Cook library expansion plans to change

Despite an earlier threat to abandon expanding the main Cook Memorial Public Library if Libertyville trustees didn't approve architectural plans, library officials have agreed to alter the designs to meet the village board's wishes.

The facility now will expand at ground level onto what's currently the parking lot. Previously, architectural plans called for a second-story addition and an overhang above part of the parking lot.

With final say over the project's appearance, Libertyville officials repeatedly criticized that approach. Library officials opted to change the design after a recent meeting with Mayor Jeffrey Harger and other village leaders, library board President Aaron Lawlor said.

"This was not something that was going to be approved," Lawlor said. "That was made clear to us."

Developed last year, the $14 million plan calls for an addition to the main library on Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville and the construction of a new 20,000-square-foot building on Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills.

About $7 million will be spent at each site. A tax-rate increase won't be needed to fund the effort.

After the initial designs for the Cook Park site received a cool reception from the village board in April, library Director Dan Armstrong threatened to propose a new plan that would eliminate the Libertyville expansion and focus most of the project's money and energy on the Vernon Hills site.

Armstrong backed down the next day, however, and never brought such a proposal to the library board.

The library board voted 6-1 last week to change the designs for the Libertyville building. Trustee Chris Dalton was the lone dissenter.

The library board will hold a special meeting Aug. 5 to review new architectural designs and other aspects of the expansion plan.

For more information, read Tuesday's Daily Herald or revisit www.dailyherald.com.