Woodridge library renovations to focus on early literacy, technology

WOODRIDGE – In order to address the changing needs of library patrons and the goals of its long-range plan, the Woodridge Public Library plans to begin renovations in August with an eye on technology and early literacy.

The renovations will include creating additional study rooms on the library's main level, adding more charging stations for devices and strengthening the library's Wi-Fi.

The project also will look to transform the children's department into a destination space for families who want to improve early literacy and encourage continued reading success in their children, Library Administrator Susan McNeil-Marshall said at an informational meeting March 3.

For the last few years, libraries have built up their early literacy programming, but the Woodridge Public Library has been limited by the amount of space available in its children's department, she said.

"From the time that we did this building in 1997, the children's department really hasn't been big enough for the community that it serves," McNeil-Marshall said.

The renovations will open up the children's department to make room for a discovery area with hands-on activities and comfortable seating. New decor will feature brighter colors as well.

The library's long-range goals include increasing awareness of the library and its programs, providing residents with an attractive and functional facility, using public monies responsibly and adapting to meet the changing needs of the community.

In the past, people mostly came to the library after school and work hours, but now, the library sees people spend all day there on their laptops, turning the library into their home-away-from-home office, McNeil-Marshall said.

In 2014, the library had more than 4,300 requests to use its study rooms. In order to better accommodate those requests, the proposed renovations will add five new study rooms, she said. Currently, the library has six.

Other renovation highlights include consolidating the library's computer stations into a centralized computer commons with accessible staff assistance and refreshing the building's look with new carpet and paint.

The library will remain open during the project.

The funding for the renovations will come out of the library's operating expenses, said Jay Tiede, president of the library's Board of Trustees.

In December, the last of the bond payments for the library's 1997 renovation were retired, reducing the library's tax levy and residents' tax bills, Tiede said.

The bids for this latest project were higher than expected, so the library will be doing the work in phases, McNeil-Marshall said. Part of the project will include adding and relocating meeting rooms, but that will have to wait for now.

"We don't have surpluses to do that, so we have to go back and retool to move forward in a manner which we can continue to pay for it within our means and not ask the community for more money," Tiede said.

Most of the work is expected to be completed by November or December, McNeil-Marshall said.

Overall, Tiede expects the long-term changes to be beneficial for the community.

"It will be a bigger wow factor, particularly for the younger students to stimulate the early literacy programs and things that we're going to do and at the same time, make the operation more efficient personnel-wise," he said.

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Know more

For project updates, go to woodridgelibrary.org/renovation.