Maze Branch Renovation Project: Completed 2006 Renovation Process
Planned work at the Maze Branch Library
included upgrades to heating, air-conditioning, and wiring;
repairing drainage problems; and improving handicapped accessibility.
With the new Main Library construction
coming in under budget, the $476,000 originally earmarked for
Maze Branch renovation through the voter
approved referendum was increased. Additional funds were
raised through the Bricks for Maze Fundraiser
and through support from State Senators
Lightford and Harmon.
The Maze Branch Library closed at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July
30 to begin renovation. The Maze Branch collection was moved
to off-site storage then asbestos was removed as part of the
environmental remediation. A small ground-breaking ceremony
on September 17, 2005 marked the start of the renovation project.
The original western extension of the building was then demolished
and an addition was constructed in its place. The new addition
includes expanded shelving for the collection, an elevator accessible
to all levels, and glass block windows on the lower level to
improve lighting. The project resulted in making the Maze Branch
accessible to people with disabilities. Renovations removed
the architectural barriers at the main entrance and constructed
an interior ramp to the raised children's area of the main reading
room. The project also upgraded the operating systems of the
building to achieve reliability, efficiency, and safety. This
included new electrical wiring, new heating and air conditioning,
a sprinkler system, and new data cabling.
The Architect
On April 22, 2004 the Board of Library Trustees voted to execute
a contract with FGM Architects
and Engineers of Oak Brook. Alan Armbrust, Architect and
Project Manager for the Maze Branch, has extensive experience
with small libraries.
General Contractor
On August 11, 2005 the Board of Library Trustees voted to execute
a contract with Doherty Construction as General Contractor for
the Maze Branch renovation project. Doherty Construction is
based in Woodstock, IL.
Building Committee
The building committee, includes library staff Jim Madigan,
Peggy Swanson, and Ralph Meschewski; Library
Board members John Hayes, Naomi Law, Betsy Kalmar, and Steve
Fruth; and community members Francis Figg, an architect and
long-time member of the Friends
of the Library Board, Joe Rippin, corporate attorney and
active library user with young children, and Carrol Smith, a
participant of Maze Book Discussions
and library user.
Public Input
The Board of Library Trustees sought out public input regarding
the needs of the community as they related to the renovation
project. Three neighborhood/public meetings were held at the
Maze Branch in July 2004 to hear suggestions and answer questions.
Public suggestions included: retain the building's character,
improve the lighting, make the building and its restrooms accessible,
increase the number of computers, increase public seating, glass
enclose the terrace as a year-round reading room, and integrate
the lower level with the rest of the building. Further tours
and forums were conducted during the fall of 2004. Public meetings
to discuss the proposed construction scope commenced in January
2005 and continued into April 2005, concluding with a presentation
before the Historic Preservation Commission.
Renovations Plans
The architect's proposed drawings,
below, resulted from working with the building
committee and public input.
East Elevation
The character of the building was maintained. A new ramp to
the front entrance makes the building accessible.
Site Plan
A new ramp to the front entrance makes the building accessible.
The western addition was expanded.
First Floor
Plan
A new elevator and ramp makes all building levels accessible.
The expanded western addition houses more shelving for library
materials.
Basement Level
Public space on the basement level was expanded to include public
computers and an additional, smaller meeting room. A new elevator
makes this level accessible.
Landscape
Plans
Oak Park landscape architect, Carol Yetken, planned the
Maze Branch landscape to include fragrant flowers in the spring,
colorful blooms in the summer, and a mix of leaf colors in the
fall. Most of the plants are low maintenance. Engraved bricks,
purchased through the the Bricks for Maze
Fundraiser, will be installed at the south west corner of
the Maze lot to create a storytime plaza.
Trees and
Ornamentals:
Amelanchier canadensis (Shadblow Serviceberry)
Magnolia x loebner "Merrill" (Merrill Loebner Magnolia)
Syringa reticulata "Ivory Silk" (Ivory Silk Tree Lilac)
Shrubs:
Diervilla
sessifolia "Butterfly" (Butterfly Southern Bush-Honeysuckle)
Hydrangea arborescens "Dardom" (White Dome Smooth
Hydrangea)
Hypericum Kalmianum (Kalms St. Johnswort)
Rhus aromatica "Gro-low" (Gro-low Sumac)
Rosa "Flower Carpet Appleblossom" (Appleblossom Flower
Carpet Rose)
Taxus cuspidata "Nana" (Dwarf Japanese Yew)
Thuja occidentalis "Techny" (Mission American Arborvitae)
Virburnum dentatum (Arrowwood Virburnum)
Virburnum x Judd (Judd Fragrant Virburnum)
Groundcovers
and Perennials:
Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper Euonymus)
Hosta sieboldlana (Siebold's Hosta)
Larger image of
the North East corner
Larger image of
the South East corner
Larger image of
the South West corner
Maze Branch Eligible for Historic Landmark
Designation
 As
a result of a nomination, the Historic Preservation Commission
at their August 11, 2005 hearing made a preliminary determination
that the Maze Branch Library is
eligible for Historic Landmark designation. The Commission then
reviewed the Maze Branch renovation plans,
particularly the changes to the front entrance to make the building
accessible. After this review the Commission voted to issue
a conditional Certificate of Appropriateness. The Historic Landmark
designation process will continue at public hearings of the
Historic Preservation Commission. The Maze Branch opened in
1936...more Maze Branch history.
Oak Park Landmark Status
The Village Board of Trustees unanimously approved designation
of the Maze Branch Library as an Oak Park Landmark at their
November 7, 2005 meeting. The Library will receive a bronze
plaque for placement on the building.
Oak Park State Senators Allocate Funds to Maze Library
 State
Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-4) and State Senator Don Harmon
(D-39) announced in March 2006 that they each allocated funds
to be distributed to the Oak Park Public Library in the amount
of $100,000 for capital expenses related to renovation of the
Maze Branch Library. Both allocations, a total of $200,000,
will be funded through grants administered by the Illinois Department
of Commerce and Economic Development. Both State Senators toured
the Maze Branch Library during the period of public input, Senator
Harmon in November 2004 and Senator Lightford in February 2005.
Library Board President Janet Kelenson and Assistant Director
Jim Madigan met with each of the Senators in April 2005 to discuss
the plans for the Maze Branch Library. "We greatly appreciate
the personal interest of State Senator Lightford and State Senator
Harmon in the Maze Branch Library," stated Library Board
President Janet Kelenson. "The Maze Branch is a well-used,
well loved library facility, and these funds will be of great
assistance in renovating the building so it can be accessible
to all members of our community."
Bricks for Maze Fundraiser
 The
Maze Brick Fundraiser sold 217 bricks to support the Maze Branch
Library Renovation effort. The $26,850 in raised funds were
used to refurbish the lights and other items. The engraved bricks
were installed in the south west corner to create a storytime
plaza. Thank you to all who have already participated by buying
a brick.
Grand Re-Opening June 3, 2006
 The
historic Maze Branch Library celebrated
its grand re-opening after being closed for nearly a year for
renovation. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday,
June 3, 2006 featured special guest speaker Richard Christiansen.
Richard Christiansen is the famed Drama Critic for the Chicago
Tribune. He is a native of Oak Park and shared reminiscences
of his days as a child frequenting the then South Branch Library
with Adele Maze as Library Director. He has a sincere appreciation
for the value of branch libraries in general and the Maze Branch
in particular. Live music and light refreshments were available.
An original piano piece composed for the event by Maze staff
member Hakim Murphy was played by Dr. Harry Steckman. The Library
staff and Board of Trustees thanks
everyone who purchased a Maze Brick to
support the renovation project. Many thanks also to State Senators
Don Harmon and Kimberly Lightford for their efforts in gaining
$200,000 in state funds for the renovation.
Grand Re-Opening Photos
Representative LaShawn K. Ford Helps Get Grant for Maze
Branch
 Illinois
Representative LaShawn K. Ford, (D) - 8th District, was instrumental
in obtaining a $100,000 state grant for the Oak Park Public
Library to use at the Maze Branch. The grant is from the Department
of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and was awarded in October
2007. Among the projects that will be funded with this grant
are: tuckpointing of the terrace limestone which was loosened
during construction, irrigation of the property to maintain
landscaping, improvements to accessibility for people with disabilities
and for bicyclists. Representative Ford met at the Maze Branch
Library in the fall of 2007 with Oak Park Public Library Director
Dee Brennan and Assistant Director Jim Madigan.
More
About Maze
The Maze Branch opened in 1936....more
Maze Branch history.
Last updated: 10/22/06
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