Your Library. Reimagined.
Project Overview
The Highland Park Public Library (Library) is moving forward with the next steps for a 2025-2026 expansion of the Library, based on a needs assessment, strategic planning, and resident feedback to better meet community demand for space and services.
Background
In 2017, Williams Architects conducted a comprehensive needs assessment for the Library. This assessment incorporated input from the public through surveys, which played a crucial role in shaping the final evaluation determining that the current building layout was not meeting the needs of patrons.
In 2020, the Library completed an interior renovation to address some of the needs identified in the assessment including remodeling existing spaces to create a Youth Services storytime & program room, a Middle School Room, and five additional group meeting rooms.
In 2021, the Library Board of Trustees and administration completed a three-year strategic plan for 2022-2024. The planning process included a community input survey, focus groups and findings from the 2017 assessment. The information gathered in this process was utilized by the board and administration to identify eight facility needs to help the Library meet the community’s needs and desires for an expanded physical space.
In 2022, the Library selected an architect to provide designs to address the eight identified needs. The City of Highland Park included this project in the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan for possible construction in 2025.
If you have any questions, would like to provide feedback, or wish to be added to an email group that will receive regular updates about this project, please contact the Library’s Executive Director, Heidi Smith at 847-432-0720 or email hsmith@hplibrary.org.
News
Future Goals to Address Remaining Needs
Flexible Spaces
Flexible program/meeting space with seating for up to 175 for meetings, classes, and training without service disruptions.
Spaces for Technology
Enhanced creative studio or makerspace.
Enhanced Service
Expanded Youth Services areas for reading, study, collections and play.
Enlarged historical archive space.
Improved Access
Investigate and address parking concerns.
Larger, ADA-accessible elevator.
Larger, ADA-accessible family restrooms.
Infrastructure Updates
Potential fire sprinkler system.
Potential updated mechanical equipment.
Project Snapshot
Expansion Specs
7,500 sq. ft. (est.) Addition
Existing Building sq. ft. — 47,050
Project Length — 18 months, (est.)
Project Budget — $5.5 M, est. (est.)
Funding Sources
Library Special Reserve Fund
Possible grants and gifts
General obligation bond
(pending City Council approval)
Timeline
2022 — Architect selection
2023 — Design/including community input phase
2024 — Design review phase
2025 – 2026 — Construction
Frequently Asked Questions
Background
The Library first opened in 1931 as a 20,000-square-foot facility. An 8,000-square-foot Youth Services addition was built to the west of the building in 1960. The Library last underwent an expansion in 1976 with a 19,000-square-foot Adult Services addition.
The current Library facility lacks many modern features and has operational constraints. Notably, the Library’s Youth Services area is smaller compared to comparable community libraries and is not conducive to provide a full level of youth library services for the community.
In 2020, the Youth Services department was reconfigured in order to create an activity room for programs, crafts, and more. To better meet the needs of the community’s youth, the Library recommends an expansion of the Youth Department to provide space for reading, study, collections, and play.
Recent remodeling projects have maximized options without expanding the space. To meet key needs as referenced in the 2017 needs assessment, expansion of the Library is necessary.
The Library welcomes an average of 800 visitors per day (10-year average).
Youth participation increased notably with a 23% increase in youth program attendance between 2003 (16,571 attendees) and 2019 (20,491 attendees). Also, youth storytime attendance rose by 189% from 2003 (2,299 attendees) to 2019 (6,648 attendees).
The Library receives meeting room requests from various community groups such as book groups, the League of Women Voters, scout troops, military family support groups, condo associations, the Chamber of Commerce, the Sister Cities Foundation, and more.
The expanded Library will offer improved accessibility, up-to-date amenities, and enhanced services to all residents in a central location, supporting the educational, social, and cultural needs of residents of all ages for many years to come.
FGM, a Chicago-based design firm, was hired in 2006 to review the current library facility and future space needs. FGM’s findings recommended an additional 25,000 square feet.
Engberg Anderson, a Milwaukee-based architectural firm, was hired in January 2008 to provide pre-construction services. The scope of the expansion project was reduced from 25,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet due to budgetary constraints. $6 million was earmarked for the project by City Council in the summer of 2008. The 2008, 10,000 square foot addition was to be located on the south and west sides of the Library with the majority of the structure built on property owned by the Library. A small portion of the building was to crossover to Park District land. The Library received assurances from the Park District Board that use of the Park District land would be allowed. Designs for the addition were presented to the Design Review Commission in May of 2009. Soon thereafter, the project was suspended due to the nationwide economic downturn.
The City Council approved funding in 2012 to remodel the Adult Services wing and building entries. The project included the addition of four small group meeting rooms but did not address the need for an expanded Youth Department and several other critical space needs.
In 2017, Williams Architects performed a formal needs assessment of the Library while also exploring options to create a Community Campus including other City services. At the culmination of Williams’ work, it was determined that the other City services would not be included in the Library’s proposed expansion.
In 2020, the Library completed an interior reconfiguration and renovation to repurpose space for a Youth Services storytime and program room, a larger Film & Music area, a Middle School Room, and five additional group meeting rooms. No square footage was added to the building.
Architecture and Planning
Yes. The expansion will complement the current design of the Highland Park Public Library.
No, there will not be a LEED requirement for this project, although environmental-friendly design and construction elements will be encouraged as part of the planning process.
In 2022, the Library issued a request for proposals for professional architectural and engineering services for design and construction.
Based on the 2017 Williams needs assessment, which gathered public input on the project through a variety of public engagement meetings, the architects are preparing preliminary plans and options for the expansion of the Library, as well as a parking study to assess on-site parking to accommodate Library use. They will also conduct a preliminary engineering plan.
The library building currently has fewer square feet per capita than other comparable community libraries.
The expansion will add 7,500 square feet (est.) of public space. The square footage will be contained in the architectural drawings presented to the City and Library at the conclusion of the 2023 design phase.
The Library included a parking assessment requirement in the request for proposal for architectural and engineering services to understand the parking needs of visitors to the Library. Next steps to address the parking concerns shared by the community will be based off that assessment to ensure that accessing the Library is easy for all.
Maintaining green spaces in the area surrounding the Library will be a priority when designing the expansion.
Understanding and anticipating any possible effects an expansion of the Library building may have on the stormwater system that flows into the ravine behind the Library will be a priority in the design process.
Maintaining the look and feel of the current Library is a high priority. Any expansion to the Library will be designed with the intent to enhance the look and feel with a cohesive, overall appearance.
The effects an expansion will have on local traffic will be carefully considered as part of the design process.
Mitigating the expanded Library’s impact on the surrounding neighbors will be a priority when designing the expansion.
Expansion Location
The properties located at 444 and 466 Laurel Avenue were listed for sale in approximately the beginning of March, 2016. In light of the interest in expansion of the Library, the City began negotiations with the property owners of the subject properties in the first quarter, 2016 to negotiate a possible purchase of the properties. The intent was to explore a Library expansion with increased parking capacity and to also evaluate the possibility of relocating the Senior and the City’s Youth Services programs to an expanded Library facility. The purchase of the two properties make a facility or parking expansion project more feasible.
The City Council approved the residential real estate contract for the acquisition of the subject properties at the October 24, 2016 City Council regular meeting. The City closed on the properties in December 2016.
The Park District of Highland Park, City, and Library are exploring the possible use of their land for expansion purposes. The Park District has not formally authorized the use of their land by the City or the Library. If expansion to the west or south is deemed appropriate, the City and Library would seek formal approval from their respective corporate authorities.
Financial Considerations
The Library will provide a final estimate once the planning and design work is complete for the building addition. The City and Library have included $5.5 million for 2025 in the Capital Improvement Plan for the Library expansion.
The Library will carry the cost of the construction. The Library and City have included the proposed development in its Capital Improvement Plan as part of the Library’s 2025 budget.
The Library has been making annual contributions to the Special Reserve Fund to fund at least $2 million of the project. The Library is also working toward grant and gift funding to supplement tax dollars funding the project. The remainder of the project would be funded by general obligation bond, pending City Council approval.
Construction
It is anticipated that the project would proceed through the City’s Plan & Design Commission process in 2024 with construction anticipated in 2025-2026.
While certain sections of the Library adjacent to construction zones will need to be closed off for safety reasons from time to time, we anticipate that the Library will largely continue to function as it has during recent major renovations. All efforts will be made to minimize the impact on the services the Library offers.
Community Feedback
Absolutely. Public feedback is valued and was gathered at various steps along the way through surveys and focus groups.
Community involvement is also a key requirement of the request for proposal for the new architect.
Additionally, the City of Highland Park will hold neighborhood meetings in 2024 to share information about the proposed project and invite preliminary feedback from neighboring property owners. Notification of these neighborhood meetings will be issued to property owners within 400’ of the subject site. This is the parameter that is used for all public hearings held within the City.
If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, please contact the Library’s Executive Director, Heidi Smith, at 847-432-0720 or email hsmith@hplibrary.org
Regular updates will be posted at reimaginehppl.info.
Contact the Library’s Executive Director at 847-432-0720 or email hsmith@hplibrary.org to be added to an email group that will receive regular updates about this project.