Library Expansion
Library Expansion Project 
In 2016, the Lillie M. Evans Library District embarked on a construction project that expanded the library space. Accommodating community needs has been a driving force for this project. The new addition has addressed some of the needs that have arisen in the last decade by focusing on the children’s programming and community programming needs. (Read more…)
Outline of Planning
- 2008: Purchased adjacent 219 N Walnut property
- 2010: Long Range Planning—focus group priorities indicated that 10 of the 22 participants wanted to see a library expansion project within 3 years
- 2011-2013: Library spaces rearranged and repurposed
- 2014: Building program developed to:
- Indentify strengths/weaknesses
- Prioritize additional community needs
- Assist future architects with space needs in architectural terms
- 2015: Architect hired – Donald Westlake lead architect
- Due to poor repair and incompatibility for library expansion, 219 N Walnut building demolished
- Design of expansion using Building Program completed
- Furniture plan completed before blueprints proceed
- 2016: Funding sources
- Library reserves
- Library tax levy
- Grant for $125,000 awarded from state funds administered by the Secretary of State and State Librarian
- TIF funds--$25,000/year for the remaining life of TIF District 1 (2028)
- Loan from local bank
- Donations
- 2016-2017: Construction
- Bid documents completed & building timeline prepared
- Bids advertised
- Bid accepted from Bishop Brothers, Inc.
- Insurance policies in place
- Excavation and compaction started October 3, 2016 (pictures)
- Groundbreaking - Tuesday, October 11, 1pm (pictures)
- Building permit authorized 11/8/16
- Underfloor plumbing & electrical rough-in 11/19/16
- Pour the slab 11/22/16
- Firewall cinderblock up 12/9/16
- Complete hardened space walls pictures (December 2016)
Wood framing & addition enclosed pictures (December 2016-January 2017) - Roof trusses and framing complete (February-March 2017)
- Interior walls framed (March 2017)
- Ceiling gypsum installed (March 2017)
- Interior walls erected
- Interior electrical, HVAC, plumbing installed
- Roofing complete
- Drywall installed
- Firewall and fire alarm system installed
- Flooring and painting complete
- Adult materials and shelving moved
- Children's materials and shelving moved
- Old children's area where shelving was located was repainted, flooring was installed, and the children's mural framed
- DVDs moved and counters installed in old children's area
- Baseboards installed in old children's area
- carpeting for new children's area repaired and installed
- Punch list complete
- Open House - Monday, October 23 4:30-6:30pm
Donations are being accepted for the construction project
