Renovation Project: 2007–2008

The ReferendumThe Referendum

On March 21, 2006, Hinsdale Residents overwhelmingly approved a rate increase

to renovate the library building and to fund capital repairs and replacement.

Before the Renovation Project…

Before the renovation, shades of Before the renovation, shades of blue, teal and maroon dominated.blue, teal and maroon dominated.

Hard surfaces and an open central staircase Hard surfaces and an open central staircase created a noisy environment.created a noisy environment.

The lower level The lower level featured large planters featured large planters with tropical foliage. with tropical foliage.

The pre-renovation Youth Services DepartmentThe pre-renovation Youth Services Department

The Large Meeting Room before the renovation The Large Meeting Room before the renovation

Phase I

Moving all of the Moving all of the books from the east to books from the east to the west side of the the west side of the second floor was the second floor was the first order of business.first order of business.

The Reference Desk showed a lot of wear The Reference Desk showed a lot of wear by the end of its service.by the end of its service.

A demolition crew A demolition crew came in and came in and dismantled it one dismantled it one snowy morning. snowy morning.

Meanwhile, demolition prepared the way for new Meanwhile, demolition prepared the way for new administrative offices on the west side administrative offices on the west side

of the second floor.of the second floor.

The new administrative offices framed The new administrative offices framed and covered with plywoodand covered with plywood

Inside the administrative Inside the administrative offices, drywall workers offices, drywall workers prepared the walls prepared the walls for painting.for painting.

As work begins on the As work begins on the staircase, cement is staircase, cement is transported into the transported into the library… one library… one wheelbarrow at a time. wheelbarrow at a time.

Then it was sent down a Then it was sent down a trough to the lower trough to the lower level, where it was used level, where it was used to create new sections to create new sections of foundation.of foundation.

A crane lifts steel beams onto the roof of the library.A crane lifts steel beams onto the roof of the library.

The beams will support The beams will support new floor space new floor space created by filling in created by filling in portions of the open portions of the open central staircase.central staircase.

Old metal in the central staircase is cut away Old metal in the central staircase is cut away by steelworkers to make way for the new beams.by steelworkers to make way for the new beams.

The beams are winched The beams are winched into position until they can into position until they can be permanently attached.be permanently attached.

The corrugated metal floor pan resting on top of the The corrugated metal floor pan resting on top of the steel beams will be filled with concrete steel beams will be filled with concrete

to create new floor space.to create new floor space.

Phase II

Renovation of Renovation of restrooms on the restrooms on the lower levellower level

Colorful new tile adds Colorful new tile adds visual interest to the visual interest to the remodeled restrooms.remodeled restrooms.

New carpeting in the New carpeting in the youth services area youth services area on the first flooron the first floor

One of the exciting new features of the One of the exciting new features of the renovation project is the Reading Cabin.renovation project is the Reading Cabin.

Designed in a rustic style, it offers a safe and inviting Designed in a rustic style, it offers a safe and inviting place for young kids to play and read.place for young kids to play and read.

A new book display A new book display area is adjacent to the area is adjacent to the Reading Cabin.Reading Cabin.

There’s a new Storytime There’s a new Storytime Room too!Room too!

A new aquarium at the base of the stairs on the A new aquarium at the base of the stairs on the first floor entertains kids and adults alike.first floor entertains kids and adults alike.

Meanwhile, on the first Meanwhile, on the first floor…floor…

The space formerly The space formerly housing adult fiction housing adult fiction books highlights books highlights new arrivals and new arrivals and audiovisual materials. audiovisual materials.

More energy efficient lighting is installed More energy efficient lighting is installed throughout the building.throughout the building.

The new quiet room, at the west end of the library’s The new quiet room, at the west end of the library’s main level, faces Washington Street.main level, faces Washington Street.

Phase II also brought a major change Phase II also brought a major change to the exterior of the library: to the exterior of the library: a dedicated exterior entrance.a dedicated exterior entrance.

Inside the new Inside the new entrance doors, entrance doors, updated lighting updated lighting and tile combine to and tile combine to create a create a sophisticated first sophisticated first impression.impression.

Phase III

Phase III began with a celebration Phase III began with a celebration of the new entrance.of the new entrance.

Executive Director Lynn Elam Executive Director Lynn Elam greeted the first patrons greeted the first patrons

to enter the doors.to enter the doors.