Since the 95^th Street branch of the Naperville Public Library opened in 2003, more than 6.3 million people have walked through its doors.

On an average day, 2,500 people come to the facility — one of three library facilities including Nichols Library and Naper Blvd. Library in Naperville —  according to 95^th Street Library Manager Karen Dunford.

“It is a much loved place here in Naperville,” she added.

And, with that love comes wear and tear.

Along with the wear and tear, the “smart phone, tablet, laptop explosion” occurred after the library’s opening, Dunford said.
 “We have customers coming in who need power and we don’t have power that is safely located under tables and chairs,” she added.

As a result, the 95^th Street Naperville Public Library is undergoing a $2.7 million renovation conducted by Williams Architects that will include the creation of seven additional study rooms, a recording studio, a green screen room and teen space with a gaming center.

The renovation also will change the layout of the library based on what users need today.

When the library was designed in 2003, Dunford said the library world was more print-focused. Today, a vast amount of resources are available electronically.

In preparation for the renovation, a team of librarians has been assessing the library’s print collection.

“This allows us to downsize the print collection without sacrificing content,” she added.

Due to the influx of electronic resources, the library’s redesign will remove shelving and replace it with additional tables and lounge seating.

In addition, the library’s current six study rooms will be relocated to the back of the second floor and seven additional study rooms will be added for a total of 13 study rooms.

“We have a huge demand for study rooms,” Dunford said.

The renovation work will also include a revamped teen space.

“We will have a computer lab, tables, chairs, and lounge seating partitioned off just for teens,” she said.

“We hope those teens (from nearby Neuqua Valley High School) who come in and need to unwind after school will go to the first floor’s designated social zone space,” Dunford said..

Other teens who want to get a jump into their work can go upstairs to the second floor which will have a quiet zone, she added.

A feature wall, that will include decorative depictions of night with a moon and stars and day with the sun and blue sky, will be added to the first floor children’s area, she added.

Crafts also will be set up all day in a maker’s space, Dunford said.

As part of the renovation, the print collections will be merged.

“All the audio visuals materials will be together,” she said.

The renovation work began last week with sections of carpeting removed and the movement of shelves.

Renovations for 95th Street Library are expected to be in full swing by the second week of April with electrical work.

The redesign will include color elements of orange, grey, deep charcoal, turquoise, and purple.

The furniture will be brushed chrome, Dunford said.

The library will be closed periodically due to the construction until the project’s completion in late October/early November.

At other times, a portion of the library will be cordoned off, she added.

The last time the 13-year-old building underwent improvements was in 2009.

“95th Street Library is very heavily used, especially during the school year. It’s also very busy on weekends,” Julie Rothenfluh, Naperville Public Library executive director, said.

“Thanks to the available parking, many of our larger programs are planned for 95th Street Library. There is also heavy community use of the room rental spaces. While it is the newest of our buildings, the heavy use is evident in the condition of the carpeting, tables, and chairs. We will be adding access to electricity, improving lighting, and rearranging collections for optimal seating.”