Schaumburg library details renovation plans

Schaumburg Township District Library officials are sharing more details about the $1.4 million renovation expected to begin just after Labor Day in the lobby and Audiovisual Theatre of the central library at 130 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg.

Demolition will take about two or three days, and a temporary impact on access to the full audiovisual collection is anticipated, Executive Director Stephanie Sarnoff said.

But the library, which is the largest holder of audiovisual materials in the Chicago area, will remain so after the renovation, she added.

New, more efficient shelving will create five times the capacity for audiovisual materials within a smaller footprint and ease browsing.

Among the other changes are the repackaging of older CDs, allowing the library to dispose of their bulkier jewel cases. Newer CDs will retain their jewel cases for a while to assist with anti-theft technology.

Audiovisual materials are monitored for the frequency of their circulation, with those not checked out for about five years considered for removal, Sarnoff said. But other factors also are considered, such as the condition of materials and the presence of alternates within the collection.

No audiovisual materials are ever thrown out, however. They're donated to other institutions like Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital, Sarnoff said.

Some of the decor from the old area will be made available at the next book sale, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, but the hand-painted movie posters will be held back until their actual value can be determined.

The renovation is expected to be complete in December, and will result in a new program room, seating and furniture that will allow patrons to collaborate, and increased Wi-Fi capabilities.