Helena Thompson of Spring Grove leads granddaughter Quinn Cobeland, 1, through the new Lake Villa Library District library in Lindenhurst on Monday. The $18 million facility includes more seating, gathering spaces and study areas, along with three dedicated rooms for public meetings and community events.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
When the doors to the new Lake Villa District Library opened for the first time Monday, eager patrons already were waiting outside for the chance to check it out.
"Seeing all the happy faces" is the highlight, Library Director Andy Lentine said. "Kids are excited, adults are excited."
Nestled along Crooked Lake at 140 N. Munn Road in Lindenhurst, the views are spectacular for patrons who find corner to read a new book or old favorite near large windows that provide plenty of natural light. The planting of nearly 2,000 trees enhance the library's landscape, which includes a walking path and a terrace.
"This is the day we've been waiting for. We are excited to open the doors to the community," Lentine said.
Ground was broken for the $18 million facility in the fall of 2017. The new library features more seating, collaborative gathering spaces and quiet study areas than the previous facility at Grand Avenue and Deep Lake Road in Lake Villa, which closed in July. The 66,000-square-foot, three-story building also includes three dedicated rooms for public meetings and community events.
Youth services are consolidated on the lower level with computer areas, hands-on activities, places for parents to watch their kids, gaming and large program rooms, and an area dedicated for young adults.
The library district serves about 40,000 residents in Lake Villa and Lindenhurst and parts of Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Beach and Antioch.
Groundbreaking for new Lake Villa library held
Lake Villa District Library readies for its big move
The Lake Villa District Library opened the doors to its new facility Monday. "This is the day we've been waiting for," Library Director Andy Lentine said. "We are excited to open the doors to the community."
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Patrons were eager to check out the new Lake Villa Library District facility Monday when it opened at 140 N. Munn Road in Lindenhurst. The $18 million facility includes more seating, gathering spaces and study areas, along with three dedicated rooms for public meetings and community events.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Lake Villa Library District patrons check out the new automatic system that sorts books, DVDs and other library materials as the district's's new, $18 million facility opened Monday in Lindenhurst.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Jill and Anna Hevrdejs of Lake Villa find a cozy corner with views of Crooked Lake on Monday at the newly opened Lake Villa Library District library in Lindenhurst.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Cheryl Synowicz and Beth Koruna systematize library materials Monday before they are automatically sorted into bins, making it faster to get them back on the shelves. It's one of the modern features at the new Lake Villa Library District library, which opened its doors to the public Monday.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
The Lake Villa District Library opened the doors to its new facility Monday. "This is the day we've been waiting for," Library Director Andy Lentine said. "We are excited to open the doors to the community."
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com