Renovations begin Thursday at Hanover Park library

If everything goes as planned, Hanover Park residents will have a bigger, updated library branch by November.

A groundbreaking will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday for an addition and renovations at the Poplar Creek Public Library District’s Sonya Crawshaw Branch, located at 4300 Audrey Lane.

The 3,000-square-foot branch, which opened in 2001, is in need of updates and additions, said Poplar Creek spokeswoman Donna Markarian.

“It’s getting older and it gets more use,” she said. “It was called a pod back in the day and we wanted to make it something much better.”

When finished, the branch will include a designated adult services area and designated children’s section, along with a new staff room and better accessibility for disabled patrons.

The $1.1-million project will be paid in part by a $50,000 Live and Learn Grant from the Illinois State Library.

The branch primarily serves Hanover Park residents, along with patrons from Bartlett, Carol Stream and Streamwood. It has been closed since the end of April, Markarian said. Patrons are encouraged to visit the district’s main library at 1405 S. Park Ave. in Streamwood.

“We will be trying to provide for (the patrons) as best we can,” Markarian said, adding that the library will have numerous summer programs for kids. “We’re hoping to entice them to come over here.”