Cook Memorial gets permit, will open Saturday

Shuttered for more than a year because of a $7 million expansion and renovation project, Libertyville's Cook Memorial Public Library officially will reopen Saturday, Jan. 8.

That date had been scheduled a few weeks ago, but as recently as last week, library leaders weren't sure if they'd have the required village occupancy permit in time. Some final safety-related improvements were needed, and village and library leaders were feuding over the parking lot layout.

On Wednesday afternoon, however, following the completion of those safety projects and an inspection, library staffers picked up a temporary permit that will allow patrons in the building, in Cook Park at 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., for the first time since June 2009.

Library Director Stephen Kershner was elated to have the document in hand.

“It's actually here. We have it,” he said. “And now we can move forward with opening to the public, who have been very patient.”

The public opening is set for 1 p.m. Saturday. The library will be open until 5 p.m. that day.

Regular library hours will resume Sunday, officials said.

The final changes to the site were fairly simple, such as the addition of an extra fire sprinkler and the installation of a telephone in an elevator. Some of that work took longer than expected, however, because parts or equipment had to be ordered, Kershner said.

As for the unresolved dispute over the parking lot, which concerns how library traffic would affect summertime street events in the downtown area, Mayor Terry Weppler had promised it wouldn't delay opening day.

“They are all set to go,” Weppler said Wednesday.

Village Administrator Kevin Bowens said dealing with library leaders and their architects has been a pleasure — aside from the parking-lot spat.

“We're very pleased that the project has been completed, and we're very pleased with the results,” Bowens said.

The library will get a permanent occupancy permit in the spring, after some exterior site improvements are made, such as planting some trees, Kershner said. None of those needed improvements affect patron safety, he said.

The building project coincided with the construction of a new, $7 million library in Vernon Hills, the other large community served by the district.

The Vernon Hills library opened this past summer.

Local politicians and other dignitaries have been invited to get an early tour of the Libertyville library during a private event Friday night.