Nichols Library reopens with new features in Naperville
It was time for a grand reopening Wednesday at Nichols Library in downtown Naperville, where renovations have been progressing over the past eight months to give the facility a fresh look.
The library celebrated the conclusion of the $2.3 million project as visitors enjoyed a new "tech buffet," a new children's makerspace, a new program space and teen area, and an updated community room.
The work to brighten up the 30-year-old building also means the library now provides more outlets for visitors to plug in their electronic devices, a safer staircase and renovated lobby, energy-efficient lighting, additional meeting rooms and new furniture, paint, signs and doors.
The library largely remained open during the renovations, but closed a few times for work such as moving stacks of books, replacing carpet and improving the main staircase.
The recently completed renovations are part of a three-year plan under which the library will renovate all of its buildings.
Naper Boulevard, the smallest of the three, was finished in April 2015 for about $1 million, which added new computers, flooring, furniture, lighting and accessibility improvements.
An architect is working on designs for renovations to take place next year at the 95th Street Library, the newest of the facilities at roughly a dozen years old. The project is expected to cost about $2 million for work to improve or replace furniture, flooring and group spaces.