The public has already "moved in" to the Forum, the Early Literacy Center, and the E-Bar, so what is left to do? The Commons, of course, and the resumption of technology group instruction throughout the building. And there's one more big surprise around the corner . . .
Our Fast Forward display in the lobby can give you all of the details, but here are the highlights:
We've created an entire Early Literacy Area with board books and all kinds of interactive play for toddlers and preschoolers. We've added new shelving and playful seating by the Poetree. We've debuted the new Information desks on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors. We've finished and opened the 4th floor Forum. We've added a vending area in front of the Friends' Meeting Rooms.
And by the time you read this, we will be making progress on two new attractions on the 3rd floor - The Commons and the E-Bar. You'll also see some changes in the lobby, including new Quick Pick shelving and a new Security Desk. We're on schedule, on budget, and building what our users asked for.
More than 15 years ago, Texas artist Robert Jessup painted a 90 foot mural for the second floor of the library. Like all of the library's art, it was funded by generous donations from Des Plaines residents. The mural called on children's stories from around the globe - Rapunzel, Aladdin, John Henry, Sinbad, and many more. Colorful and durable, it covered the entire south wall, surrounding the fish tank and the Storytime Room. Then in 2014, we expanded the Storytime Room (now called the Program Room) to meet the greatly increased demand for children's programming. But this project changed the shape of the wall, and the mural had to go into storage while we decided on a new home for it.
Luckily, the renovation revealed the perfect spot for it - the long hallway by Room A on the ground floor.
