MPLD Happenings

Parking Lot Expansion Update

2011-09-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

Construction continues on our parking lot project. At this time, the north entrance is open but may be closed for a time the week of October 3. We hope to have the lot paved and striped soon. The project should be completed around mid-October. We appreciate the public being patient and flexible as we work to add more parking spaces.

2011-09-20T11:19:00.001-05:00

Parking Lot Expansion Update

Our parking lot expansion project has begun. Phase 1 will continue through Friday, September 23, at which time paving and lane marking should be done on the existing lot. Then Phase 2 begins, which will involve constructing the additional lot to the north.

Work will continue until the new lot is completed around October/early November. We appreciate the public being patient and flexible as we work to add more parking spaces.

Parking lot project approved by Board

2011-08-22T10:43:00.002-05:00

The MPLD Board of Trustees has approved the parking lot expansion project. Construction tentatively will begin around Sept. 15, concluding around late October/early November.

There will be some disruption of service - possible closed days as well as daily vehicles moves, areas of the parking lot cordoned off/not available for both patrons and staff, possibly an entrance (North) not being available. This will result in restricted parking at times. But in the end, the favorable result will produce more parking and less congestion. We'll try to do a good job of forecasting, signage, maps, etc. as the construction project progresses.

Parking Lot Expansion Project to Begin Soon

2011-07-21T14:16:00.005-05:00

We're happy to announce that we're about to begin the process of expanding our parking lot. Bids for construction will be going out in August. We'll be adding 41 more spaces to our empty lot just to the north (as you can see by the heavily outlined area in the diagram at right). The board has budgeted no more than $400,000 for this project, which will be paid for out of the money we saved by coming in under budget on last year's renovation. The new parking area will have lighting as well, and a pedestrian walkway to the main entrance.

Peterson Farm Day June 26

2011-06-21T14:28:00.001-05:00

Come see the library at the farm! Peterson Farm Day, that is. Sunday, June 26 from 10 to 4. Find us by the animals and get a free gift!

Bloodmobile at Library June 8

2011-05-26T10:16:00.004-05:00

Donate blood and the Heartland Blood Center will give you a gift card for a free quart of Oberweis ice cream! Heartland's mobile bloodmobile will be in the McHenry Public Library's parking lot on Wednesday, June 8 from 12 to 4 p.m. Appointments aren't necessary, but can be made at the library's Checkout Desk. The library is located on Route 31 just north of Lillian St. For more info, visit www.heartlandbc.org or www.mchenrylibrary.org or call 800-786-4483 or 815-385-0036.

Summer Reading Club 2011

2011-04-12T11:17:00.003-05:00

Join us this summer as we travel the globe to read! Summer Reading Club is just around the corner. We’ll have different summer reading programs for kids, teens and adults. Our big kickoff is Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Drop by the library that day for games, prizes, refreshments, entertainment, and to pick up your book bag/book log and register for summer programs. Kids and teens will get prizes as they read more books, and adults get a free paperback when they register and an entry into the Grand Prize drawing.

Kids' theme: One World, Many Stories

Teen's theme: You are Here!

Adult's theme: Novel Destinations

For more info, visit www.mchenrylibrary.org or stop by at 809 N. Front St. (Rt. 31).

Welcome to MPLD's blog!

2011-03-02T14:36:00.002-06:00

We've changed the focus of our blog from our recently completed building renovation to general information.

Latest Library News:

Check out an eReader (we have four Nooks available) or download books to your own device from home -- instructions on our website!
New online catalog -- BiblioCommons replaces iBistro. Easier to use, interact with other users, create lists and manage your library account!
Register for Spring programs. Use the "Events" link on our website.

New carpeting and other items

2010-12-21T20:25:00.003-06:00

Greetings McHenry Library Patrons, Now that our renovation is finished, it's time for a bit of clean-up on various projects. During the first week in Jan. 2011, we will be relaying carpeting in the main library, service desk area because the rubberized/cork surface did not stick well. Hopefully this carpeting will remedy the situation. We have also changed the outdoor drive-up materials drop - basically lowering it, restripping the return lane, adding signage for drivers/pedestrians and wrapping the drop for weather/damage. In Feb./Mar., we'll be adding interior blinds/window coverings. Also in Feb., we'll be changing our PC reservation and printing/wireless printing software to an updated version, easier for staff and patrons to use.

In Mar. 2011, patrons will be able to use a social network catalog - much like Amazon.com - called BiblioCommons to access our card catalog. Wish lists, writing reviews and commentary, doing RSS feeds and linking to your Facebook page will all be part of this software. Additionally, we'll be launching e-readers with pre-loaded books for children and adults. Patrons will be able to check them out and/or use them in-house.

We hope you like what we've done with the place and what we have planned in the near future. We'd love to hear from you by e-mail and or written suggestions. Thanks. Jim Scholtz.

Renovation Update

2010-10-25T14:35:00.003-05:00

Greetings all. The renovation of the McHenry Public Library is now complete. The project came in about $164,000 under budget and almost $1.1 million under the $3 million dollar board- imposed ceiling.

Due to some excellent prior planning, changes in architects and a competitive construction bid environment, we were able to save money and also do some extra projects at the same time. Fixing the parking lot and storm sewers were prime examples of 'extra' but needed projects. The drive-up, drop-off materials return was extended and lowered so customers should find it usable now. A light was relocated above the drop to make it more friendly at night.

We still have some interior flooring issues and need to add window coverings and bulletin boards but, all-in-all, the project went fairly smoothly and is 100% complete. Please note that we accomplished the project with no increase in property taxes! All of the funds came from our reserve building fund - savings over many years, plus taking advantage of the "Build America Recovery Zone" bonds, through McHenry County. We will pay those bonds back - $600,000 over the course of the next 5 years and we get a 45% return of the paid interest annually.

We hope that you like our new facility - it is one that has been a long time in coming and one that McHenry customers deserve. You'll be able to take advantage of the following amenities: improved lighting, rearranged book stacks, self-serve holds with self-serve/auto check-out; separate checkout and returns desks; more space for art displays; an improved, more comfortable entry foyer with seating to wait for rides; more express Internet computers and more workstations accessible to patrons, improved furniture for reading, studying and using electronic devices like laptops, etc.; separate Young Adult and Children's areas; 3 new small-group study rooms; 2 new meeting rooms, 1 new conference room/computer classroom, a new genealogy room; new public restrooms and brand new, updated furniture along with a combined service desk. Additionally, we also have a new full-color outdoor electronic sign that is used for advertising library programming.

What you won't see from the customer side is our new staff offices and work area, including a new circulation workroom. Also, the west end of the building has been changed to a grassy area. It is hoped that in the near future, that area will become a 'reading park' complete with trees/shrubs, benches and a brick walkway that we can also use for some outside storytimes and programs.

In a couple of months, you'll also see some changes to our website - a brand new look and easier navigation/more features -- as well as to our online catalog. Our online catalog will look much more like Amazon.com and you'll be able to post/compare reviews of materials as well as make lists of items you want to place on hold.

Please come in and check out all of the neat things that are happening at your McHenry Public Library. Happy reading ... Jim Scholtz, Executive Director.

Library officials working on solution to new book return

2010-08-24T11:07:00.001-05:00

Notice to our patrons: we are aware of the problems with the new drive-up book return and are working with our contractor to come up with a solution. Please be patient as we make this new feature work efficiently. We appreciate your comments and hope you're pleased with the rest of the renovation.

New Drive-Up, Drop Off Book Return Opens Friday, Aug. 20

2010-08-18T13:02:00.002-05:00

While the finishing touches are done to the front vestibule and lobby of the library, we're happy to announce that the new drive-up drop box will be open starting Friday, August 20. The drive-up, drop-off area is on the south side of the library, accessible from Meadow Lane. The temporary drop boxes in the gravel parking lot will be removed that same day.

We hope to relocate the check-in and check-out areas the week of Aug. 23 so we can re-open the front entrance. Keep checking this blog and our website for the latest updates.

Mark your calendars -- celebrate our Grand Re-Opening and 75th Anniversary the week of October 2-8. Our September/October newsletter has all the details! Hope to see you then.

Heavy Equipment Workers Reach Tentative Agreement

2010-07-20T13:02:00.002-05:00

The Heavy Equipment Workers union has reached a tentative agreement to end the nearly 3-week-long strike. What this means for the library is that work can resume on the remainder of our renovation. We hope to get workers back on the job by Friday, July 23, and have the renovation of the front lobby, vestibule and parking lot done by mid- to late-August. Thanks for your patience with all of this!

Heavy Equipment Worker's Strike Postpones Remodel

2010-07-06T08:51:00.003-05:00

Hi, Jim Scholtz, Executive Director of the Library here. Just an update to the construction blog:

Currently, our project is on hold until a strike by the heavy equipment operators union is lifted. No other union workers will cross the picket line and they are picketing our site. We are still open to the public but construction work has halted!! The strike is not our fault or under our control and, by state statute, we are required to pay union wages. We will talk about options if the strike goes on for any length of time - Lamp, Inc., our construction management firm has done a great job on the project.

We have been in our new main area since opening to the public on June 14th and things are going fairly smoothly regarding both patrons and staff. Staff likes the new workspace and the service area and are getting settled in both of those areas. Patrons seem to like the new spaces as well - the new public workstations; the new seating and tables with places to plug in laptops and other electronic devices; the new study rooms (2 open for tutoring and other groups of 2-4 people); new restrooms with the Dyson hand dryers; the self-check units; the new YPS/Children's area furniture; the new lighting and ceiling make it much easier to see and the rubber/cork flooring helps reduce sound in the big room. We've also reoriented some of the stacks to provide much needed line-of-sight for staff. Staff also likes the combined YPS/Adult Service Desk that is positioned in the middle of the large room. The meeting room is currently being used as the Main entry (North side) and the circulation area.

The new Conference Room and Meeting Rooms, along with the 3rd Study Room will be available around August 1st or 15th. The front entrance, parking lot, vestibule and circulation area will hopefully be available by August 15th along with the new drive-up/materials drop-off window (South Side, accessible from Meadow Ln.). In the months to come, we'll be adding 8 new catalog computers mounted on the interior pillars, some new children's furniture, signage and video projectors in the meeting rooms/conference room. The project is still under budget and we hope to bring it in at under $2,500,000 - not bad for a project designated at $3 million!! We are trying to use the taxpayers' money wisely and with great care regarding product life.

Just a couple of items related to the construction project. Later, you'll see a full-color, double sided outdoor video sign that will be able to show graphics and display many of our library programs. You'll also see a redesign of our library website (www.mchenrylibrary.org) and we'll have new meeting room scheduling software. So, please come in and see what our library has to offer in the newly remodeled facility.

Library is Open!

2010-06-23T11:56:00.001-05:00

The library opened June 14 to the public. Phase 1 of construction is done; Phase 2 should be done by end of July or early August.

Library Expects to Re-open Monday, June 14

2010-06-11T12:21:00.000-05:00

Paving has begun today, and if all goes well, the library expects to re-open on Monday, June 14. Visit our homepage - www.mchenrylibrary.org, for the latest info.

Renovation update 5-20-10

2010-04-21T15:01:00.003-05:00

We now expect to reopen to the public during the second week of June. Not sure of the exact date; keep checking this blog. Constructions delays forced us to move the June 7 date back a bit.

The new finished space in the back of the library is complete and crews will begin working on the main room soon as well as the parking lot and vestibule.

If you have library items to return, the return bin is on the vacant lot just to our north - follow the signs.

Here are some pictures of the front vestibule being torn down on April 20 - before and after.

Follow-up to emergency closing on March 25

2010-03-29T10:18:00.002-05:00

We needed to close the library to the public on Thursday, March 25 to test our fire sprinkler system at three times the normal pressure rate. We knew the city was going to test the sprinklers, but we didn't know at what pressure rate. Since the building is nearing 40 years old, we decided to err on the side of caution and close in case we had some sprinklers leak or burst. Staff spent hours covering everything with plastic. We didn't have much time to plan the closure unless we wanted to prolong the construction calendar. Some of our patrons were understandably confused and angered that we closed as we did, while others were understanding. We're sorry for any inconvenience. Luckily we passed the test successfully with no leaks or broken sprinkler heads. These are the kinds of surprises you don't plan for when doing a major renovation project!

Renovation Update

2010-03-08T14:29:00.002-06:00

Things are moving along on schedule with our renovation. In the back warehouse expansion, drywalling is done and painting has begun. (see pics above)

As a reminder, the library will be closed to the public from Monday, April 19 through Saturday, June 5. We expect to reopen Sunday, June 6. The public entrance/check-in/check-out area will be temporarily relocated to the northwest side of the building until the entire renovation is complete later this summer. This is so workers can renovate the front of the library.

Please make sure you return all checked out items before April 19 and pay all fines so your account is in "good standing." This will allow you to register your card at other libraries in the area and use their services. You can now pay your fines through our website using e-Pay.

Progress on Construction

2010-02-03T10:53:00.003-06:00

We're into the 5th week of renovation, and things are progressing great! Expansion into the warehouse is moving along well and includes masonry, metal stud framing, HVAC, and fire protections. Major electrical work by ComEd is scheduled for Friday, February 19 when the library will be closed for the day. Keep checking our website (www.mchenrylibrary.org) for the latest updates.

Building renovation update 1/4/2010

2010-01-04T14:36:00.002-06:00

Every two weeks, representatives from Gillespie Design Group (our architects), Lamp Incorporated (our construction management firm), and the library meet for what’s called a project meeting. Contractors who will be working on the expansion/renovation attend also. Requirements, procedures, safety, and scheduling are discussed.

The most recent project meeting was Tuesday December 22, 2009 at 9:30. The schedule for early January 2010 was discussed. All dates are subject to change. Here are notes from that meeting:

· Demolition and preliminary plumbing work will start January 4. Part of this work will involve saw cutting the concrete floor, which will start at 6 a.m. when it does occur and end before 9 a.m.
· Masonry work will start January 8.
· Concrete floor leveling is to start January 12. The amount of time needed for concrete to set will affect work in the warehouse.
· Steel work and delivery of metal door frames are scheduled for January 14
· Fire protection and HVAC systems work is starting approximately January 14th.
· Metal stud framing is to start January 18 now.
· Electrical work will depend on cooperation by ComEd.

If any work related to the expansion needs to be done in the occupied area of the library, such as electrical or plumbing, we are to have two weeks warning and if it affects anyone in the library, we will let staff know. We will also keep the public abreast of any closures or changes in service.

Staff parking is being moved from the northwest corner of the property to along the south side of the building starting January 4, 2010.

Public Meeting Set for Oct. 29th

2009-10-23T12:19:00.003-05:00

A public meeting will be held at the McHenry Public Library, 809 N. Front St. in the meeting room from 7:00 pm - 8:30pm. The purpose of the meeting will be to detail the specifics of our renovation/expansion project. For more details, go to our website.

Again, the main purposes of our renovation project are as follows:

1) to solve patron/staff safety/security and ergonomic issues such as improving patron traffic flow, enlarging the staff work area and creating lines-of-sight and an improved service and circulation desk, plus improving interior lighting and designing an inviting/usable patron entrance;

2) to provide some amenities that were discussed in the new building plan such as study rooms, additional public restrooms, a conference room/computer lab, a larger meeting room with outside access, a new genealogy room, and a separate teen area.

Representatives from the library board, our construction firm - Lamp, Inc. and our architectural firm Gillespie Design Group will be presenting the plan, design and construction timetable as well as showing various fixtures and furnishings. Total cost for the remodel project will be approximately $2.5 million or less. This project will not raise taxes at all as it is being funded by money that the library district had been saving for the past five years plus some grant/gift funds and Recovery Zone money.

Please plan to attend this exciting and information-filled meeting.

New Architectural Firm Heads Up Project

2009-09-10T10:23:00.005-05:00

The McHenry Public Library Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the hiring of a local architectural firm, Gillespie Design Group (Ringwood, IL) to design the new floor plan of the library. The construction management firm, Lamp, Inc. of Elgin, will solicit contractor bids in early November and hopefully construction will start in late November and run through a 6-8 month window. The project will cost approximately $1.8 - 2.5 million. The library has about $1.9 million in a building fund along with procuring $600,000 in Recovery Zone bonds (repaid in 5 years). So, the project will not cost the taxpayer ANY additional money. We will not be adding onto the library but will be expanding into about 5,800 sq. ft of warehouse space. The remodel project will accomplish several things:

1) it will address some safety, security and ergonomic issues for both patrons/staff (improved lighting for reading; a larger, more secure staff workroom; more electrical outlets; ceiling over the storytime room, smaller tables and individual carrel/chairs to accommodate more patrons)
2) it will provide some amenities and patron spaces that were discussed for our new building (i.e. study/tutor rooms; conference room; larger divided meeting room; separate teen spaces; space for more computers with individual laptop areas; a separate genealogy room; a drive-up drop off with interior access for staff; self-checkout units along with improved circulation desk that permits better patron flow)
3) We also want to redesign the entrance to showcase the library - provide a welcoming atmosphere, have a community bulletin board and possible displays plus eliminate the book drops at the front of the building (cars must now go against traffic to drop off) and replace the ornamental sidewalk with concrete (many accidents have happened with the ornamental brick). 4) We have a substantial water problem with the parking lot and storm water drainage system and we'll be fixing that as well. Plus, we'll be adding some landscaping features that will help the water run-off problem and make the area more attractive.

Our new vision of service is "Yesterday's Wisdom, Today's Knowledge, Tomorrow's Dreams." We hope the remodel project will make you proud of your local library and lend itself to more use. Just in the past year, our circulation has gone from 500,000 to more than 700,000 with foot traffic increasing by almost 50 percent!

The intent of this project is to give us another 5-7 years in this building, at which time the board may ask the public to vote on a new building referendum. But, the board members are taxpayers just like you and are concerned about raising taxes in the same manner. They are constantly tracking the local/national economic situation and are as concerned about spending money as you are. We will continue to investigate ways to improve the existing library and keep costs to a minimum as well as providing YOU will exceptional library service. Please watch for notification of upcoming public meetings on the remodel project. Also know that you are welcome to come to any board meeting. They are held at the library on the 3rd Tues. of every month at 7 p.m. You can also call me with any questions - 815-385-0036. Jim Scholtz, Library Director.

Building remodel in the works

2009-06-17T16:29:00.005-05:00

Greetings. Since the defeat of the November referendum for a new library, the McHenry Public Library District has been planning the next step. With the economy still reeling, the board voted at the May 2009 meeting to start planning a remodel of the existing building, up to a $3 million limit with no increases in taxes for area residents. The remodel components would enhance and upgrade current safety, security and staff/patron movement needs plus provide some ergonomic changes for comfort. Additionally, the remodel would provide a few amenities discussed last fall in the proposal for a new building.

Our current architectural firm, Nagel, Hartray, Danker, Kagan, McKay, Penney is designing the floor plan and the construction firm of Lamp, Inc. will supervise/schedule the work. Estimated project time is 8-9 months in several phases.

Work planned involves the following (dependent upon prices): parking lot resurface, storm drain renovation, expanding library by 12,000 sq. ft. within existing footprint, adding 1-2 meeting rooms accessible from outside entry, remodel/re-design of Friends book sale area and Circulation area, moving of genealogy area, adult and children's service desks, new soft/hard furniture and more seating, especially in the teen area, converting outdoor message sign to LED, adding larger staff work areas with a couple of new offices for managers. Hopefully, we'll also be enlarging/reconfiguring our entry foyer for safer/easier access and drop-off of materials.

The remodel is only a stop-gap to last 5-7 years until we can mount another capital campaign for a new library, but we are making the best, most efficient use of taxpayer money in this way.

Just for your information - by May 2009, for the fiscal year FY 2008/09, we had more than 512,000 circulations - a record so far!! So the library is really used and valued in our community.

A special board meeting will be held at the library on Wed., June 24 at 7 p.m. where the board will discuss remodel plans. The library currently has more than $1,300,000 in its special reserve fund (called capital fund) to put toward the remodel project. We hope to add about $600,000 to that figure over the next six months with the rest financed. Financing may be through conventional cash loans or with Economic Stimulus money from county Recovery Zone bonds, whichever is most economical for repayment. If you have any questions about these plans, feel free to contact Executive Director Jim Scholtz at 815-385-0036. Thanks.

League of Women Voters Endorses Project

2008-10-14T14:19:00.002-05:00

It's official - after a public forum meeting held at the library on Wed., Oct. 8th, the League of Women Voters for McHenry County publically endorsed the library referendum project in the NW Herald newspaper! That's very exciting.

On Sat., Oct. 11th there was a great front-page article on the value of libraries during our currenet economic crisis to provide both information AND recreation. Then again on Tues., Oct. 14th, there was an informational article on the MPLD referendum - so we are getting some press. The Citizen's Committee has been doing an excellent job of getting out and speaking to the public as has Executive Director, Jim Scholtz. Jim has also been fielding telephone calls. Today (Oct. 14th), Jim spoke to the NW Herald editorial board who will make known their views on the referendum issue in upcoming issues. Please remember, Jim is more than happy to take your calls and discuss the referendum but you may have to leave a message - he will get back to you.

Some new conceptual views of the proposed library are available on the large lobby LCD screen - including an animated 360 degree flyby! Please come see it. Referendum information - Fact Sheets, extra copies of The Preface (special edition) and pictures/description of the proposed building are available on the website and at the Info Desk at the library.

It's also important that people look and interact to this blog because this is a great way to share ideas and start a multi-way communication.

Dates of Note: Oct. 26 (Sun) 2-4 pm and Oct. 30 (Thurs.) 7-9pm - open forum where the architects AND construction management firms will talk AND facility tours will be available. See and discuss first-hand why there is a both a NEED and a WANT for a new library.

Referendum updates and News

2008-09-18T14:23:00.004-05:00

Ballot Wording Certified/Sample Ballot Available -

It's official - the ballot wording for the simple question of building a new library facility for $32 million has been certified by the McHenry County Clerk and a sample ballot is available for inspection at the McHenry Public Library - adult reference desk. We will also have a sample ballot available on-line on the building website. Please remember that the question is on the back side (verso) of the ballot!!

Building -

The architects have come up with a new design for the building that successfully blends traditional elements with more modern elements but still reflects the "atmosphere" of McHenry as well as retaining all of the 'green - environmental friendly'- elements. The green elements will be more costly for the build-out but, ultimately, be a long-term, cost-saving element over time regarding ongoing utility costs. Please see the new design on the building webpage (http://www.mchenrylibrary.org/).

Citizen's Committee -

The Citizen's Committee met on Wed., Sept. 17 and had a very productive meeting. Speaking engagements have been set up at a number of places.

Library board members will be posted at the information desk on Oct. 12 (Sunday), 12-4 pm. and on Oct. 15 (Wed) 6-9 pm. Billed as "Trustee in the Lobby" events, they will be geared toward showcasing the new library, the ballot question and answering questions regarding the project/referendum. J. Scholtz/B. Edminster will also be available and we'll try to coordinate tours so that people can see the shape of the building and WHY we need a new one.

The committee will also be printing various informational Fact Sheets that will be handed out to audiences in our District as members go out to speak to groups. These Fact Sheets are also available in the library at the Circulation and Adult Services Desks and can be downloaded/printed from the building website. Please contact the Citizens for a New Library group at mchenrylibrary@yahoo.com if you'd like to arrange a speaking engagement or find out when they're meeting. A PowerPoint presentation has also been developed that is also available on our building website.

The committee will also be printing voting buttons and newspaper inserts, so be on the lookout for those items.

Speaking Engagements and Events at a Glance -

McHenry Middle School Learning Center - Oct. 6, 7 pm
Riverwood PTO - Oct. 6, 7 pm
Oct. 7 - last day for voters to register for Nov. 4th election
League of Women Voters - voter registration at library - Oct. 7, 5-9 p.m.
Hilltop PTO - Oct. 7, 7 pm
Dist. 156 board meeting - Oct. 7, 7:30 pm
Oct. 14 - early voting starts
League of Women Voters - public forum on referendum issue - Oct. 8 7 pm
Public meeting and facility tour - Oct. 26 (Sun) 2 pm
Lions Club - Oct. 27, 7 pm. Mulligan's
Public meeting and facility tour - Oct. 30 (Thurs) 7 pm

Last Words -
Remember that this is your blog for information AND comments - mostly comments and questions!! We'd love to hear your views. Most people aren't against a new library but they may be against building a new library at this time due to the poor economic times. While we may not be able to change your mind, please plan to attend at least one of these meetings to become informed about the issue and see the condition of the building. If you've never been in the library, come in and see what you've been missing and WHAT YOU COULD BE MISSING. Also if you have a story about how the library has made a positive change in your life, we'd love to hear it and use it in our campaign because "libraries really do change lives" and the McHenry Public Library District wants to be part of your life!

Upcoming meetings

2008-09-15T12:41:00.002-05:00

The next library board meeting will be on Tues., Sept. 16th, 7pm (library meeting room) where some new building designs will be discussed. Hopefully an artist's redition of the new library will provide inspiration to the board as they see definition in construction elements.

There will be a Library Citizen's committee meeting on Wed., Sept. 17th, 7pm at the McHenry Public Library District meeting room. Agenda items so far include the following:

Committee heads update
Tips for public speaking - Kathy Lambert
Brainstorming - how do we get the message out
vote Yes signs
ad with list of citizens voting Yes
Calendar for public speaking engagments

The Friends of the Library will be holding their annual meeting on Thurs., Sept. 18th, at 7pm in the booksale area. The referendum will be amoung several items discussed. Please plan to attend.

The League of Women Voters of McHenry County will have an educational forum specifically discussing the new building referendum on Wed., Oct. 8th, 7-9pm, in the McHenry Public Library District meeting room.

Also, on Tues., Oct. 7th, all day - the League of Women Voters will be registering people to vote in the Nov. 4th election. Please note that people can register to vote at the library at any time. Sample ballots for the election should be available the first week in October because early voting starts Oct. 14th.

On that day, Oct. 7th in the evening, the library will host a 'Tech Fair' - basically showcasing all of our electronic media - full-text databases, downloadable e-books and audio books, burning them to a CD or saving them to your iPod or flash drive, reference question messaging (Meebo) and other items. At the same time, we'll be running some informational presentations on our LCD screen in the front foyer about the library and library building referendum. So stop by, learn about our electronic reference sources (available from home as well), pickup a free mouse pad (first 125 people), register for some cool prizes and see whay we need a new building.

In October, various library trustees will be providing facility tours so you can we just why we need a new library. Watch this blog and our library website/library bulletin board for tour dates/times.

Responses to blog questions

2008-08-25T11:36:00.006-05:00

Wow, thanks for the great response and fantastic questions!! I'll try to answer them.

1) Could we build the library for less? Yes, possibly and we'll try to keep costs down. Just because we ask for $32 million doesn't mean we have to take out bonds for that entirety AND the saving will be reflected on your tax bill. If we can build it for less we will - we do not want to build a monument - we want to build something useful but that will last. We haven't determined the final design yet - somehwere between design 1 and 2 - I know that people like both of them for different reasons. We will try to keep costs down as low as possible but we also want to use green, sustainable products and that will be more expensive than traditional construction but it will help us keep ongoing costs (utilities, etc.) down over time. We are also looking at making the building a bit smaller (from 75,000 sq. ft. to 67,000 sq. ft.) which will help reduce costs. In these difficult economic times, bidders are looking for work and construction bids may come in more favorable even though materials costs are increasingly higher. We want to build a library that will last a long time and be a structure that will be both useful and something of which the community can be proud. The library is a busy place now, but we want it to be even busier offering more meeting rooms, a bigger and brighter children's area with designated youth (Jr. high and high school) areas and more area for displays/events.

2) Do we need a drive-up window? We are putting in amenities that have proved worth in other libraries and also have been asked for in the McHenry community. Right now the downtown Chicago Public library has one, Algonquin, Gail Borden (Eligin) and Fremont have drive-up windows - I'm sure other libraries in the area have them as well. The drive-up window doesn't really add a lot of cost to construction but the inside of the library hasn't really been defined yet. At the same time, we're all busy and sometimes don't have time to come into the library - wouldn't it be nice to call ahead and have your holds waiting for you (think about how often you use a drive-up bank teller)? We'll be asking the public just what you'd like to see in a new building - services and amenities - at future public meetings. Personally, I'm totally open to trying some new things and deleting options that our public won't use. I welcome all suggestions.

3) Have we applied for grants and funding? We haven't applied for any grants/funding because we're not in the building stages yet - but we will. Most grants and funding require submittal of building plans and specific construction details - we haven't gotten that far yet. Green construction grants are difficult to come by in the Chicago area but we will apply for some Sierra Club grant money, Illinois State Library construction funds, LEED certification funding and others as well as orchestrate a local funding campaign (buy a brick, a tree, etc.) with possible corporate donations. We've estimated about $280,000 in grant money for the project.

I hope this answers some of your questions. I look forward to conversing with you on the blog and in person as you ask questions regarding the referendum and the new library. Jim Scholtz.

First post - library director

2008-08-20T22:25:00.005-05:00

Welcome to the “Build a Library – Build Your Community” blog. Thanks for dropping in – we hope that you blog-response us and maybe even bookmark this site all the way up to Nov. 5, 2008!!

As the MPLD Executive Director, I’d like to point out some items of interest. In comments related to the NW Herald article of Aug. 20th – the library district is not part of the city of McHenry. It is its own taxing district.

The Old Building –

The building we currently occupy at 809 N. Front St. was the old Althoff, then Follett warehouse, built in 1971. Basically it is a converted warehouse and we occupy about 24,000 sq. ft. The building isn’t up to current electrical/plumbing/construction (especially insulation) or ADA codes and, if we were to renovate and add an addition, construction estimates would be in the neighborhood of $38 million. The building is a single story with 25 ft. ceilings, halogen inside lights and virtually no insulation. Interior electrical outlets and supply lines are a nightmare for running computers. Heating/cooling the building is very expensive and the flat, asphalt roof gives us nothing but trouble. The single meeting room is small and overcrowded with virtually no storage space and the library is nowhere near ADA compliant. Anytime substantial renovation or additions occur in a public building the ENTIRE building must be brought up to current code. True, the library only occupies one-third of the existing space but the rest of the space is not finished and would be too expensive to bring up to current building codes. Concrete floors are cracked, concrete block walls are below grade and water seeps in and the building has many other maladies that are too expensive to correct. Even if we spent the money to do it, we’d basically have an updated 1971 building with 25ft. ceilings – very inefficient energy-wise, and it can't support a second story. In 2006, a professional engineering company advised us that renovation would cost much more than demolition and new construction so that is why we are taking the tact of asking for a new building.

The Cost of the New Building vs. Value -

What’s a community library worth to you? If you live in the McHenry Public Library District (MPLD) and own property or rent, you can get a library card for free! Okay – through property ownership, you pay property tax, a portion of which supports the library. On a $225,000 home, that amounts to about $150. The average MPLD user checks out about $750 worth of materials a year, so you get a lot for your money. If you don’t use the library, then you might consider trying it because that’s $150 going to waste. The average American spends about $4,125 on entertainment per year. If the library could help you save money by NOT having to buy some books, videos/DVDs, audio books, etc. - wouldn’t that be worth it? So to the non-user, I say “Check us out and see what we can do for you – we’re not your mother’s library anymore!!” We have free Internet access, wireless access, downloadable audio books, online reference for homework and research, downloadable e-books, and video games as well all of the regular fare you’d find at a traditional library like books, DVDs, audiotapes and CDs. Our friendly staff can even get items from other libraries for you via interlibrary loan. Remember that the MPLD is not just a building – many of its resources (like online reference, downloadable books, audio books and music) are just a click away on your computer at http://www.mchenrylibrary.org/. Just have your library card number ready and you can access the WORLD!

So the cost of a new building in today’s economy is $32 million for a 67,000 sq. ft., environmentally-friendly building. Now, I’m a district resident as well and I pay property taxes. I don’t want my taxes to increase but I also look at the “bang for the buck” at any improvement. A community needs schools, roads, water and sewer and other basic services. Parks and libraries are called “value-added” or “quality of life” services and often, they make or break a company’s decision to come into a community. We as a library staff want to emphasize that you, the community (or at least the current library users) have, throughout the years, requested library amenities like more meeting rooms, a larger print collection, a larger children’s area, more space to sit and read with soft seating areas, more public accessible computers and the list goes on. We can’t provide these amenities or services in the current facility.

We want to serve you better by offering certain amenities such as the following:

1) more meeting room space that would be accessible after library hours for various events

2) a lobby with space for art/history exhibits
3) a drive-up window for materials pick-up and other transactions
4) a separate teen area designed by them!
5) a larger, more comfortable children’s area – with proper seating for various ages
6) a comfortable, living room atmosphere for adults to read – with plenty of soft seating
7) more public-accessible computer workstations
8) more plug-ins for people with laptops
9) study rooms for adults and children

So you can have all of the services above plus the bulleted amenities for only $107 more each year for 20 years. But, by using the library, you’ll get at least $750 in value each year per person and possibly save even more on your family’s entertainment bill. Not a bad investment in these difficult economic times.

We want the MPLD to become the “front porch of the community.” Traditionally, the front porch has been a neighborhood meeting place; a place where you get information – your mail, the daily paper delivered and friends dropping by for conversation. We want to be the first place you go for information or to get questions answered.

During the next two months, you’ll see other entries on this blog as well as other articles in the Northwest Herald about the project and referendum. Please ask us questions, add to the blog, and put the library to the test. But don’t make a rash decision – make an informed decision based on the facts. Community projects only happen through taxes and the community good as a whole. Sure these are difficult economic times, but the referendum will impact the next 20 years, which will be a mix of both good and bad times. In bad economic times, construction crews are looking for work and maybe we can get some extremely attractive bids that wouldn’t be available in good times. We will also seek construction saving wherever we can and a “green” building assures minimum environmental impact and lower operating costs. We feel that we can operate a larger facility within our existing operations/personnel budget. Furthermore, the facility will be something of which the community can be proud, serving as a cornerstone on Route 31.

Remember the new building will not only last your lifetime but the lifetime of your children and grandchildren. Hopefully, they will find the library a useful, friendly and inviting place. We’ll also be offering tours of the current facility in hopes of showing you the current problems. So bookmark this page and keep watching. Remember you can contact me at jscholtz@mchenrylibrary.org or telephone me at 815-385-0036. I’d love to hear from you.