Fox Lake Public Library moves into spacious new digs

It's huge - that's what many people said as they walked through the front doors of the new Fox Lake Public Library for the first time.

"It really is spacious," Assistant Librarian Cindy Lobaza said. "But, we wanted it large so we have room to grow."

The $15 million library at 255 E. Grand Ave. opened to a ribbon cutting, a marching band and cheering at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Of special importance was the ceremonial last book move-in, in which the last book from the old library passed from student to student into the new facility, Lobaza said.

"It was also the last book that was moved into the older building, so it's a special book to us," she said.

The two-floor library features a periodical room, 35 computers, a large children's section and multiple meeting and quiet rooms.

"It's beautiful," resident Diane Vileta said. "It's a vast improvement over what we used to have."

Still to come during the second phase of construction, Lobaza said, is an Internet cafe, meeting rooms capable of holding more than 40 people, and an expanded parking lot.

The second phase will begin after demolition of the old library is completed in early May.

Funding to build the new library was approved by voters in fall 2008.

Pam Renaker, former Grant High School teacher and Fox Lake Library board member, said she was amazed at the facility as she wandered around.

"This really is a jewel stone for Fox Lake," she said. "And, it's so cool that the people of Fox Lake had the foresight to approve this referendum to create this facility."

The library district serves residents in Fox Lake, Ingleside, Lakemoor, McHenry, and parts of Round Lake, and Spring Grove.