North Chicago Library makeover brings new community opportunities

By Gregory Harutunian For Chronicle Media

Rachel Yancey(left), June Patteron, and Library Director Joan Battley at a reference desk. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)

When the North Chicago Public Library re-opened its doors last July, even former patrons were shocked over the dark nearly 30-year-old interior being transformed into a “place of light.”

Upgrades for the interior color schemes, layout, and ergonomic functions that were sorely needed since its site inauguration have hurled the facility into the 21st century.

North Chicago-based Abbvie, Inc., through its community foundation, and the Heart of America volunteer program partnered with the library’s stakeholders in bringing the necessary improvements to fruition. More than $500,000 and months of prep work went into design and engineering plans, execution and construction, as well as consultation meetings with the library board members and municipal officials.

Closed last year, from June 5 until its grand re-opening on July 10, the North Chicago Public Library’s transformation included meeting rooms, a studio recording center, a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) corner, a business center for employment and résumé skill enhancement, new lighting, brighter color schemes, and an open-space ambience.

The entry foyer now depicts the night sky rotation on it ceiling, with the 12 constellations, before leading to a raised reception counter wall that puts access in two directions: the children’s section and the adult area.

“This is just amazing,” said former patron Alyx Arora, visiting with her son, Arjun, who “bee-lined” for the youngster space to read with other children. “This feels like a library now … just amazing.”

Library director Joan Battley helps a young patron at a computer station. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)The library’s brighter color scheme and open-air ambience add to an academic-style space. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)

Library director Joan Battley has also noted the differences.

“They told me to create a wish list and to dream big, which is exactly what we did. This is a God-given gift, as there is no way we could have afforded this through our normal funding channels. More than cosmetic, the facility has become state-of-the art and compatible with the coming technologies.

“This has become the learning center that we always wanted in providing educational opportunities to invest in our community. The days of the little old lady with the bun hairdo … that’s over,” she said. “We have to meet the needs of our community and address the demographics that really make up our city, and this is a giant step.”

Battley celebrates two decades with the library this May. Early on, she handled the “Storytime” duties and the attendance was comprised mostly from military families stationed at the nearby Great Lakes Naval Training Center. A gradual shift occurred, turning to a broader mix of ethnicities, and more importantly, North Chicago school district students.

All the district’s school libraries were treated to a makeover by the same foundation and the concept of a lighter color scheme for the public library allowed for continuity.

“We met with the school administrations and their library officials, so we were all on the same page,” said Battley. “The idea was to serve as an extension from their school library in colors, and establishing the comfort level to our facility. They know their studies can not only be completed, but expanded here. Media resources and the computer have put things into the palms of our hands.

The library’s makeover included a renovated children’s section. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)

“Our children should be training for careers in engineering, software design, the medical fields … we just want to show them the doorway to take advantage of it. Becoming self-sufficient through education is tantamount to having the tools to succeed. Effort will pay off with success. We can help create a domino effect for career opportunities. How beautiful is that? And we are grateful to everyone involved with providing that chance.”

In setting up the academic-style environment, the library goal of fulfilling its community outreach as a learning organization is being met. Abbvie and Heart of America also supplied books, and iPads.

“Everything is gadgets now,” said Battley. “I have to learn, I have to adapt, and change with the technologies that come forward.

Located at 2100 Argonne Drive in North Chicago, the library had previously inhabited the brick and mortar structure that reflected 1950s library designs at the intersection of 17th Street and Lincoln Avenue. After the new site opened in Nov. 1989, the interior had changed little from its original appearance, except for a nod to public computers.

The newly renovated spaces now include an outdoor learning garden that will help in studying environment sciences, with John Heideman, the Children’s Librarian, overseeing the project, and the 3-D printing work area. Three study carrels were also placed in the adult area.

“Education is so vital, a foundation in helping people learn to rely on themselves, and no wait with their hand out,” said Battley. “Give someone the tools, and a vibrant library … the possibilities have no horizon.”

 

North Chicago Library makeover brings new community opportunities–