Board Pursues Aspen Drive Site

The Cook Memorial Public Library District Board of Trustees announced on Tuesday, December 18, that they will focus their efforts on building a new library on Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills.

“We’re excited to bring the library into the community campus atmosphere,” said Dan Armstrong, Library Director. “The land’s proximity to major roads, schools, and public transportation makes it an ideal spot for a new library.”

The library district spent recent weeks pursuing financial and legal agreements to bring a full-service library to Vernon Hills. Officials thoroughly explored options to renovate the former Wickes building or build a new library on Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills.

After working closely with all the involved parties and legal counsel, library officials decided that building a new library on Aspen Drive would be the best option for the district.

"The board is working to ensure every option is thoroughly considered," said Board President Aaron Lawlor. "Our goal is to provide the best facility with the highest level of service while ensuring the investment of taxpayer dollars is fiscally responsible and free of legal liability. The Aspen Site achieves this goal and will serve our district well."

The Board unanimously approved a motion to develop an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Vernon Hills, direct architects to progress with plans for the Cook Park and Aspen Drive sites, advance an application for state funds pledged to the district, and develop a plan for philanthropic and community involvement participation in the project.

The Village of Vernon Hills purchased land on Aspen Drive in 2006 and offered the land to the Cook Memorial Public Library District for a full-service library in Vernon Hills. When completed, the new library on Aspen Drive will offer a computer lab, small group study spaces, a meeting room, a teen space, and a children’s area.

The Building a Better Future expansion plan will add 30,000 square feet of library space to the library district without raising taxes. The plan includes remodeling and adding 10,000 square feet to the Cook Park Library in Libertyville and creating a full-service, permanent library in Vernon Hills. Both projects will be completed simultaneously, with a total budget of approximately $14 million. Funding for the construction and operations costs are provided for in the district’s annual budgets.

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