Cook Park Library Now Open!

Despite the cold weather, over 4000 people attended our Grand Opening on Saturday, January 8 over a four hour time period. The Grand Opening festivities were kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Library Director Stephen Kershner, Board President Bonnie Quirke, and Libertyville Mayor Terry Weppler. Once inside patrons enjoyed music played by a very talented clarinet quartet comprised of current and former LHS students. A photo booth in the Teen area was a huge success and a fun way for patrons young and old to commemorate the day with complimentary photos. Positive comments were heard throughout the day from patrons who loved the spaciousness, the windows and all the new amenities including the adult reading room with fireplace, the small group study rooms and the new Children’s wing. Over 6,000 items were checked out that day but the fun didn’t stop there!

The Children’s Wing Grand Opening on Saturday, January 15 proved to be quite successful too with storytimes, face painting and a special presentation by entertainer and juggler Ken Schultz, “The Flying Fool”. So many children attended his two performances that parents had to wait outside the meeting room!

This beautiful library is much more than a building filled with books, dvds, cds, and magazines. We hope you will find our library to be a refuge. A place to not only find information, but a place you can escape to; a place where the community can come together. For us the library is the heart of a community and we are so pleased to be back!

There are many others who were involved with the completion and success of this project who deserve our warmest thanks:

Studio GC
Maggio Construction
The Friends of the Cook Memorial Public Library District
Rob Broms of Recordahit
Robert Merritt
Our clarinet quartet members; Colleen Caniff, Eric Leech, Jackie Hong, and Emmy Bjerre-Jensen
Ken Schultz
Miss Libertyville Alyssa Zizzo
Junior Miss Libertyville Ashley Muller
Little Miss Libertyville Arianna Berner

Finally, thank you to all our patrons for your patience during the long construction phase!

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The opening date of Cook Park Library will be announced soon. Here’s a list of library services affected in preparation of the opening:

Wednesday, December 1
• New Holds, Interlibrary Loans and LINKin requests cannot be placed during the month of December.

Thursday, December 16
• Temporary Library Center (TLC) will
PERMANENTLY CLOSE at 5 p.m.
• Aspen Drive Library will close at 5 p.m.

Friday, December 17
• ALL LOCATIONS CLOSED

Saturday, December 18
• Aspen Drive Library resumes regular hours.

Saturday, January 1
• Drop boxes at TLC locked.
• Please return your materials to the new drive-up return window located on the south side of the building at the Cook Park Library.

Continued Service
• Our Aspen Drive Library (with the exception of Thursday evening, December 16 and Friday, December 17) will continue to be open during this transition at 701 Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills.
• Our Bookmobile will be parked outside the TLC from 3-7 p.m. on the following dates: December 20-23 & December 27-30. A select number of popular items will be available for checkout.

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Cook Park Carpet Installation

New carpet is now being installed at Cook Park Library

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Cook Park Library October Update

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Cook Park Progress

Although we have not posted an update in some time, rest assured that Cook Park is still moving forward! You may not see any progress from the outside, other than the new parking lot and street lamps, but there is MUCH activity going on inside! View our slide show and see for yourself!

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Cook Parking Lot

From 08-18-10 Cook Parking Lot

Progress on the parking lot at Cook Park Library.

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The Aspen Drive Library opened with much pomp and circumstance on Saturday, July 10!

Hundreds of people attended the grand opening which included a flag raising ceremony, local student Grace Ferolo’s lovely rendition of the National Anthem, and a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Acting Library Director Mary Ellen Stembal, Board President Bonnie Quirke, and Vernon Hills Mayor Roger Byrne.

Once inside patrons enjoyed music played by the Vernon Hills High School Strings and entertainment by Chris Fascione. A photo booth in the Young Adult area helped patrons young and old commemorate their visit to the grand opening with complimentary photos. Over 2,500 people came through the doors that day and over 4000 items were checked out. Amazing numbers for an amazing day!

From Aspen Grand Opening Photos

From Aspen Grand Opening Photos

From Aspen Grand Opening Photos

A very special Thank You to Mayor Roger Byrne and the Village of Vernon Hills for their very generous donation of the land. Without their support, we would not be here today!

There are many others who were involved with the completion and success of this project who deserve our warmest thanks:

Studio GC

EVS Construction

The Friends of the Cook Memorial Public Library District

Rob Broms of Recordahit

Grace Ferolo

Libertyville/Vernon Hills VFW

Robert Merritt

Vernon Hills High School Strings

Chris Fascione

Countryside Fire Department

Star Auto Authority

All the wonderful student volunteers

Finally, we would like to thank all of our patrons who have donated gifts and trees. Your support means so much to us!

Keep checking back for updates on the Cook Park expansion and renovation. We are still on target for completion in late fall of 2010 when we will be celebrating another momentous occasion!

From Aspen Grand Opening Photos

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Aspen Drive Library Grand Opening!

Don’t miss our exciting Opening Day at the new Aspen Drive Library, 701 Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills, on Saturday, July 10, 2010!

The celebration will kick-off at noon with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony led by Acting Library Director Mary Ellen Stembal, Board President Bonnie Quirke, and Vernon Hills Mayor Roger Byrne. A number of events are planned to celebrate the inauguration of Cook Memorial Public Library District’s new library facility including the singing of the National Anthem by local student Grace Ferolo and music by the talented Vernon Hills High School string ensemble.

There will also be a lively performance by entertainer Chris Fascione, a photo booth to help you commemorate the event and a fun activity to introduce you to the library. Everyone is welcome to attend!

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Goodbye Evergreen, Hello Aspen

Evergreen is Moving to Aspen Drive!

Evergreen Interim Library
290 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills

Aspen Drive Library
701 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills
(847)362-2330

Frequently Asked Questions:

• When will Evergreen close?
Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 5 p.m.

• When will Aspen Drive open?
The Grand Opening will be Saturday, July 10, 2010 at noon.

• Is the Aspen Drive Library replacing the Evergreen Interim Library?
Yes. Our Evergreen location was designed as an interim facility to provide service until a permanent building could be constructed.

• Why can’t Aspen Drive open as soon as Evergreen closes?
We will need a few days to move library materials to the Aspen location and to make sure everything is in order for the Grand Opening on July 10th.

• After Evergreen closes where can I drop off materials?
We will continue to have remote drop boxes at:
Evergreen (The Vernon Hills Village Hall) – 290 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills
Oak Grove School - 1700 O'Plaine Rd, Libertyville
Temporary Library Center (TLC) – 114 N. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville
Bookmobile
Sullivan Center – 635 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills
(THE SULLIVAN CENTER DROP BOXES WILL BE REMOVED WHEN ASPEN DRIVE OPENS)

• After Evergreen closes where can I pick up holds?
Holds can be picked up on July 10th when Aspen opens. You will still have 4 days from that date to pick up your holds.

• What are Aspen Drive’s hours?
Aspen Drive’s hours will be the same as Evergreen and TLC:
Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday (Sept 12 - June): 1 – 5 p.m.

• When will Cook Park Library open?
In late Fall, 2010.

• Can I use my Vernon Area Library card at the Aspen Drive Library?
Yes. If you have registered your Vernon Area Library card with us.

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Aspen Drive Library is Completed!

After 17 months of construction, our Aspen Drive Library is done! We’ve come a long way since the groundbreaking in January, 2009 and Opening Day is fast approaching! Take a peek at the latest photos of our beautiful building. As you can see, the shelving has been installed with furniture installation not far behind. Join us on Saturday, July 10 at noon when we will be OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

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Cook Park Library Progress

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The latest progress on the Cook Park and Aspen Drive buildings.

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Construction Progress

Despite the many weather issues we have experienced, things are progressing on our building projects at a fast pace and they are really starting to look like the finished products! We thought it might be fun to provide you with side-by-side comparisons of each building that show what each building was designed to look like and what it actually looks like now. Below you will see the original drawings of each project above a photo of the actual building under construction. It really shows how far along the buildings are and what’s underneath all those tarps! Our completion dates of July 10, 2010 for Aspen Drive and Fall 2010 for Cook Park are getting closer and closer!

From Recently Updated

From Recently Updated

From Recently Updated

From Recently Updated

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The Aspen Library is really beginning to take shape!

Exterior and interior metal framing installation has begun and is proceeding like gangbusters! You can actually see the framework of the main entrance! The parking lot is taking shape as well with concrete for the main entry being poured in mid-October. Above grade plumbing and interior electrical work is ongoing and installation of the concrete block wall at the bookmobile garage began at the end of October. We continue to be right on schedule for a spring, 2010 completion date despite all the inclement weather we have been experiencing.

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Steel has arrived at Aspen!

A skeleton of the building can now be seen at Aspen! Steel started arriving last week and erectors immediately went to work. Erection should be complete in three weeks or less! In addition to that, the bookmobile garage and maintenance slabs have been poured with parking lot forming and curb evacuation progressing as well.

Remember to check back every week for updates!

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Cook Park Demolition

Excitement is in the air! Demolition officially began at the Cook Park Library on September 2 when construction crews demolished the front entrance in preparation for the construction of the new Children’s Wing! The concrete slab is expected to be poured in the next couple of weeks.

In addition to that, holes were cut out of the west side wall to accommodate the large, beautiful windows that will be installed in the Adult Services area. These windows will provide additional light and picturesque views of historic downtown Libertyville. If you haven’t had the opportunity to see this in person, we encourage you to check it out. It is quite the sight to behold!

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Where are all the other books??

Have you been wondering just where the materials not housed at the Temporary Library Center (TLC) are stored? Get your first glimpse below of the warehouse where all the “behind the scenes” items are located! As you know the TLC houses popular items including books, children’s materials, DVDs, CDs, and magazines. Everything else in the collection is located at the aforementioned warehouse and can be accessed by placing materials on hold. Materials can then be delivered to the TLC, the Evergreen Interim Library or the Bookmobile, with most items being transferred to your preferred location within 24 hours.

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TLC FAQs

Need help finding your way around TLC? Unsure of what it has to offer? For your convenience, here is a map and answers to the most frequently asked patron questions.

How can I get materials that the catalog shows as being “ON SHELF” at the Warehouse?
Just place a reserve (hold) on the items that you would like to check out.

Do you have Internet access at TLC?

Yes, Internet access is available. We have six computer stations for adults and two for children.

How can I reserve a computer at TLC?
Patrons can reserve an Internet computer up to a day ahead of time by calling the library or reserving a computer from home. To reserve a computer from home, click here .

Where are the new library materials – formerly called Browsing Best Sellers – located?
The “Hot Picks” and other new materials are located near the back door.

Where can I find the new video game collection?
The games are located across from the Children’s Reference Desk.

How long will it take to get a book from the Warehouse?
If the item is “on shelf,” turn around time is about 48 hours. Popular items may take longer, depending upon whether there are other reserves on these materials.

There are not enough parking spots in front of TLC. Where else can I park?
There are additional parking spaces behind the strip mall, where there is another entrance to TLC.

Just a word of caution: please hold onto your children and be careful when leaving TLC through the back door. Cars use the alley behind the library as a short cut out of the parking lot, and they sometimes travel too quickly and very close to the exit door. For your safety, please remember to look both ways when exiting TLC.

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Cook Park: Where is the parking lot?!

Demolition is now clearly underway at the Cook Library! Last week the construction fence was erected and this week trees were cleared and the parking lot was razed to make room for the construction trailers which will soon be in place. Demolition of the building could begin within the next two weeks! Stay tuned for more construction updates!

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Cook Park: Asbestos Abatement Finished!

Asbestos Abatement has been completed at Cook! Take your last look at the way Cook used to be. Things should start moving into high gear with construction fencing being installed as soon as next week.

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