information which the Library Board of Trustees considered before
recommending the building of a new, expanded main library.

How much will it cost?
The cost estimate of the new building is $29.8 million. An additional $476, 000 would be spent on accelerating the rate of repairs at the Maze Branch.

By how much could Illinois First funds cut cost to local property taxpayers?
In February 2000, State Representative Skip Saviano introduced a bill into the state legislature asking that the lawmakers provide $10 million in Illinois First funds for building a new main library in Oak Park. Co-sponsors on the bill to provide funding toward a new main library include State Senators Lightford, Walsh and Cronin as well as State Representatives Sharp, Giles and Durkin, all with districts which include a portion of Oak Park. Oak Park residents can help bring Illinois First funding to Oak Park by writing to Gov. George Ryan and Secretary of State Jesse White (who is also the State Librarian), urging them to include in the state budget $10 million toward construction of a new main library.

March 2000

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