A significant improvement project at the Hinsdale Public Library is scheduled to continue throughout the rest of the year.
The $4 million project is funded with the library’s existing capital reserves, set aside for building repairs, maintenance, and improvements, said John Kokoris, the library’s marketing & outreach manager.
He said the project was the result of a series of community conversations conducted in 2022 by the Library Board that led to a 2023-25 strategic plan.
“One of the top priorities to come out of this process was finding ways to make our space more flexible, accessible, and welcoming, especially as the ways our community use the library have changed so much since the pandemic,” Kokoris said. “We hired architects to audit the ways our building could be improved, and then we created a plan that could be paid for using our capital reserves, implemented in phases to keep the library open, and laser-focused on making high-demand areas more accommodating.”
Kokoris said 2006 was the last time the board had evaluated the building holistically.
“We have had a handful of small projects since then — study room construction, a small meeting room, and a new service desk,” he said.
The first phase of work on the new project includes creating a more flexible Storytime space and stairwell widening.
‘Our Storytimes are almost always full,” Kokoris said. “A new layout will allow more room for caregivers, better lighting, and flexibility for others to use the space in between sessions.”
The stairwell widening will modify the stairs to the lower level to improve traffic flow and visibility, allowing clear lines of sight from the Youth Services desk, he said.
Additional work will move the teen space to the lower level in an effort to help keep adult spaces quieter, while providing teens with more room “to be themselves,” Kokoris said. Other patrons can use this space while teens are in school, he added.
A meeting room will be moved to the main floor to make it easier to access and create more space for children and teens on the lower level. Patrons can use the room when there are no events.
One additional study room will be added, and the public service desks will be reconfigured to better serve patrons, Kokoris said.
Lastly, worn carpeting will be replaced and lighting will be upgraded in parts of the building.
“We planned this project in phases so we could remain open and continue offering access to programs and collections, even if they move around a bit throughout the year,” Kokoris said. “Certain parts of the building may be inaccessible for short periods of time, but our staff will help patrons get whatever they need.”
When work is completed, library patrons will have a building that works better for them, as it will be more flexible, accessible and welcoming, he said.
“They’ll have more usable space, more room for early literacy programming, better lighting, and easier access to our community room,” he said. “Our teens will have more room to be themselves in the lower level, and adults will have more room on the main floor for meetings, co-working, and quiet study.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
