Construction not slowing business at Cook Memorial Library
Patrons of the Libertyville area's Cook Memorial Public Library District must visit temporary facilities because of ongoing construction projects, but that isn't stopping them from using their library cards.
"This may actually be the second-busiest month in the history of the library district for overall circulation," Cook Memorial Director Dan Armstrong said Friday.
Since the Temporary Library Center at 114 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville opened June 22, patrons have checked out more than 116,000 items there.
Districtwide, customers borrowed more than 120,000 books, DVDs and other materials in July. That includes service at the temporary site in Libertyville, an older temporary library in Vernon Hills and the bookmobile.
The Libertyville branch accounted for more than 70 percent of that activity.
"Just out of that building, we're doing more (business) than many, many, many other libraries," Armstrong said.
The Temporary Library Center, affectionately called the TLC, was created to serve patrons while the historic library in downtown Libertyville's Cook Park undergoes a $7 million expansion and renovation project.
Although it's a relatively small 5,000 square feet, the Libertyville facility has been a hit with customers.
"I'm amazed that they have tables and have really set it up like a regular library," said Libertyville resident Trish Kaczor, who visited the TLC on Friday with her 2-year-old son, Henry.
Another patron, Ann Jordahl of Grayslake, wasn't surprised business is booming at the temporary site.
"Nobody's put off (library visits)," she said. "It's as if we were inspired to use it more."
Armstrong appreciates the goodwill.
"What we hear all the time is, 'It's a lot better than I thought it would be,'" he said. "We've managed to get a lot of stuff into it."
The TLC is not without its quirks, however. It's still without Wi-Fi service, something Armstrong is trying to remedy. Faster connections for the public computers also are in the works.
"Our patrons have shown a lot of patience with us," Armstrong said.
In addition to the Libertyville renovation, a new $7 million library is being built on Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills this year. That town's temporary library, which is in the village hall at 290 Evergreen Drive, will remain open until the new facility is ready in April 2010.
The concrete foundation is in place, and steel work could begin by mid-August, Armstrong said.
The renovated Cook Park library should reopen in fall 2010. Asbestos removal recently was finished there, which should allow construction crews to begin demolition work next week, Armstrong said.
For updates on the construction projects, visit cooklib.org.