Cook Memorial library building projects on track

The recent snow and cold weather hasn't affected the construction schedule for the Cook Memorial Public Library District's two building projects, officials said.

Work slowed temporarily when temperatures turned bitterly cold this month, but crews tried to complete other tasks until the weather improved, library Director Dan Armstrong said.

The unusually mild weather in November let workers progress faster on some aspects of the projects than initially expected, Armstrong said.

"I'm really pleased with the projects," he said. "They're really going very well."

A new 20,000-square-foot library is being built on Aspen Drive south of Route 60 in Vernon Hills. Simultaneously, the historic Cook Park library in downtown Libertyville is being expanded and remodeled.

Much of the Cook Park site was draped in a white tarpaulin last week and was artificially heated to help the ground thaw, which will allow workers to pour the addition's concrete slab this week.

"The ground can't be frozen when they pour the slab," Armstrong said.

Each project will cost $7 million, officials have said. Both efforts remain on budget.

The Aspen Drive facility should be completed by May 15, 2010. Once furniture, materials and equipment are added, it should open to the public the following month, Armstrong said.

The Cook Park library project should wrap up by Aug. 31, 2010. It should open about a month later.

The schedule might seem unbelievable to longtime library patrons who saw the community and elected officials squabble for years over multiple expansion plans that never got off the ground.

"It is exciting and thrilling to think that we've come through all of our prior trials and difficulties and are on schedule ... to open two beautiful facilities that will serve the needs of our community," Quirke said.

Grand-opening celebrations will follow the actual unveilings of both buildings, Armstrong said.

Temporary library centers in Libertyville and Vernon Hills will close after the new facilities open.

For updates on the construction projects, visit cooklib.org.