Dole Branch Renovation Project: Completed 2003
Scope
of the Construction Project
In 1998, the Oak Park Village Board, acting on the recommendation
of the Dole Learning Center Task Force, and with substantial
input from the community, agreed to undertake major capital
improvements at the Dole Learning Center.
The improvements at the Dole Learning Center would involve
the full replacement of all major building systems and making
the building handicapped accessible. The plumbing and electrical
systems would be replaced and a new heating, central air conditioning,
and distribution system would be installed. Many fire safety
improvements including the installation of alarm and sprinkler
systems would also be made. All of the windows and doors would
be restored or replaced. An elevator accessible from the new
west entrance on Cuyler would be installed. Exterior work would
include completion of the slate roof repairs, tuck pointing,
and restoration of the north entrance on Augusta.
Contract Awarded
 In
December 2000 the Oak Park Village Board approved a $1.6 million
contract for the renovation and modernization of the Dole Learning
Center with the H. J. Pokorny Company of Naperville. The project
had to be re-bid when the original bids came in substantially
over budget. Through aggressive outreach, project architects
Gilmore and Franzen succeeded in attracting 14 bidders in the
second round of bidding. Only three bidders responded to the
first call for bids. The low bid produced a budget savings of
more than $400,000 for the Village. The project would be partially
supported by funds administered by the Secretary of State and
State Librarian.
Construction Begins
  At
the end of January 2001, the H. J. Pokorny Company began excavation
for the elevator tower on the west side the building.
By June 2001 construction on the new exterior
wall on the west side of the building neared completion.
While other operations of the Dole Learning Center moved out
during construction, the Dole Branch Library remained open.
Patrons were able to come to Dole Branch Library to read, check
out books, books on tape, and videotapes as always.
Interior
Renovation Plans
The Library Board of
Trustees agreed in July 2001 to purchase all new shelving
and new flooring for the Dole Branch. The Library also explored
the possibility of increasing the amount of light from the
existing lighting fixtures.
Michelle Mirrielees, the Oak Park interior designer hired by
the Oak Park Public Library to work on interior designs for
the Dole Branch Library, presented her schematic designs in
a Public Update Meeting on August 20, 2001.
Utilizing a "Prairie School" palette of soft white,
yellow, and green colors with brighter accents in burnished
copper, red, and gold for the decorative ceiling wood beams,
Mirrielees designed a space that met with approval among neighborhood
residents who attended the meeting.
  The
designer reported that the new shelving will be golden oak to
blend with the "antique" oak tables which will remain
in the Library. The new shelving will be deeper in order to
shelve books with their spines facing outward for easier identification.
The new flooring will be cork, a material which absorbs sound
and lasts a long time. Mirrielees told of Chicago churches which
installed cork floors 75 to 100 years ago - and with care, still
look good.
In December 2001 refurbished windows were installed at the
Dole Branch Library. The windows had been boarded during the
construction process.
Gates Foundation Awards Four New Computers to Dole Branch
Library
In January 2002 the Oak Park Public Library was awarded a grant
for $8,954 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the
purpose of expanding public
access to computers and the Internet. The funds will purchase
four new computers as part of the Library's plans to renovate
the Dole Branch Library.
Interior Renovations Underway
With the Village construction project at the Dole Learning Center
nearly completed, the Library began interior
renovations of the Dole Branch Library on Monday, March
25, 2002. Since there will be no public access into the main
library room, an Express Service is set up in the Community
Room where Dole patrons are able to check out best-sellers,
new fiction, paperback books as well as videos, books on tape,
CDs, and DVDs. A variety of children's materials, including
books and videotapes, are available in the Express Service room.
"We plan to offer continued service to our patrons throughout
the renovation," says Dole Branch Manager Jeanne Friedell.
Any programs scheduled for the Dole Branch Library will be upstairs
in the Dole Learning Center.
Express Service at the Dole Branch Library
Painting in the Main Library Room
Interior designer Michelle Mirrielees chose a "Prairie
School" palette of soft colors with brighter accents for
the main library room at the Dole Learning Center. Painting
of the walls and ceiling has been completed. Linda Stone and
Patty Educate of Painter Girls have created a ginko leaf pattern
on the newly installed cork floor in the main library room.
Painters have done finish painting, added trim, and worked on
the doors. (Read the quotes painted
on the ceiling beams.) The installation of shelving began the
week of June 10.
 
 
 
Dole Branch Opens in Newly Renovated Main Library Room
The Dole Branch Library closed June 26-27 in order to move
library materials from storage and the temporary Express Service
into the renovated main library room at the Dole Learning Center.
Shelving and furniture had already been installed in the main
library room. The Dole Branch
Library opened at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2002 in
the newly renovated main library room of the Dole Learning Center.
 
Dole
Learning Center Grand Opening Celebration
 Several
hundred Village residents showed up for the Dedication Ceremony
of the Dole Learning Center on September 14, 2002. After a
short ceremony and ribbon-cutting which celebrated the intergovernment
cooperation among the Village, Park District, and Oak Park
Public Library and the successful renovation, guests went
inside to see the beautifully refurbished building.
 While
children enjoyed the juggling of Chris Fascione and balloon
creations of David Lyons in the Dole
Library, adults watched a variety of dance and fitness
classes upstairs in the Park District classrooms. The Oak
Park Model Train Engineers Society entertained all ages with
a model train layout. The Licorice Sticks, a clarinet quartet
under the direction of Linda Van Dyke, played lovely music
which floated throughout the building.
 Sculpture
Dedication
A dedication of the new bronze sculpture by artist Scott Wallace
titled "Keepsake" occured on Saturday, November 23,
2002.
Last updated:
11/26/02
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