Consultants: Lombard library has work to do

Plans to remodel Lombard's Helen Plum Memorial Library has some community support, but raising the $3.35 million needed for the improvements still poses a challenge, consultants say.

The consultants from Naperville-based Pruehs and Associates recently presented their findings after interviewing about 40 key members of the community, including local business owners and members of the park and village boards.

Respondents agreed the library is a key component of the community, but the existing 34,300-square-foot building is "crowded, outdated, unorganized and needs improvement," according to the consultant's report.

"It's independent confirmation of what we suspected," said Wayne Kankovsky, president of the library board. "People want the library to be able to improve, but they were uncertain how much they could personally support it.

"People are uncertain about the economy," Kankovsky added. "I can understand that."

Respondents all ranked remodeling the library's first floor as a priority, especially creating separate teen, youth and adult areas.

Most supported the idea of remodeling the second floor to include a quiet reading area, computer training room, meeting rooms and an executive suite. Upgrading and increasing availability of computers were mentioned as being very important, the consultants reported.

Respondents were less interested in new paint and carpet. They were least interested in the creation of a new entrance, the consultants reported.

Roughly 95 percent of the interviewees responded that they would contribute to a capital campaign for the library, though most would give less than $5,000. Many said they would help solicit donations.

However, opinion was split on the potential success of a $3.35 million capital campaign for remodeling.

Roughly one-third of those surveyed said it would be impossible to raise the money privately. Another one-third said they believed the goal was "very challenging but possible." The rest of the people surveyed said the goal is attainable if several "lead gifts" are made at the start of the fundraising effort.

"This is, however, a great obstacle to the library conducting a capital campaign at this time: No major donors have come forward," the consultants reported.

Consultants said library officials have some questions to answer publicly before soliciting donations.

For example, the board must highlight its long-range vision for the library, including the potential for a future referendum or new building. A professional public relations campaign also must be prepared.

"We can certainly do a better job ... communicating," Kankovsky said.

The library board in a few weeks is expected to get estimated costs for a multiphase remodeling program from DesignGroup, an Ohio architectural firm, officials said.

The two-phase remodeling proposal, which would require the $3 million upfront, is available on the library's Web site at plum.lib.il.us.