What we know about the CIP to date

Posted February 19, 2021.

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

Exterior

Operations

Infrastructure & Systems

Financing

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.