Glencoe Public Library:
Rooted in History, Building for Tomorrow.
“The only thing you absolutely need to know is the location of the library.” – Albert Einstein
The Rooted in History, Building for Tomorrow campaign envisions an airy, bright, adaptable and above all, welcoming community cornerstone.
The plan preserves the library’s historic charm while enhancing comfort, accessibility, security, and sustainability for years to come.
This revitalization will meet the evolving needs of patrons of all ages and abilities, transforming the library into a vibrant space that serves the community today and inspires the next generation.
The proposed design features intuitive, community-focused spaces where people can gather for innovative programming; collaborate or work independently; learn, reflect, dream and play.
Case for Revitalization
The Glencoe Public Library is the heart of Glencoe: a sanctuary and a source of community pride for generations of families. Patrons feel a sense of welcome and belonging. A gathering space, a center for enriching speakers and activities, a place where ideas intersect, where minds young and older find inspiration, and a haven for socializing and solace.
Built in 1941 and perfect for its time, the library has not kept pace with how people live, learn, and connect today. While features like the Park Avenue facade and Johnson Room are iconic, cherished, and will remain as is, others are cramped, inaccessible and unfriendly to patrons with mobility challenges. Temperatures are uneven. Spatial flow is non-intuitive. Staff members lack necessary work and storage areas. And with a shortage of meeting and program space, the library must turn away community groups, and forgo programming opportunities.
Over the years, library leaders have been responsible stewards. The library has never sought funding through a referendum and has kept up with the building’s capital needs through its annual operating budget and ad hoc bonds. But costs to maintain and improve the building have been a constant challenge and pose a growing strain. Systems in the 84-year-old building are outdated, disjointed and deteriorating.
Delaying improvements is no longer an option; now is the moment to create a library that meets today’s needs and beyond.
Vision for Renovation
Versatile Spaces
State-of-the-Art Glencoe Program and Community Room
Today, the library is often forced to repurpose key spaces, rely on outside community venues, or even turn away patrons due to fire code capacity limits or availability. The new program and community room will be open, filled with natural light, and spacious enough to comfortably accommodate all who want to attend. With the flexibility to easily partition the room into smaller spaces, the library will finally be able to expand on the innovative and engaging programs this community not only wants, but deserves.
Expanded, Welcoming Children’s Space
With its current footprint, the children’s space struggles to accommodate programs, play and peaceful moments for reading. The children’s addition will expand the space by nearly 40%, providing children a space to spread out and enjoy the library. In this digital age, there is simply no substitute for engaging with physical materials, exploring kid-friendly displays and picking out books in a safe, screen-free space.
Reimagined Collections Areas
Currently a significant portion of collections are crowded into non-ADA-accessible stacks on the west side of the library. The plan will transform how the community experiences these collections with better browsing, comfort and accessibility. At the heart of this reconfiguration is the spacious new 1000-square-foot collection addition, a stunning, open, light-filled space with large windows, and cozy seating.
Breathing Life into the Lower Level
The lower level will be transformed from a dark and disjointed labyrinth into a fully accessible, open floor concept with curated collections, flexible seating for studying, inviting sightlines and three new meeting rooms, all within the library’s existing footprint. A new elevator and an open staircase design with a bright skylight will connect the level with the rest of the library.
Small Group Meeting Rooms
Currently, the library has just one meeting room, and it is in high demand during peak hours from patrons of all ages, as well as staff who lack a dedicated space to collaborate. With moveable walls and configurable layouts, the three new lower-level meeting rooms will offer reservable spaces that adapt to the needs of individuals or community groups.
Behind-the-Scenes Space for Staff
The beloved library staff team are currently working in tight spaces scattered throughout the building. With dedicated offices and meeting rooms, the new staff suite will make smart use of a low-ceilinged area not ideal for public use but perfectly suited to support staff operations.
Improving Accessibility
A New Way In
A new public entrance at the south side of the building next to the proposed community space addition will enable more convenient access to Village Court parking and connect the library with the underutilized Wyman Green.
Central Elevator
Tucked away, the current elevator is difficult to find, in need of frequent repair and access is encumbered by non-ADA compliant narrow passages. A new roomier, central elevator will provide easier access to the entire library, including the reimagined lower level.
Better Browsability
Some of the library’s current aisles are too narrow for wheelchairs and tall stacks place books too high or near the floor, leaving collections underused. A new ADA-compliant configuration and patron-friendly displays will assure everyone can easily browse collections.
Easier Navigation
With a single, welcoming point of contact upon entry and an intuitive layout anchored by a central staircase and elevator, patrons will navigate the space with ease.
Smart, Sustainable, and Safe Systems
Up-to-Date Systems
Several key systems at the Glencoe Public Library are past their prime and need replacing to keep the library running for generations to come.
- Electrical. The original cloth-covered wiring installed in 1941 is not only outdated, but a hazard in any modern building. The plan calls for a complete rewiring of the building.
- Drainage. The library has experienced frequent flooding over the years due to a compromised foundation and insufficient drainage system. The building’s original clay drain tile and aging water pipes, well past their lifespan, will finally be replaced.
- HVAC. A series of ad hoc repairs over the years has resulted in an HVAC system comprising 20 separate units. A new efficient, carbon-neutral system will keep patrons and staff comfortable all year long.
Sustainability
The revitalization plan incorporates low-carbon, eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems requiring zero operational carbon. Sustainable thermal comfort will be achieved through new windows, greater insulation and exterior shading.
Security
The master plan calls for a central circulation desk and open sightlines across the ground and lower levels, supplemented by added camera surveillance.
Technology
The library’s new spaces will accommodate modern-day conveniences such as built-in AV systems, self-checkout stations, plentiful charging stations and power outlets, and access to borrowable technology and creative tools such as 3D printers.
Library and Capital Campaign Leadership
Capital Campaign Advisory Council
Co-Chairs
Linda Lin
Michael Pope
Council Members
Jessica Aspen
Ann Bates
Alisa Bergstein
Megan Cummins
Carla and Jay Edelston
Lori Muller
Jill Takiff Hirsh
John Tuohy
Marilyn Vender
Rachel Zimmerman
(In formation)
Skidmore Owings and Merrill – Master Space Planning Architects
Just Cause Consulting – Campaign Consultants
Glencoe Public Library
Board of Trustees
Roger Parfitt, President
Jim Fiffer
Bob Kimble
George Krafcisin
Linda Lin
Michael Pope
Nan Weiss-Ham
Glencoe Public Library Foundation Board of Directors
Barbara Breakstone
Kathy Doyle
Teresa Grosch
Linda Lin
Beth Schencker
Glencoe Public Library
Executive Director
Andrew Kim
Support
Why support the Glencoe Public Library’s Capital Campaign?
Within the walls of the Glencoe Public Library, generations of patrons have explored new worlds and possibilities. This community cornerstone deserves a building that warmly welcomes all who enter.
Make your gift today!
The library aims to raise $17.3 million through a combination of private and public funding and government grants.
The Glencoe Public Library Foundation, a new 501(c)(3), is now ready to receive donations towards the Library’s capital campaign.
Your support will raise critical funds for the campaign and is a powerful way for those who cherish the library to invest in the future. Private donations ahead of next spring’s 2026 referendum, also show the strength of our community’s commitment. Donors will receive recognition, and for those interested, naming opportunities for the reimagined new spaces are available.
Contact Andy Kim, the Library’s Executive Director, for more information.