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2024–2025 Library Renovation

illustration of various building and construction tools


Construction Update

March 20, 2025

Our 2024–2025 Renovation has reached a major milestone—Stage 1 is nearly complete! Thank you for your patience as we work to create an improved library experience for you, your family, and our community.

What to Expect in the Coming Weeks

🚧 Please Note: Construction will take place on both floors during Stage 2. 🚧

March 31

  • Demolition of the first-floor restrooms begins.
  • Expect construction noise between 9 am and 3 pm.
  • Second floor restrooms will be open.
  • We appreciate your understanding!

    April 7

    • Outdoor book drop will close. Please bring materials inside.

    Mid-April

    • Children’s and teen programs will return to the newly renovated program rooms upstairs.

    April 28

    • Newly renovated play area will open.

     

    Thank you again for your patience and support as we transform our library into a better space for everyone!

    CHECK OUT OUR RENOVATION TIMELINE

     

    See Previous Updates


     

    Renovation Timeline (Subject to Change)

    Stage 1: December–March

    First Floor

    • Minor, short-term work in nonfiction area

    Second Floor

    Heavy construction and renovation of:

    • Teen Activity Room
    • Teen study area
    • Restrooms
    • Youth Activity Room
    • Youth play area
    • Youth Services staff area

    Stage 2: March–May

    First Floor

    • Renovation of restrooms
    • Addition of single-user restroom
    • Expected to finish in May

    Second Floor

    • Seating near new youth play area and E Fiction
    • Construction work on soffits and ceiling
    • Expected to finish in April

    Stage 3: Late April–July

    First Floor

    • Restroom construction will conclude
    • Drive-thru lane construction and addition of drive-thru window begins April 7

    Second Floor

    • Renovations on west side of building and center of floor near Youth & Teen Services Desk
    • Shifting Juvenile and Teen collections

    FAQ - General

    What is changing?

    The primary focus of the renovation will be refreshing our second floor Youth Services Department:

    • Replacing 20-year-old carpet, furniture, and seating
    • Updating programming rooms
    • Improving accessibility
    • Adding a dual purpose nursing and sensory room
    • Optimizing space throughout the floor

    Additionally we will be making the following changes:

    • Restrooms on both floors will be updated
    • A first-floor family/all-gender restroom to be added to enhance accessibility for all library patrons
    • A drive-up window for convenient pickup of holds will be added to our existing drive-up book drop

    What is the timeline for the renovation project?

    Construction is expected to begin in December 2024 and last through July 2025.

    How is the library paying for the renovation?

    Thanks to diligent long-term planning, fiscal responsibility, and stewardship, the library has secured ample funds to cover all planned improvements.

    FAQ - Library Services

    Will you be closing the library?

    No, the library will remain open during construction.

    How will this affect my visits to the library?

    Product Architecture + Design and SMC Construction Services have planned for construction to be done in phases to minimize the impact on library patrons’ experience. Areas of the building will be closed off at different times throughout the renovation, but our usual services and collections will remain available. You may notice a temporarily scaled down schedule of programs, and programs may be held offsite.

    Preliminary Renderings


    Previous Updates

    1/3/25

    Construction Continues

    Our 2024–2025 Renovation is well underway! We appreciate your patience as we work to improve our building for you, your families, and the entire community.

    Construction Progress

    • Stage 1 demolition complete!
    • Framing of walls and soffits in progress
    • Structural steel added for Teen Lounge retractable glass wall
    • Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work is ongoing

    As a reminder, you can expect these temporary changes when you visit this winter:

    On the First Floor:

    • All programs for children and teens will be held in the first-floor Meeting Rooms or offsite.
    • The Meeting Room is closed to outside reservations and used for library programs and events only.
    • The Digital Media Studio is closed.

    On the Second Floor:

    • Restrooms are not available from December–March. First-floor restrooms are open.
    • No seating or play areas are available until Stage 2 is complete.
    • Collections will be moving around. If you need help finding an item, don’t hesitate to ask—we are here for you!

    Due to the lack of seating and play areas on the second floor, please expect more young children, teens, and families on the first floor.

    • We have coloring sheets and crayons available near the elevator and stairs.
    • At the Computer Assistant Desk, children and teens can check out iPads to use while in the library.
    • Signage has been posted in quiet zones and social zones to minimize disruption and ensure everyone’s enjoyment of the library.

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    12/6/24

    Construction Has Begun!

    Our 2024-2025 Renovation began this week! As a reminder, you can expect these temporary changes when you visit this winter.

    On the First Floor:

    • All programs for children and teens will be held in the first-floor Meeting Rooms or offsite.
    • The Meeting Room will be closed to outside reservations and used for library programs and events only.
    • The Digital Media Studio will be closed.
    • Due to the lack of seating and play areas on the second floor, please expect more young children, teens, and families on the first floor. We are doing our best to have materials to entertain children during their visit, and we will post signage to ensure adult patrons have designated quiet space.

    On the Second Floor:

    • Restrooms will not be available from December–March. First-floor restrooms will be open.
    • No seating or play areas will be available until Stage 2 is complete.
    • Throughout the renovation, collections on the second floor will be moving around. If you need help finding an item, don’t hesitate to ask—we are here for you!

    An update on our Fish Tank:

    If you have children who miss visiting our fish tank on the second floor, please reassure them that the fish are safe and can even be livestreamed at tplibrary.me/aquarium.

    We are looking forward to welcoming a clownfish, a blue hippo tang, a black & white butterfly fish, a yellowtail damselfish, a lemon peel angel fish, and a porcupine puffer fish to our new saltwater aquarium in the spring! 

    Survey Results

    Congratulations to patron Andrea S. who completed our renovation survey and won a $50 Amazon gift card!

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    10/4/24

    The Tinley Park Public Library Board of Trustees awarded bids at its September 25, 2024 regular meeting. Construction is expected to begin in early December and end in summer 2025. In addition to refreshing the second-floor Youth Services Department, a drive-up window will be added to the East side of the building for convenient pickup of holds, and a first-floor family/all-gender restroom will be added to enhance accessibility for all library patrons.

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    Renovation Announcement: Renewing Our Building for the Next Generation of Readers

    As we celebrate 20 years in our current building, we are excited to announce plans to revitalize our second floor Youth Services Department for the next generation of readers. These renovations are part of a strategic planning process that began just before the COVID-19 pandemic. A community survey informed our Board-approved Strategic Plan and architectural master plan, guiding our efforts ahead.

    Our Board and staff are committed to maintaining a welcoming, modern facility. We understand these changes may prompt questions for our patrons. Our staff are here to support you and ensure access to all services during this transformation.

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