Architecture and Interior Design

Important Dates: Groundbreaking: April 15, 1999 Opening day: August 14, 2000 Grand Opening: September 24, 2000

• Architect: Lohan Associates
• Builder: Leopardo Companies, Inc.
• Building Statistics:
  • 82,000 sq. ft. plus a 4-story atrium
  • 152' 4" wide
  • 150' 8" deep
  • 68' tall
• Exterior:
  • Winner of a 2001 Illinois Indiana Masonry Council Excellence in Masonry Award
  • Norman bricks in Desert Ironspot
  • Minnesota Kasota stone in Golden Buff
  • Aluminum accent panels in Patina Copper
• Interior:
  • 80% public area
  • 14% offices and staff work areas
  • 6% mechanical spaces
  • Anegre and maple millwork

Library Plaza:

• Clock tower
• Inscribed bricks
• Peace Pole

Atrium:

• 60' tall
• Hanging sculpture by Kristina Lucas and Michael Hayden of Thinking Lightly

First Floor:

• Book return, checkout, and registration services
• 15" stone flooring in Malibu Beach in corridors and enclosed walkway
• Service desks trimmed with Buxy French limestone
• Theater style meeting room A
• Friends' meeting rooms B & C
• Extended hours book drops in enclosed walkway
• Friends of the Library perpetual book sale

Second Floor:

• Color theme: Blue
• Administrative offices
• Conference room
• Youth Services information desk
• Storytime/Craft room
• Built-in aquarium
• Family restroom
• C Friendship boat
• Poet Tree Corner
• Mural by Robert Jessup

Third Floor:

• Color theme: Yellow
• Readers' Services information desk
• Rotary Heritage Room
• 2 study rooms
• Assistive technology
• High School study room
• Magazine & Newspaper reading area
• Mural by Pae White
• Companion piece to atrium sculpture, also by Kristina Lucas and Michael Hayden of Thinking Lightly

Fourth Floor:

• Color theme: Red
• Reference Services information desk
• 3 study rooms
• Public computers and computer lab
• Terrace
• Wall sculpture by Fred Nagelbach