Cook Memorial Public Library shelves plans for mural

Cost concerns and other issues have prompted Cook Memorial Public Library District officials to end plans for an original mural at the Libertyville facility.

The project was proposed by Maya Lowry, a former district resident whose mother works at the library. Lowry had wanted to team with another artist, Mark Melnick, and create a colorful mural for the children's department at the library, which is being renovated and expanded.

Although there was interest at first, library officials haven't been keen on the plan lately, citing its roughly $6,000 cost, offers from other artists and a library policy preventing permanent artistic installations.

Following a development committee discussion of the matter this week that included a face-to-face meeting with Lowry, officials said the project is on hold indefinitely.

"Maya's design is lovely," said library board member Mary Ann Phillips, who also serves on the development committee. "But at this point, a permanent installation is against our policies regarding gifts to the library, and the cost of the mural causes us some hesitation due to budget constraints."

Officials are trying to keep costs down on the $7 million construction project, which is set to be completed in November. It's slightly behind schedule because of the recent workers strike and other delays.

The project is half of a $14 million construction package that also saw a new library built on Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills. That facility opened last month.

Lowry had offered to assist library officials in raising money for the project, but board members have been leery of that approach.

"At this point, the mural is not paid for," Phillips said.

Library board President Bonnie Quirke said she'd still like to see original art of some kind in the library. It would give people another reason to visit, she said, and give the public a greater sense of ownership of the facility.

But the process must be fair to all interested artists, she said.