Thank you to everyone who attended CIP Public Listening Sessions with Lake Forest Library and HGA Architects. We appreciated your open minds as we presented on the project work completed to date and your meaningful comments on your hopes and dreams for the Library. We were grateful for the opportunity to clear up misunderstandings that were being heard in the community by providing accurate information and reassuring everyone that we share the same goal: providing world-class library services in a unique community from a beautifully restored and expanded historic building! Below are the sessions by date to view.
Why This Project and Why Now?
Built in 1931, the Library building has served Lake Forest residents well for decades. It is a beloved informational and cultural resource with outstanding art and architectural elements. However, time has taken a toll:
- The building’s infrastructure is aging, which limits library functionality and occupies staff time that would be better spent serving the public.
- There have been intermittent renovations in the building's nearly 90-year lifespan, resulting in areas that are difficult to navigate and do not address the need for improved accessibility.
- The Lake Forest community's expectations of modern libraries have outpaced the capacities of the building, which lacks adequate and flexible space to support the level of library materials, programs, services, and meeting rooms that are expected of a high-functioning library today and into the future.
These limitations severely restrict the Library's ability to fulfill its mission and to continue serving the Lake Forest community with excellence.
Stay Informed
The Library Board's work with HGA and The Hodge Group is conducted at special or regular board meetings that are open to the public. See www.lakeforestlibrary.org/board.
Overview of Project to date
Read the Full Timeline in the Executive Summary
2016
May: Library Board implemented new operational strategy
2017
May: Community Assessment completed
September: Library Board adopted new mission statement and new Strategic Plan
November: RFQ for Architectural Services issued
November: Dome wrapped to protect murals and library interior
2018
March: Retained HGA, Inc., architectural and engineering firm
April: HGA facilitated community and staff forums
September: HGA delivered feasibility study
September: Library issued RFP for capital campaign counsel
October: Library updated City Council
November: City advised Library to hold and enter triage period
December: Dome wrapped a second time to protect murals and library interior
2019
January: HGA delivered dome restoration report
January: Elevator service restored after four months
March: Redesign of Phase 2 of McKinley Road Development impacts Library’s potential expansion parcel
June: Updated the Mayor and City Administrators on Capital Improvement Project
August: Retained The Hodge Group (THG) as capital campaign counsel
November–December: THG interviewed philanthropic community
December: Incorporated The Lake Forest Library Foundation and filed for 501(c)(3) status
2020
January–February: THG interviewed philanthropic community and City Government
March: THG delivered feasibility report on philanthropic and government support
April: Building program assessment completed
April: Annual report shared with City Council and City Administrators
April: IRS awarded 501(c)(3) status to The Lake Forest Library Foundation
June: Annual report shared with stakeholders
April–August: Library Board and HGA work through pre-design and program study phase
July–August: Seat the Board of The Lake Forest Library Foundation
July–August: HGA, Library, City Administration, and HPC/Lake Forest Preservation Foundation hold subcommittee meetings
October: Introductory presentation to City Council at the Council's meeting on October 19
2021
January–current: The Lake Forest Library Foundation commences philanthropic work
March: Update presentation to City Council at the Council's meeting on March 15
April: Public listening sessions held online over four days; view the recordings above
Upcoming CIP Events
"Summer Reading Colors Your World" programs for all ages (Virtual)
Young Adult Advisory Board (Virtual)
Self-Guided StoryWalk® on the Library Lawn
StoryWalk® on the Lawn led by a Librarian
Used book donations accepted behind the Library (not at back dock)
Dungeons & Dragons: Horror in Barovia (Virtual)
The Library will remain at the 360 East Deerpath Road location based on community input. The Library will undergo a significant renovation, addressing the aging and obsolete infrastructure, as well as the significant ADA challenges, in the existing 1931 Edwin Clark building, and deliver new flexible spaces for library uses. The architect for the project is HGA, Inc.
Interior
The renovation will:
- Deliver flexible space that accommodates different groups at different times of the day.
- Relocate the Children's Library out of the basement providing open sight lines, natural light, appropriate height shelving, and interactive spaces for children and caregivers.
- Provide an enhanced Teen Library with dedicated collections, resources, and librarian support.
- Transform the current media lab into a creative space focused on collaboration, exploration, and sparking the imagination for patrons of all ages.
- Retain the reserve and quiet of the historic areas and progressively become active as the patron moves past the historic Rotunda to a flexible marketplace space equipped with shelving for new and high-interest items, self-check kiosks, self-serve holds pickup, and scattered conversation areas.
- Refurbish the Reed Room with flexible furniture, technology, and storage to enhance its use as a meeting space.
- Enhance the Kasian Room with a blend of flexible furniture, writable surfaces, technology, and attached storage for programs, classes, and tutoring spaces.
- Refurbish the quiet reading room on the first floor with flexible period-appropriate furniture that replaces the current unwieldy and inflexible furniture continuing its tradition as a quiet reading room. The new furniture will enable the layout of the space to flex/adjust for small readings and author events.
- House the adult print collection on appropriate height shelving and intersperse seating and tables for quiet study.
- Refurbish the original lobby with flexible seating to encourage community engagement and conversation.
- Install hearing loops in the meeting spaces.
- Deliver contactless self-service check options and sufficient internet bandwidth.
- Evaluate and include when practical sustainability features.
- Be undertaken with an awareness of other services and options in the community to avoid replication of services. The renovation does not include an auditorium, catering kitchen, reception spaces, or performance stage.
Interior Accessibility
The renovation will deliver a fully ADA compliant facility, addressing the Library’s current ADA issues with the elevator, restrooms, walkways, doorways, staircases, aisle widths, seating, service desks, shelving heights, outdoor space access points. Design elements will be responsive to individuals with physical and mental challenges and differences.
Exterior
The exterior renovation of the north wing will be done in a manner sympathetic to the original 1931 building.
The new site plan:
- Envisions the addition of ADA compliant parking conveniently located near a new accessible entrance in the north addition.
- Reverses the current traffic flow for pedestrian safety and more convenient return of materials.
- Anticipates additional parking spaces.
- Does not adversely impact on the Library's front lawn.
Operations
- The administrative offices will be relocated to the lower level to allocate the higher quality first floor space to patron use.
- Other office spaces will be consolidated for better workflow and collaboration.
- Implementation of new materials handling technology will create more efficient workflows.
Infrastructure & Systems
- The historic leaded copper dome and substructure will be replaced and the brick and limestone pedestal stabilized.
- New mechanicals will replace aging non-ADA compliant elevator, consolidate five separate HVAC systems into one modern efficient system, and upgrade electrical and plumbing.
- Updated HVAC systems will deliver life safety measures to meet post-pandemic era needs.
- Roof, foundation, and exterior brick water infiltration issues will be addressed.
Financing
- The Library Capital Improvement Project is a private/public partnership.
- The Lake Forest Library Foundation was created to raise private philanthropic funds to complete the capital improvement project and establish an endowment to ensure the Library for future generations. The Foundation Board is Diana Terlato, President, Mark Saran, Vice President, L. Robert Pasquesi, Treasurer, Debbie Saran, Director, and Germaine Arnson, Secretary and representative to the Library Board. The capital campaign counsel is The Hodge Group.
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