Winnetka Branch Library On Track To Reopen

WINNETKA, IL — Renovations at the Winnetka library are on target to be complete by next Monday. The Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District has closed its Winnetka branch to the public since last month for the removal of asbestos from ceilings in the building's main level as part of a $2.1 million project.

Construction will continue after the reopening and is expected to be complete in June. The building will be getting new lighting, new acoustic panels and its bathrooms will become updated to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

There will also be new group study and meeting rooms, as well as new technology like self-check kiosks in the lobby and youth rooms, which are aimed at minimizing noise in the lobby and giving those with children in tow the added "added convenience of completing their matters in one centralized location," according to the library.

After the renovations are complete, the library board plans to evaluation the sound mitigation work of the open floorplan design. If necessary, an extra wall could be added, according to the board. Baseline decibel readings around the site have already been recorded, and the auditory impact will be reviewed in Fall 2018.

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What's being renovated, via the Winnetka Branch Library:

• Removal of asbestos ceilings on the main level; including the lobby, Lloyd and main reading room
• New ceilings, which will provide better sound absorption; and new acoustic panels in the reading room to aide in sound absorption
• New fire alarm
• Addition of three new small group study/meeting rooms
• Refresh of the quiet room to make it a more comfortable quiet reading and workspace
• New LED lighting
• Renovation of existing bathrooms to make them ADA accessible
• New circulation desk
• New carpeting throughout the lobby, Lloyd room, reading room, quiet room & mezzanine
• Addition of RFID technology, providing self-check kiosk options in the lobby and Youth Services areas and an automated return system