Wood Dale library in for some changes

Late this fall, Wood Dale Public Library patrons will see more changes than just new book titles displayed on the shelves.

While workers will begin construction on a new circulation desk that is more accessible to disabled patrons, library staff also will move their administration offices to a nearby building at 140 School Street.

The library board of trustees approved a finance plan this summer to buy the $429,000 building on School, which was formerly a residential home. Officials said it will be paid for with the library's existing reserve funds.

Library Director Yvonne Bergendorf also said the creation of the new circulation desk will be paid for in part by a $25,000 grant the library earned through the American's with Disabilities Act.

"The current desk is very high and we've had to refer some patrons to the lower reference desk," she said.

On Tuesday, Bergendorf met with architects to discuss the planned changes. In addition to relocating the administration offices, she said other changes include:

•A new circulation desk that will centralize circulation, reference and card services, and make the desk more accessible to people in wheelchairs and children. It will be located where computers currently sit.

•A new circulation workroom.

•More display and programming space at the site of the old circulation desk.

•Moving computers that currently sit near the library entrance into a more private lab that now houses administration files and the reference office.

•Installing additional data cabling and electrical equipment for the computers to improve data access.

Bergendorf said the expanded computer lab area will create the possibility for computer classes and will bring computer users away from the noise near the library entrance.

"It gives us the ability to do creative class instruction," Bergendorf said.

This week officials applied for a special use permit with Wood Dale's zoning board. The request is expected to come before the Committee of the Whole during its Sept. 11 meeting.