Read on for the renovation overview, timeline, renderings, floor plans, and more. Questions? Contact Pam Leffler, Executive Director, at pleffler@mgpl.org or 847-929-5130.
Check out our Facebook photo album to see the renovation progress.
August 2021
- The Youth Services department is now open to the public! Stop by to check it out!
- Adding new signage
- Reshelving of youth items continues
July 2021
- Installing new shelving and furniture
- Returning boxes of Youth materials from storage for reshelving
- Completing punch list of final touches
June 2021
- New Youth Services Info desk installed
- New tiling and fixtures in the public bathrooms
- Activity Room walls up
- Watch a brief walk-through of the lower level
- New furniture delivered
- Carpeting installed
May 2021
- Painting walls and doors
- Installing ceiling hardware for hanging acoustical baffles
April 2021
- Framing and drywall begins
- Woodwork staining
March 2021
- Asbestos abatement continues
- Complete demolition and begin drywalling
- Installation of structural steel
- Rerouting duct and pipe work to create more ceiling space
- Shoring and masonry work
February 2021
- Asbestos abatement
- Setting up temporary Youth Services Info Desk and browsing collection of popular Youth materials in former Teen Space
- Boxing up remainder of Youth collection for temporary storage
- Beginning demolition and clearing out lower level
January 2021
- Contractor bid process
December 2020
- Moving Youth Services staff to temporary workspace
- Clearing out lower-level storage areas
- Preparing collection for moving
October-November 2020
- Preliminary demolition of select areas of the ceiling and walls
Overview
When the Library's main floor and mezzanine level were significantly renovated in 2014 and 2015, no work was done to the lower level. (In fact, besides replacing carpet, some small furniture purchases, and the addition of computers, the Youth Services Department has not been redesigned or updated since 1969!)
Since then, the Library had 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
The Youth Services area has been well-loved for a long time by countless Morton Grove kids and families. The renovation makes 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.
We're pleased to welcome you back into the Library with a newly renovated space for the families of Morton Grove!
Enhancements
- Reconfiguration of the entire lower level for more space, seating, 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
Details
| Previous Public Space | 4,945 sq. ft. |
| Current Public Space | 6,720 sq. ft. |
| Project Length | February-August 2021 |
| Total Budget | $1.5 million |
| Funding Sources | Library’s Special Reserve fund and regular budget lines for building improvements and maintenance |
| Architect | Product Architecture + Design |
| Construction Manager |
Shales McNutt Construction |
Floor Plans
See below for the old and new layouts. The grey areas indicate non-public areas for staff or maintenance.
Old layout
New layout
