Messenger Public Library in North Aurora held two events recently to give residents a chance to get information and offer feedback concerning possible future improvements to the facility at 113 Oak St.
The sessions, held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 16 and 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 17, were another step in the process as the library works to develop a master plan to guide updates and enhancements in the next decade, officials said.
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The events offered a chance for the public to learn more about the process and possible plans as the library looks toward its future, according to officials.
A press release from the library said that there will be an ongoing “exploration into adaptations and improvements needed for the physical building” which were labeled as a priority as well as “building safety, accessibility, entrances, parking and prudent improvements.”
Shannon Halikias, library director, said the two sessions last week were an opportunity for the public to meet with officials from Wight and Company, which is working with the library on the future plans.
Halikias said the design and engineering firm “really specializes in libraries which is one of the reasons we were attracted to them.”
“They are experts in library design and architecture and they also have a really firm engineering component to their company,” she said. “We have retained them, first and foremost, to redo our capital needs plan which tells us the status of our building right now.
“Already, we know we have in front of us redoing our HVAC system and air boxes – it’s just aged out of life as we’re over 20 years,” she said. “They assess everything from plumbing to roof to electrical – what’s happening all around your building.”
She said the two meetings last week provided an opportunity for company officials “to meet with our public and have … conversations with them about what they really love about the building and what they would like to see improved.”
Library officials said there is a focus on what needs to be done “to keep our building relevant and continue to update it.”
“Accessibility has been the leader so far in terms of discussions. One thing that really resonates with me is people think accessibility is not a necessity when you have it,” Halikias said. “But when you see people that struggle who don’t have the same range of mobility then it becomes a bigger issue.”
Parking remains limited, Halikias said, adding also that “entrances are extremely long and sloped and difficult for people to get into.”
“Our book drop is not functional and as we started to have discussions about our building it really came down to we can’t just put a Band-Aid on an issue. We need to consider what we might be doing the next 20 years,” she said.
She said the overall goal for the library is to “walk out of this process with a 20-year master plan so that we can systemically and methodically update our building at cost-effective prices,” she said. “It’s a long-term capital and master plan.”
Lisa Schmidt, a principal with Wight and Company, handled questions from visitors at the Sept. 16 meeting and agreed that “what we’ve heard from the board so far is accessibility into the building.”
“One of the things we specialize with is universal design and realizing access for all and understanding ways to improve areas to allow for – from a mobility and circulation standpoint – how to improve spaces,” she said. “That’s one of the things we’d like to assist the library with. There are challenges with the building and accessibility from the main road.”
The meeting on Sept.16 drew a number of residents including Herman Gold of North Aurora, who said he has lived in the village for nine years and is a frequent user of the library.
“I come here at least three or four times a week and while I don’t have any concerns, I’m interested in what’s going on,” he said. “I can see where access and parking are issues here for the handicapped. It seems like some of the parking area is not being used as well as it could be.”
Isabel Chavez of Aurora also said she comes frequently to the library, “as many as three to four times a month.”
“I feel like they need more windows and things are a bit outdated,” Chavez said of the library building. “And some really nice landscaping would be wonderful.”
Valerie Higgins of North Aurora also offered her thougts during the Sept. 16 event and said she overall “really likes the library.”
“That’s why I came here, to see if I could think of anything else it needed,” she said.
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David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.