Spring groundbreaking planned for new Roselle library

The Roselle Public Library will usher in a new chapter this year.

A spring groundbreaking is planned for a new library campus with outdoor amenities and a drive-through service window allowing patrons to pick up or drop off books while on the go.

Roselle village trustees recently approved a zoning change paving the way for the library district to begin construction of the two-story building on nearly three acres bounded by Maple Avenue to the north, Howard Avenue to the west, Pine Avenue to the south and a neighborhood park to the east.

The village purchased the land in 2023, then voters approved a tax hike the next year to fund the new library’s construction. That also set in motion plans for the library and the village to swap their respective properties.

In exchange for the new parcel, the library district is giving the village the land the current library sits on, which is next to village hall.

The library will continue operating out of its Park Street facility during construction of its new home.

Designs for the new library include a vending cafe on the first floor, a large meeting room and a maker space — “a really nice asset to the community,” said Dan Pohrte, owner of Product Architecture + Design.

The first floor also will feature a youth section with cheery colors and book shelving at kid height. The existing youth department is on the second floor, so families with strollers have to rely on an elevator.

“So we're very excited to be able to offer lots of places for little kids to learn and come to the library and not really realize that they're reading and gaining knowledge as they're playing with their friends,” Pohrte said during a project presentation before the village’s planning and zoning commission.

The second floor will include a teen lounge, adult services and study rooms. Renderings also show a sleek, double-faced fireplace in front of an adult reading or study area and skylights over the adult services desk.

“And then on the second floor, we're including a green roof. So when you look out the window and down onto the roof area, it actually is vegetated,” Pohrte said.

A youth patio area and various gardens have been designed for the east side of the building adjacent to the park. Plans also call for a plaza with outdoor seating near the main entrance.

“The idea is to have outdoor programming in the summer for both youth and adult,” Pohrte said.

The drive-through window will be on the west side of the building.