After years of discussion, Glencoe residents will soon decide whether the village’s public library should undergo a $20 million renovation.
On March 17, Glencoe residents will vote on whether to support an advisory referendum for a $17.5 million bond sale. Proceeds would help fund a major renovation of the library at 320 Park Avenue.
Library officials say the changes are needed because the building has not undergone a comprehensive renovation since opening in 1941.
“It is not conducive to the services we offer right now,” Library Director Andrew Kim said.
In 2021, the library board and staff began discussions about potential changes to the building and ultimately retained the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to design the project. Last year they unveiled a plan highlighted by:
• A nearly 4,000-square-foot expansion bringing the building to just over 26,000 square feet
•New flexible spaces including a program and community room that can accommodate up to 150 people
•New child-friendly spaces
•A revamped lower level with an open-air plan and full accessibility
•Better views with enhanced daylight and connectivity to neighboring Wyman Green, the space between the library and Village Hall
The renovation is currently estimated to cost about $20 million, leading to the $17.5 million advisory referendum question on the ballot. Kim said the proposal would mean an additional $135 in property taxes for every $10,000 currently paid.
Unlike other bond sale referendums for separate units of government, the vote is advisory because under Illinois law the library is designated as a local library. While libraries have authority over their operations and budgets, they cannot levy their own property taxes, which must be done by the village.
As a result, the Village Board would have to formally issue the bonds. Village Board President Howard Roin said the board will adhere to the community’s wishes.
The library is seeking support following several other measures put forward by local governments in recent years.
These include the village’s $15 million referendum in 2023 at the Glencoe Golf Club, which will pay for construction of a new clubhouse/pro shop and many other changes; a nearly $15 million bond sale in 2024 by the Glencoe Park District to fund enhancements at the beach and parks and other facilities; and the township-wide $89 million measure in 2014 at New Trier High School to renovate the Winnetka campus.
Kim acknowledged concerns about “referendum fatigue” among some residents but said the board and staff believe the renovation represents an important need.
“Our collective hope is that our residents agree and vote to pass the referendum,” he said. “We have not heard of any organized opposition to our referendum. But we’re not naive. We know that some residents will vote against it even if they see the library as a source of community pride and a valuable resource.”
To offset a portion of the projected costs, the Campaign Advisory Council was established to raise private funds, with library board members Michael Pope and Linda Lin serving as co-chairs.
Pope said the capital campaign has currently raised nearly $2 million through pledges and donations.
“It shows the community that we have been working on it ourselves,” Pope said.
Pope said he hopes additional funds will be raised if the measure passes.
In February, the Village Board approved two special-use permits for the project to ensure it complies with existing regulations.
“Their plan looks OK to me and I think we should get out of the way,” Roin said.
If the referendum passes, Kim anticipates a two-year construction project beginning in late 2026 or early 2027. Staff would be retained and library services would remain available to residents, although operations could move temporarily to a site that has not yet been determined.
But before that can happen, the community must decide.
“If we can refresh the building where we know this building will stand and be in place for up to 50 years beyond this time,” Kim said, “that is very exciting and a worthwhile endeavor.”
