The Canvas
Des Plaines Public Library has begun renovating the northwest corner of the 4th floor of the library into a new creative space called The Canvas, to debut in early 2025.
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ABOUT THE PROJECT
The project is funded by a restricted donation in memory of long-time and much beloved reference librarian Steven Giese, who passed away in the spring of 2022.
Equipment for The Canvas will be funded through a $64,000 donation from The Rivers Casino/Rivers Gives.
A creative space was the most requested new service in a 2022 survey of residents and library users, conducted during the development of the library’s 2023-2025 Strategic Plan.
The new space will replace current open seating, a small bank of public computers, and underutilized shelving.
The Canvas was designed by architect Michael Barnes of Lohan Architecture, llc, who designed both the original building and the 2016 renovation project that included The Forum, the Terrace and other spaces throughout the library.
The construction piece of the project was awarded to Troop Construction, who also completed the 2016 renovation.
In The Canvas, library cardholders will be able to use a wide variety of sewing and quilting machines, printers, Cricut machines, laser cutters, heat presses, and other hobby and creative arts equipment will be available for residents to reserve and work independently.
A full schedule of classes, workshops, and drop-in sessions will be offered in the space for all ages. One full-time and one part-time staffer will be allocated to manage and run the space.
The space is anticipated to open in early 2025.
Residents will be able to follow the development of the space at www.dppl.org/TheCanvas and on DPPL's Facebook and Instagram pages.
A space of this sort was a long a dream of Steven Giese, who in addition to being a reference librarian was also a talented artist.
Steven was also the creator of Des Plaines Memory, DPPL and the DPHC’s collaborative history project. He curated thousands of photos, videos, newspapers, yearbooks, and other memorabilia about Des Plaines, and wrote the metadata that allows anyone in the world to search for these treasures.
The monthly Des Plaines Memory Newsletter has thousands of loyal subscribers.
In fact, the Illinois Library Association honored him in 2021 with the Reference Librarian of the Year award for his superb work, and for his leadership in teaching other libraries to build their own digital collections.