Expanded Poplar Creek library opens today
An expanded 98,000-square-foot library will reopen today in Streamwood, offering more computers, larger meeting rooms and additional study spaces.
The $22.7 million expansion nearly doubles the size of the 30-year-old Poplar Creek Library at 1405 S. Park Ave., which had been closed for construction since April 2008.
Patrons got a peek at the updated facility at a pre-opening celebration in May, but it will open for use for the first time at 9 a.m. today.
The addition is decidedly modern in many senses: A sleek interior of curving panels gives "the feeling of movement," said Administrative Librarian Pat Hogan. The main corridor's floors are made of recycled tires. And outside, a green roof of sedum plants is intended to collect and release rainwater and help insulate the building.
Then there's the wireless Internet access throughout the three-story library and more than 70 computers for patrons' use.
"People wanted us to respect the original building because it was unique. We're glad we could use it to some extent, as well as come into the 21st century," Hogan said. "They like new technology but also respect the old things."
Indeed, the updated library is a mix of old and new: Its government documents depository is expanded, but many more records come in electronic form today anyway. CDs and DVDs have already replaced albums and VHS tapes at the library.
"As things change, the library has to change to serve its patrons," said library board President Susan Spooner.
There are close to 300,000 pieces in the library's collection, and Hogan said the staff is now doing some "weeding" out. But there's still an emphasis on books, with expanded young adult and children's areas, and a summer youth reading program set to start when the library opens today.
With new meeting spaces, there will also be more room for the library's three book clubs, scout troops, homeowners associations and other community groups.
A portion of the old building containing meeting rooms was demolished, and new rooms, including one with a 300-person capacity, were added.
Discussions on updating the library began back in 1992, Hogan said, and a formal plan was presented in 2006. Voters in the library district, primarily made up of Streamwood and Hanover Park with bits of neighboring towns, approved a referendum in 2007 to increase the library tax rate one-tenth of 1 percent to pay for 20-year bonds funding the expansion.
Spooner said officials would eventually like to update the district's other library, the Sonya Crawshaw Branch at 4300 Audrey Lane in Hanover Park.
During construction of the main library, attendance increased at the branch and at a temporary storefront location on Bartlett Road, where 70 percent of the library's collection was available.
Hogan believes the facility's basic purpose hasn't changed since residents Marlene Deuel and Lu Duddy started what became the first Poplar Creek Library in 1966 out of book collections in their garages.
"It's never lost that sense of wonder and wanting to provide various services to the community," Hogan said. "I think we've retained and enhanced that."