Home > Main Library > Construction > Timeline > October 2003

October 2003 events in the Main Library Project

Main Library Re-opens to the Public
The new main library building at 834 Lake Street re-opened to the public on Wednesday October 1, 2003. A Gala Preview Party and Fundraiser was held Friday evening, October 3, 2003. Proceeds from the $100 tickets helped purchase permanent art for the Main Library. The Grand Opening ceremony and celebration was held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, 2003. More than 3,000 patrons attended the ribbon-cutting and celebration which included music, storytelling, poetry, dance, food, and more. Local artists shared artwork devoted to "The Glory of Books" in the Art Gallery through the month of October. Celebrational events sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library continued through the fall.

More photos of the opening celebrations.

Unity and Growth Unveiled After Facelift
During the Grand Opening on October 5, 2003 the Library's beloved "Unity and Growth" sculpture was unveiled in the vestibule. After standing in concrete on the patio of the former Main Library building for more than 40 years, the "Unity and Growth" figures had rusted through at their base. While the new building was under construction, the sculpture underwent restoration at a cavernous warehouse studio, behind a nondescript door on Chicago's West Side. Renowned sculptor Barry Tinsley, an Oak park resident, developed a rescue plan which involved building a 4x13-foot base criss-crossed with 200 feet of 1 1/2 inch stainless steel tubing to fortify the 700-plus pound sculpture. The base was then covered with a "skin" of bronze, and the sculpture cleaned and readied for transport to the new Main Library building at 834 Lake Street. The sculpture was transported to the new building site in the spring of 2003 and kept underwraps to protect it while the building was completed and readied for opening. The restored sculpture is now ready to greet future generations of library patrons.

"Unity and Growth" came to Oak Park in 1966 after the Village Art Fair Board invited sculptors from across the country to submit designs for a library sculpture. The design by Carole Harrison, a Michigan sculptor, was unanimously chosen by the selection committee. Once awarded the $6000 commission, Harrison spent 15 months completing the brass and copper sculpture. It is composed of nine adult figures and three children, illustrating the diversity of people who use the Library.

photo of "Unity and Growth" being prepared for move to storage

September 2003

back to top