New chapter for Addison library

While the main attraction at any library is the books, hundreds of patrons discovered so much more to love Monday inside the new Addison Public Library building.

Staff and patrons launched its first day of operation with a ceremonial human chain, passing one final book from the library's old site across the street to its new location at 4 Friendship Plaza.

With its glassy facade, the $15 million building proved airy and bright - and maybe less than quiet - as hundreds of residents explored its 54,000 square feet of new computers, study rooms, meeting spots, game areas and special features.

As a former Addison resident of 36 years and the first president of the Friends of the Addison Public Library, Marian Kroon traveled from her Roselle home to check out the new digs. She said couldn't get over the size of the building and its many windowed walls.

"It is A-W-E-S-O-M-E, awesome," Kroon said. "Library services have changed so much over the last 40 years, and they have all these computers and nice meeting rooms. My gosh, they have a fireplace."

In addition to the fireplace that will, indeed, warm the quiet reading room on the second floor, the library boasts several personal touches that library staff and officials hope will attract residents.They include:

• A larger children's story room and separate craft room.

• A new teen section, which includes booth seating and expanded reading materials. The library last fall hired a new librarian, Dianne Ludwig, for the department.

• A computer classroom in adult services.

• Study rooms which patrons can book on a same-day basis.

• A resource room for parents and teachers.

• Later this year, a cafe will be created in the lobby and a hanging art piece called "Grand Opening" by Gregory Gove will be installed above the children's area.

Seven-year-old Kristopher Kusnierz of Addison says one attraction stands out from the rest: the third-floor green roof, covered entirely by plants. The environmentally-friendly roof was built with a $20,150 grant from the county to help with stormwater management, to reduce the building's cooling load, and to extend the life of the roof below the plants.

Four-year-old Andrea Parent of Addison was taken with the fish tank in the lobby, while her father Jason said he was impressed by the building's architecture.

"I'm not sure who designed it or spent the time developing it, but it's a neat space," Jason Parent said.

In addition to village officials and architects, Addison residents shared input into the building's design, said library spokeswoman Sally Schuster. They did not, however, get to vote on whether to build the library or not, since it was built without raising property taxes.

Instead, in early 2006, village officials agreed to sell $13 million in redevelopment bonds that were up for renewal to fund the library. The bonds are funded with a quarter-percent sales tax that was implemented more than 20 years ago, said Addison Library Board President Robert Kepke.

"It is taxpayer money but it's not a new tax and it's not raising property taxes," Kepke said. "I am thankful the village had the presence of mind to realize that the library is a valuable asset to the community."

The remaining money for the building came from the library's special reserve fund, which contributed about $2 million. And to make up some of the difference, the Friends of the Addison Public Library also raised more than $8,000 for the new building. Rose Coyle, the secretary and treasurer for the nonprofit Friends, said she is impressed by residents' donations toward the new site.

"I think it reflects the quality of the people of Addison that they'll support something like this," Coyle said.