Artist Renderings of Proposed New Library in Geneva

Voters will go to the polls in coming weeks to decide whether to approve a referendum that would allow the Geneva Library District to borrow $21.8 million in 20-year bonds to pay for a new library at 210 S. Sixth Street.

In recent weeks, the library district shared preliminary renderings of the new library on its website. The library district hired Studio GC to create the schematic design for the new facility. The intent of schematic design is to provide a written narrative outlining building priorities, a rough site plan, basic floor plans and potential 3D modeling of building concepts, according to library officials.

The schematic design is meant to provide just enough details to obtain an accurate cost estimate, according to the library district website.

Full design for a new facility would occur if voters vote yes to the following referendum on April 4:

Shall the bonds of the Geneva Public Library District, Kane County, Illinois, in the amount of $21,800,000 be issued for the purpose of erecting a building to be used as a library on District-owned property, improving said property, including parking, and furnishing necessary equipment for said library building?

If approved, property taxes for the owner of a $300,000 home within the Geneva Public Library district would increase by $98.70 per year.

Library officials have said they would be unable to expand, and provide the services many patrons have been asking for, at the library's current location at 127 James Street.

“Our community has asked us to provide additional services and resources that we can’t offer in our current facility," said Board President Robert Shiffler. "These include a computer/technology lab, spaces to create and learn new skills like robotics, book publishing, cooking, and crafts, imaginative play space, parent networking opportunities, meeting, study and function rooms – and on-site parking."

Here is a look at the proposed floor plan for the news library.

And here is a look at some of the artist renderings for the proposed library.

For a closer look at more artist renderings, visit the Geneva Public Library's new library website.

More Details on New Library

As part of its schematic design, Studio GC provided a written narrative outlining building priorities. Here is a look at some of the those proposed priorities:

• Meeting room or rooms: a large, divisible (up to 4) meeting room to hold 120 at tables, with support areas including: restrooms, coats, pre-function area, furniture and presentation equipment (including AV), storage, and kitchenette. Meeting room(s) and support areas (restrooms, coats, etc.) need to be accessible outside of normal Library hours and positioned to allow other building areas to be closed.
• Culinary arts/display kitchen/science demonstration space: flexible space that can be used for multiple purposes including food preparation and science demonstrations with counter and work surfaces, sink, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, tables and chairs for participants, storage for preparing and serving food.
• Conference room: table and chairs for 12 participants and area with seating for 8 additional attendees. Sink with coffee prep area. Storage for dedicated users.
• Study/collaboration areas (adult and teen): a range of areas and/or room sizes with furnishings, technology, and equipment to support the small business community, project work efforts of adults and teens, small conferences, club and school projects, tutoring, etc.
• Study/collaboration areas (youth): a range of areas and/or room sizes with furnishings, technology and equipment to support collaborative youth alone and with adults working on school and club projects, small conferences, tutoring, etc.
• Middle Ground (older children/tween/early teen): an area with furnishings, technology and equipment to support developmental needs of children transitioning from youth to young adult.
• Program room (youth): an area with furnishings for special programs with easily accessible support areas for bulk storage, cabinets and a sink. The room should be arranged so that it is accommodates both passive and active programming. Support areas need to be accessible while programs are occurring.
• Early childhood play: an engaging area with furnishings, technology, and equipment to develop early literacy skills and learning through play. For example: performance stage, puppet theater, kitchen and market make believe stations, magnetic and light boards, etc.
• Parent time: an area with furnishings, technology, and equipment designed for multigenerational use where parents and grandparents can connect with one another and their children.
• Outdoor space: play, programming, and contemplative space for community members of all ages to connect with one another and the community. Indoor and outdoor spaces should complement one another and be free flowing.
• Quiet reading: as activities and sound increase, an area with the opportunity for enclosure will be dedicated to users seeking a relaxed and quiet environment.
• Lobby: a dynamic space that conveys the spirit of the Library. The lobby will not only act as an orientation and distribution point to other areas of the library but will offer users a series of other options and encourage further exploration. The Lobby should accommodate the following: Concierge service approach with a small staff point to welcome, inform and orient users to the building and Library services, social area for community arrival and departure, café and refreshment area for Library or user supplied coffee and small snacks (vending), display-area for revolving and novel displays, self-service area for holds, check-out, copying and storage.

Renderings via Geneva Public Library/used with permission