Why Is Downtown Joliet's Library Surrounded By Scaffolding?

JOLIET, IL - If you've walked past the Joliet Public Library in recent days, you can't help but notice the place looks like a construction zone. The main front entrance is covered with scaffolding. The sidewalk along North Ottawa Street is roped off with yellow construction zone tape. Turns out, Joliet's main public library is in the midst of a $1 million building improvement project.

"We are putting on a new roof," Megan Millen, executive director for the Joliet Public Library, told Joliet Patch on Tuesday afternoon. "Everything should be done by the end of October" weather permitting.

The Joliet Public Library opened its downtown building on North Ottawa Street back in 1901. The building was expanded in 1991, the last time a roof was installed, Millen said. She was hired as Joliet Public Library's executive director last September, coming to from the suburban Flossmoor Public Library.

For the time being, downtown patrons need to enter the Joliet Public Library off Chicago Street.

Millen said there have been instances where the current roof has leaked and a number of shingles have slid off. "It's definitely in need of being replaced," she added.

As far as the new roof's costs, part of the reason for the $1 million price tag, Millen said, stems from the amount of scaffolding that workers needed to erect around the perimeter. The second key reason for the higher costs is because of the steepness of the roof.

A new roof, though expensive, was critical before the Joliet Public Library embarks on any other noteworthy capital improvements, either downtown or at the Black Road branch, she said.

"We need to make sure we have a solid roof," Millen said.

Images via John Ferak, Joliet Patch Editor