THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2006
Library To Look Again At Space Needs
By DWIGHT ESAU
Journal Reporter
It's been more than four years since the big community debate about a possible new public library building that was rejected by Park Ridge residents in an advisory referendum.
Since then, the library has completed about $1.5 million worth of upgrades to its building, and it has conducted another staff analysis of its space needs, now and in the future.
To probably no one's surprise, it has concluded, again, that its space is inadequate compared to the demands of patrons and residents. According to Librarian Janet Van de Carr, the library board now plans to put $50,000 in the city's 2008-09 budget for a feasibility study of just how this space shortfall should be addressed - through an addition, remodeling, or a new building.
"Our long term projection still indicates that we are short of space, and we feel we have addressed the city council's request that we upgrade our facility and take another good look at how we use the space we have and how our space meets the needs of patrons and residents," Van de Carr said. "We have completed just about all of that process, and now we want to renew the process of planning for the future."
Back in 2002, the library board recommended to the city that a new, larger library building replace the current one on Library Square in Uptown. Several aldermen criticized the proposal and an advisory referendum on a new building at a cost of about $20 million was rejected by a solid majority of voters in an advisory referendum.
Several officials asked the library to evaluate its operations, to make sure it was utilizing its existing space in the best way possible.
In an extensive capital improvement program during the last four years, the library has remodeled its public meeting spaces, upgraded its HVAC and electrical infrastructure, tuck pointed much of its exterior, re-paved its parking lot, and removed all asbestos from its interior.
"We also did some roof work, but a large part of our roof remains to be upgraded," Van De Carr said.
In 2004-05, an architect prepared several preliminary concept plans for an addition on the western and possibly the northern sides of the present building, which is about 45 years old. No action has been taken on them.
While Van De Carr did not provide details this week, she has said in the past that the library still does not have adequate space for its children's and youth activities, its reference department and stacks, and meeting space.