Architect Honored; Expansion Plan Moves Forward

"Our firm is honored to secure this important commission to design the renovations and expansion of Cook Memorial Public Library District's facilities," says Patrick Callahan, AIA, LEED-AP, of Gilfillan Callahan Nelson Architects. "We look forward to helping Cook Memorial Public Library District to solve its space issues, which will ultimately lead to improved service levels to its patrons."

"We've assembled a team of experienced and talented professionals. The team includes Pat Callahan, principal-in-charge, who will coordinate the project; Scott Delano, AIA, LEED-AP, director of design, a California transplant with national experience in the institutional and library sectors; and Belinda Roller, project architect, a University of Dublin graduate native who offers strong technical experience in library planning, design and construction.

The 15-year-old firm, which specializes in designing public-sector projects, has successfully completed more than 300 new construction, renovation and addition projects. Its current library clients include Green Hills Public Library (Palos Hills), Oak Lawn Public Library, and Roselle Public Library.

"We'll offer two different approaches to the two different sites," says Callahan. "Each will be respectful to its surrounding community. Our approach begins with engaging the constituents and library patrons in planning dialogue," he says. "We'll work closely with library staff and trustees to manage the project schedule and budget."

"Our plan is to get started immediately. By fall, we will have developed a project schedule, complete with realistic dates for ground-breaking, construction and ribbon-cutting activities. Our goal is to allow the library to continue to offer its patrons uninterrupted service while we perform our necessary work."