Library, Libertyville still at odds over parking lot

Libertyville village leaders and the Cook Memorial Public Library District board remain at odds over proposed changes to the library's parking lot.

Mayor Terry Weppler and the village board have requested the library board change how cars enter and leave the library lot at 413 N. Milwaukee Ave. to accommodate summer street events such as a farmers market at Libertyville Days.

The library board has been reluctant to make changes, primarily citing safety concerns.

The two boards have been closing in on an agreement that would widen the entrance on Brainerd Avenue to accommodate two-way traffic.

It also would call for the Church Street exit to close during certain special events in the downtown area.

On Tuesday, the village board approved an intergovernmental agreement for the project. The library board rejected the deal.

The plan is “less than ideal,” library board President Bonnie Quirke said.

Quirke and her board members have worried that changing the way cars enter and leave the parking lot during occasional summertime events could be dangerous for motorists and pedestrians.

Quirke wants experts to review the plan.

“We want assurances that it's as safe as can be,” she said.

Additionally, Quirke said her board wants the village to accept legal responsibility if an accident does occur in the lot.

As such, the library trustees asked its attorney to review areas of the proposal that concerned them, Quirke said.

Cook Memorial officials also think the village needs to notify library staff earlier than planned if they want to close the Church Street exit for events.

Weppler said village leaders already have said they'd notify the library about upcoming events that would require the exit to be closed on Jan. 1 each year.

As for the safety concerns, he said village leaders want the parking lot to be safe, too.

“If there are concerns, we need to address them,” he said.