Algonquin library board considering 6 renovation options

In the eyes of Executive Director Stephen Bero and his staff, the improvements proposed in an $8 million master plan for the Algonquin Area Public Library District are all-encompassing.

By expanding and renovating its facilities, the library district would provide more meeting rooms, a “makerspace” for do-it-yourself projects, a teen area, a new board room with an after-hours entrance, a computer lab, an enlarged children's area and the list goes on.

The project, however, was placed on hold earlier this year, when library officials indicated they'd like to consider all possible redevelopment options. Now, the library board is mulling over six proposed renovation plans, each with a different price tag.

“The board has a big decision to make. They wanted some time to think about it and think about what, if any, other options there were,” Bero said. “We took a break to reassess (and) make sure we were answering the board's questions, and I think we have.”

At $1 million, the cheapest option only addresses necessary capital improvements, such as repairing the roof and replacing the HVAC system at the main library, 2600 Harnish Drive.

At the other end of the spectrum, the master plan includes building three concentric additions that would add about 8,000 square feet to the 35,000-square-foot main library. This would allow the library district to meet its service goals with a minimum loss of collection materials, Bero said.

“In our opinion, it addresses all of our needs, and it really is, I think, the most user-friendly for the patrons,” he said.

In another option, one large wing would be built on the library's north side, offering the same upgrades as the master plan and costing about $500,000 less.

But this proposal would also give the library an L-shaped layout, which is not ideal, Bero said, and the board room would not have an after-hours public entrance.

“As far as trade-offs go, that could be on we could live with,” he said.

Ranging from $4.4 million to just under $7 million, the other plans include some but not all of the proposed improvements.

All but the cheapest proposal also include a $50,000 renovation at the branch library.

Though officials don't plan to ask residents for a tax increase to fund the improvements, Bero said, some proposals may require the library district to take out a loan.

Even with the most expensive plan, he said, the library district would take out a $3.4 million loan and use annual revenue and reserves to pay off debt services over 10 years without negatively affecting its daily operations.

Hoping to break ground by September 2017, Bero said he will recommend the board choose a proposal by this August.