The Oak Brook Public Library is hosting a community meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday to allow patrons to express their wants for the library’s future.
Library officials are in the process of planning possible improvements and physical repairs and will have representatives from both the architectural and construction firms involved in the work that will be planned and completed.
The meeting will be led by ARCON Associates Inc., a firm specializing in comprehensive, inspired, and adaptable educational architecture. Nicholas Construction also will be represented.
“The meeting is so that our patrons can tell representatives from Nicholas Construction and ARCON Associates what they like about the Oak Brook Public Library and what they’d prefer was different about the library,’ said Jacob Post, head librarian. “With the building being almost 25 years old, mechanical systems and other infrastructure are starting to show their age and the library would like to have a plan in place for the coming years and know the costs associated with any projects.”
Post said this will be the second community meeting soliciting input, as an initial meeting was held in January. Representatives from the firms have also set up a table in the lobby of the library multiple times to speak with patrons about how they use the library and its services, he said.
“Hopefully the meeting has a good turnout,” Post said. “It is important for the community to be involved in the planning process and have input.”
After deciding last year to take a look at making improvements to the library, the Oak Brook Village Board approved the expenditure of $25,000 in July 2023 to hire a consultant to do an assessment of the needs and opportunities for such potential work.
Village Manager Greg Summers said village officials want to develop a new plan to proactively guide decision-making over the next several years at the library, 600 Oak Brook Road.
“The current building was constructed in 2002 and is reaching an age where it is time to reexamine both ongoing maintenance obligations as well as assess any potential changes to maximize use of the public asset,” he said.
Post said the library is approximately 25,000 square feet and houses more than 90,000 items in addition to providing space for the community to gather for meetings and events.
He said in 2022 the library had 57,846 people walk through its doors and 155,667 items were checked out. Those numbers have increased since that time. More than 4,600 Oak Brook residents have a library card.
Post said the library’s core service continues to be loaning patrons educational and entertaining materials.
“However, we are finding more and more patrons looking for quiet areas in the library to work and study,” he said “In addition to quiet areas, patrons are requesting small to midsize meeting spaces for group work. Currently, this is something the library lacks.”
Post said the library building is getting older and maintenance is becoming an issue.
“The well-used building is starting to depreciate and show its age. We want to be thoughtful in how we address aging infrastructure, while also looking at opportunities to adjust or expand services in a fiscally responsible way,” he said.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.