From 1903 into the future

The Joliet Public Library wants to build a library for the future in a 1903 building.

It’s important to have both, library communications director Mallory Hewlett said.

“The feedback we get from people is, ‘I like how my library looks historically. I want it to be modern. But I don’t want to lose all the history,’ ” Hewlett said.

Modernizing the library inside the Daniel Burnham-designed building downtown probably won’t be as big of an issue as getting the funding to get the job done.

The library project is estimated to cost $10.5 million.

The library has $4 million set aside for the project, but has asked the city to contribute $6.5 million next year.

The library is a city library, not a separate taxing district. It does have its own property tax levy, but the levy is approved by the City Council. The library budget is part of the city budget. The library has its own board, but it is mayor-appointed with approval from the City Council.

“There’s a misconception that we are asking for a handout. We’re not,” library Director Megan Millen said. “We’re a city library.”

City officials already have indicated $6.5 million could be a tough ask but have not given a signal one way or the other since a presentation was made to the City Council Finance Committee on July 16.

“I think it’s something we’re going to have to talk about at budget time,” Finance Committee Chairman Michael Turk said Wednesday. “I think it’s appropriate – the plans they have to upgrade. It’s been some time since that’s been done there.”

The last major upgrade was in 1991, when the library tripled in size. At that time, 49,000 square feet were added to what now is a 70,000-square-foot building. The building expansion was done with an eye toward keeping the architectural integrity of the historical structure intact.

The remodeling as well can be done without losing the historic sense of the building, architect Joseph Huberty told the Finance Committee in July.

“For the most part, you have a building that is ready to be adapted to modern library trends,” Huberty said. “We’re really acknowledging the potential that exists in the site.”

Library representatives promote the project as complementing the city’s own plans for downtown, which include a new plaza across the street and an improved Chicago Street to bring in more traffic.

Huberty described the library as having “untapped potential” and “even more so in the future with the renaissance that is going on.” One obvious way the library would tap into the downtown plans is opening the now-closed Chicago Street entrance, which was built with the 1991 addition but is kept closed except for special events.

Millen told the Finance Committee that the goal is to make the library “an attractive downtown destination.”

To do that, Millen said, some changes have to be made from a library still trying to evolve from the 1991 upgrade.

“Modern libraries today have attractions such as museum-quality play equipment for children, attractions for families, maker spaces and more digital media space,” Millen said Wednesday.

People are asking for meeting spaces and study rooms, which the library hopes to deliver with the remodeling, along with exhibition space, a new local history room and major changes on all three floors.

The plans will be presented to the full City Council at its Aug. 19 meeting. Turk said a decision likely will be made when the city develops its budget in the fall.