Libertyville library likely relocating during construction

Patrons of the main Cook Memorial Public Library in Libertyville likely will have to visit a temporary facility for their books and DVDs during an upcoming construction project.

Following a lengthy closed-door discussion, the library board this week unanimously directed the staff to pursue such a site. Approval of relocation will depend on the costs of the effort, officials said.

The library, at 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., is scheduled to be expanded and upgraded as part of a $14 million plan that also calls for the construction of a second library in Vernon Hills.

Work on the Libertyville site could begin this spring. Shutting down the library without offering some level of service would be irresponsible, officials have said.

Officials considered leaving the main library open during the work, but they said construction-related noise could be problematic. Patron safety also was a concern, board President Aaron Lawlor said.

For example, new public entrances would have to be built as the work crews moved from section to section, Lawlor said, and other safety-related improvements would be needed with each move.

Construction vehicles, equipment and material could take up much of the parking lot at the main facility, too, board member Ann Oakley said.

"That's a major issue," she said.

Relocating to temporary rental space for up to a year would allow officials to shut down the main facility and could speed up construction by four to six months and reduce building costs, Lawlor said.

Lawlor feels "very strongly" the temporary library should be in Libertyville. However, some nonpublic offices and warehouse space could be set up elsewhere, he said.

"There's no way we're going to fit 30,000 square feet of books in the retail spaces we're looking at," Lawlor said.

Money for the relocation would come from the district's main operating budget and not the construction fund or savings, Lawlor said.

Whatever is done in Libertyville won't affect the Vernon Hills project.

That library will be built this year on Aspen Drive south of Route 60. A temporary branch now operating in the basement of Vernon Hills' village hall will close when the new facility is built.