2022 Renovation

The Mission of the South Holland Public Library is to serve and promote the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of all members of the South Holland community by providing access to a professional staff, a state-of-the-art facility and quality materials, programs and services. It is also our mission to manage library resources wisely and ethically in support of our diverse community. The South Holland Public Library is committed to supporting a lifelong enjoyment of reading and learning.

To meet our goal of providing a “state of the art facility” the Library will undergo a building renovation to it’s main and lower levels beginning August 1, 2022 with an anticipated finish in December 2022.

About the Project

The South Holland Public Library opened its doors to the public on February 27, 1961.  In 1971, construction began on the present location of the South Holland Public Library at 16250 Wausau Avenue, opening on April 24, 1972. In its 51 year history, the building has had many facelifts and updates to stay current with the needs of the Village of South Holland community.

South Holland Public Library serves the 21,465 residents of South Holland. We also serve residents of the south side of Chicago, Calumet City, Crete, Dolton, Grande Prairie, Glenwood, Harvey, Phoenix, Markham, Riverdale, Thornton, and Chicago Heights.

In May 2021, The South Holland Public Library Board of Trustees selected Product Architecture and Design as our architect to conduct a space needs assessment of the facility. The Library identified staff spaces and public areas as locations of concern without room for growth. The space analysis conducted found that space availability and utilization were no longer efficient for the Library’s needs.

To meet current ADA requirements, we will update our main level restrooms and create a family restroom inside the Youth Services department. We will replace our West entrance entry doors for better wheelchair accessibility. To meet patron requests for more private study spaces, we are creating 5 4-person private study rooms, an open-air multi-purpose collaboration space and a 10-person meeting room on the main level. The Youth Services department will be updated for the first time since 1991 and the Teen Room will be updated for the first time since 2015.

In November 2021, ReThink Owner Solutions was awarded a contract as our Construction Management Team.

The project in total is estimated to cost $1,529,548.

We ask for your continued patience during this transitional time.

FAQ

When will the Project begin?

We anticipate construction to start August 1, 2022.

Will the Library be closed during Construction?

The Library plans to remain fully open throughout the project. There will be no in-building programming until the project concludes. Any updates will be posted on our website and on all social media outlets in a timely fashion.

How will this project benefit the community?

Improvements to the West Entrance will ease access for all patrons and staff, ADA compliant restrooms will allow for better mobility for wheelchairs and strollers. Private Study rooms will enable better focus and privacy. An additional meeting room will allow for more in-building services and activities. A multipurpose collaboration space will enable us to do more hands-on skill building to adapt to 21st century learning styles. Updated Youth and Teen spaces will make families more comfortable and inviting to the overall lower level space.

How will you pay for this project?

The Library Board of Trustees for the South Holland Public Library has been fiscally responsible over the annual library budget for the last 5 years. Their support has funded majority of the project.

The Illinois State Library Live and Learn Grant was awarded to the South Holland Public Library in May 2022 for $125,000 to complete additional funding needs.

When will the Project be completed?

We anticipate construction to be completed by late Fall 2022.

If you have additional questions about this project, please contact Library Director Christyn Rayford at [email protected].

Project Updates

11/15/2022 - 11/21/2022 The West Entrance will be closed to install new automatic doors and complete flooring work. Please use the East Entrance. If you require ramp access, please contact the Circulation Desk at 708-527-3150. A staff member will escort you through the construction zone on the West End side.

11/04/2022 The Youth and Teen Services Department reopens to the public at 11 am.

10/4/2022 The main level restrooms will be unavailable for ADA-required renovations. Please use the facilities on the Lower Level to the Left of the Elevator. Thanks!

9/14/2022 The Library is experiencing outages with our phone lines. We are aware of the situation and working to restore them as soon as possible. 

9/6/2022 The Library will be closed on Thursday, September 8 for renovation work on the main level. We will reopen on Friday, September 9 at 10 am. 

8/31/2022 The Library will open at 12 pm due to an unexpected delay in renovation work. 

8/22/2022 The Board of Library Trustees voted to delay opening 1 hour on August 25, 2022 to 11 am to allow construction crews to move furniture and equipment to begin new renovation work. 

8/12/2022 The Youth Services Department will be closed until further notice for safety and continued renovations. We are installing new electrical work, updating lighting, and creating a family-friendly restroom and a private study room at this time. 

7/22/2022 The Youth Services Department will be closed for renovations from Monday, August 1 - Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Renovation Project Renderings