Click on photos for larger images.
August 2005
The Maze Branch collection has been boxed and moved to off-site
storage. |
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August 2005
The Maze Branch stands fairly empty after the collection
has been moved to storage and asbestos has been removed
with the environmental remediation. |
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September 17, 2005
A small ground-breaking ceremony on Saturday, September
17, 2005 marked the start of construction for the Maze Branch
renovation project. Speakers included Virginia and William
Cassin sharing memories of Adele Maze, Village of Oak Park
President David Pope, Library Board President Janet Kelenson,
Assistant Director and Maze Project Manager Jim Madigan,
and Maze Branch Manager Peggy Swanson. |
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September 2005
Construction began with preparations to demolish the western
extension of the building. The oval window with surrounding
limestone was removed from the south wall of the extension.
The window and stone will be reinstalled in the new addition.
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November 2005
The foundation has been excavated and the new foundation
walls have been poured. The area around the foundation walls
has been backfilled with gravel and pipes for plumbing have
been laid. Despite rain delays the pouring of the foundation
slab has begun and the project is still on track. The foundation
for the front entrance ramp has been completed. |
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December 2005
The cement walls and roof of the new addition have been
completed. The original oval window that was removed from
the building's extention in September is now installed in
its new location. The new addition has been draped in plasticized
tarp and the space heated so that masonry work can continue. |
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January 2006
The plasticized tarp that has draped the new addition since
December has been removed revealing a brick exterior matching
the original building. Sills are in place for windows to
be installed later in January. Glass block for the lower
level windows has been delivered to the site. The new interior
stairs have been installed and interior walls in the new
addition are being framed. |
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February 2006
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and sprinkler systems
have been installed. Village inspectors have been on site
to approve the completed work. Dry walling has begun. |
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Spring 2006
Interior work continues. New ceiling paneling has been installed
as have new pendulum and wall light fixtures. The icemelt
system for the front sidewalks has been installed and the
cement has been poured. |
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June 3, 2006
The historic Maze Branch Library
celebrated its grand re-opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony
featuring Richard Christiansen, famed Drama Critic for the
Chicago Tribune and native of Oak Park. |
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