Hanover Park library branch gets more space

Though it hasn’t been decided exactly what additional materials, equipment or programming will be implemented at one of Hanover Park’s branch libraries, at least there will be room.

The Streamwood-based Poplar Creek Public Library District recently asked Hanover Park officials give up a dedicated meeting room at the Sonya Crawshaw Branch Library on Audrey Lane. The room has been set aside for the village since 1990, when Hanover Park donated five acres for the building’s construction in exchange for a place to hold meetings and other gatherings.

“We felt it was imperative to make sure the administration of Hanover Park was in agreement that for the good of the citizens, we could change this,” Poplar Creek Executive Director Pat Hogan said. “They agreed.”

Though just a meeting room, it’s a great deal of space the modest facility off Schick Road, which totals less than 3,000 square feet.

“For 20 years everything has been crowded into one half of the library because of all the tables and chairs (in the meeting room),” Hogan said. “Whenever you have a smaller space, you’d like to do as much with it as you can.”

The village board last week unanimously approved amending the 1990 intergovernmental agreement without discussion.

Hanover Park Mayor Rod Craig has held community gatherings in the meeting room, such as when the public was invited to provide input on a new comprehensive plan for the village. Homeowners associations and Boy and Girl Scouts have met there, too.

However, the room has never actually been used for official village business, and officials agreed there are enough alternate meeting spaces.

Hogan said she will work with the branch’s manager to assess needs and determine how to best utilize the space. A couple of ideas are to create an enhanced children’s area and add technology offerings.

Hogan also said she’ll work with the architects behind the $22 million expansion of the main library in Streamwood, which in 2009 doubled the facility to about 98,000 square feet.