FAQs about the Remodel

Below are some questions and answers about the remodel:

What’s being remodeled?

The Lower Level Entrance: construction will provide a larger vestibule and is designed to improve energy efficiency by reducing heat loss and cooling loss when the doors are open. While construction is ongoing the lower level entrance will be closed. Construction is expected to be completed in January.

The Adult Services Room: the completed project will offer collaborative study rooms, a digital media center, upgraded electrical and data lines, new carpet and furnishings, and ADA compliant aisles between book stacks.

Exterior Masonry: Steel supports in the building’s four towers will be repaired after an inspection revealed rusting. Deteriorated exterior grout between the stones is being repaired with tuck pointing.

How long will the remodel last?

The remodel starts October 22, 2012 and is expected to last into January, 2013.

Will there be any service interruptions?

We will try to limit service interruptions as much as possible. However, the remodel of the lower level area requires that it be completely closed from October 22nd to January, 2013. Only the front entrance on Laurel Avenue may be used.

There will be periods of time when the Adult Services room will have to be closed, as well. See our Project Timeline on the back for more information. Room closings will be shared on our website at hplibrary.org and via our social media accounts.

What about storytimes and other programs held in the Auditorium?

The Auditorium and Meeting Room will remain open for programs, including the Friends’ Book Sale and the Halloween Railroad. The elevator and stairwell also will remain open.

Will the FAX machine, scanner, and pay phone be available?

The FAX machine will not be available, but the pay phone in the lower lobby will still be available for you to use. The scanner will be available in the Group Study area in the Adult Services Room.

What about computer access and Wi-Fi?

The computer lab will close, but six Internet access computers will be re-located to the Alyce Brenner Room. Reservation software and computer printer will be available, as will Wi-Fi access.

Where will staff and collections be moved?

Reference Services will relocate to a temporary desk adjacent to the Readers’ Advisors desk and to the north end of the Circulation desk. Computer Assistants will relocate to the Lobby/Alyce Brenner area. Reference and Readers’ Advisors work area will be relocated to the Administration offices. New audio books, video games, back issues of newspapers, and Book Club titles will be moved to the Lobby when the Adult Services Room is closed and Reference & Readers’ Advisory staff will be relocated to the north end of the Circulation Desk.

What about parking?

If the library lot is full, please park in the public garages on the corner of Laurel & St. John. Regular parking rules are in effect, so be aware of any parking restrictions. Do not park in the lot across the street from the Library, as you may be ticketed. An additional 2-hour handicapped parking space has been added in front of the library, on Laurel Avenue. View a graphic of places you can park here.

Will the Adult Services Room be completely inaccessible? What about materials and interlibrary loan?

During Adult Services Room closures, Reference and Readers’ Advisory will retrieve materials from the Adult Services Room as permitted. While we will not send out our Highland Park materials during this time, we will still be able to interlibrary loan materials from other libraries. Anticipated Adult Services Room closure dates are October 23-26 and again for 2 weeks in mid-December.

What about the furniture?

Furniture not used following the redesign will be removed, except some furniture will be retained until new furniture arrives in January. Furniture that is being removed has been listed on an online auction site.

What about book donations?

During the remodeling, the Friends of the Library are unable to receive book donations. View a list of local places that will receive your book donations here.

How are these projects being funded?

The City of Highland Park allocated $1.275 million for maintenance and improvements to the library. These funds came from the City’s reserve fund and will not impact resident tax rates. In addition, the Library will use the Library’s own Special Reserve Funds to supplement the City’s allocation. Use of these funds will not impact resident tax rates.

Questions about the remodel? Please contact Library Executive Director Jane Conway at (847) 432-0720 or jconway@hplibrary.org.

Return to the Library Remodel Page