We're Renovating the Youth Services Department! Here's What to Expect

If you’ve been in the Library lately, you may have noticed some changes happening in the Youth Services Department!

When the Library's main floor and mezzanine level were significantly renovated in 2014 and 2015, no work was done to the lower level. Since then, the Library has been saving funds and making plans to undertake a long-overdue remodel of the lower level of the Library and the Youth Services Department, with no additional cost to Morton Grove residents.

Updating A Well-Loved Space

This area of the library has been well-loved for a long time by countless Morton Grove kids and families. The planned renovation will make better use of the space we have, while also modernizing the furnishings so we can continue offering our high standards of service to the community.

While the coronavirus pandemic has caused us to make significant changes to our services to you, including allowing fewer people in the building, those limitations will actually make it easier to undertake this project with fewer disruptions in service.

We look forward to the day that we can welcome you back into the Library with fewer restrictions and a newly renovated space for the families of Morton Grove!

What to Expect

Here are some coming enhancements to the Youth Services department:

• Reconfiguration of the entire lower level, which will allow more space for patrons, seating, programs, and services
• New space for kids in grades 6-8
• New room for picture books
• New room for nursing mothers and those in need of a prayer or "calm down" space
• New multipurpose activity room for storytimes, craft programs, and much more
• New lighting, shelving, and furniture throughout the lower level

Timeline

The renovation is tentatively scheduled to begin February 2021 and finish by early summer. We have already begun some preliminary demolition of select areas of the ceiling and walls, so the department and collections may be periodically closed or unavailable during construction.

Check our Renovation page at mgpl.org/renovation and our social media for the most up-to-date information. Questions? You can contact me at pleffler@mgpl.org or 847-929-5130.

Pam Leffler is the Executive Director of the Morton Grove Public Library.