Concerns Surround Cook Park Library’s January Opening

On Dec. 14, the Board of Library Trustees of the Cook Memorial Public Library District held their monthly meeting and their most important issue on the agenda was the opening of Cook Park Library. 

The library is striving to obtain temporary occupancy permit for Cook Park so the library can open on Jan. 8 but cannot gurantee the date because of legal issues. On Jan. 7, the library will still hold an invite-only opening at Cook Park and it will be determined then if the library will receive a temporary permit. The library is scheduled to receive its permanent occupancy permit in the spring of 2011.

A final village inspection revealed several issues that the library must correct before it receives its temporary occupancy permit, a requirement for opening its doors to the public.

"There's an issue with the [Americans with Disability Act] requirements at the staff entrance," said construction manager Jim Johnson. "This time of year, it's going to be difficult to fix because asphalt plants are closed. The solution we propose is to remove parts of the sidewalk. They're not needed."

Other requirements for occupancy include additional sprinkler heads, exit signs, and handrail posts. Mayor Terry Weppler was at the meeting and offered a solution to the sidewalk removal.

"There are events in Libertyville that residents really love," Weppler said.  "[The village] is asking to change the parking lot for two way traffic to allow for temporary closure of the Church Street entrance for village events. In return, my board will pay for the sidewalk removal and put in new curbing and black top."

The mayor's proposal was met with much concern by board members. Many believed that any change to the parking lot would need to be permanent to prevent confusion. They were also concerned with the safety of the reconfigured parking lot.

"I understand  your concern and I sympathize," said Board Member Karen Broms.  "We have worked through more hurdles with the parking situation, and what I'm most concerned about is the chaotic nature of the Brainerd entrance."

The board did not approve the mayor's plan but did agree that they would consider a village board approved permanent parking lot plan that would be within the village's budget.

Another issue addressed at the meeting was Cook Park Library's drop box. The bollard poles installed are too far away from the drop box so the construction team proposed removing them.  The board did not approve the idea, fearing that icy conditions could result in collision with the building. The board asked the construction and design team to come up with other solutions, including extending the mouth of the drop box. The issue could result in a temporary closure of the outdoor drop box.

The new library, however, wasn't seeing constant red flags. Director Stephen Kershner gave his report including the progress of the move to Cook Park.

"The move from the warehouse to the library started today," Kershner said.  "Shelving, equipment, books, and media have been moved. Two truck-loads will be shelved at Aspen. With the new compact shelving installed, 10,000 more volumes can be in the building."

In Kershner's report, he also addressed problems with the self-checkout stations at Aspen Drive.

"The lower portion of the desk is insufficient to operate the self checkout, they're too close together," Kershner said.  "It causes them to not charge items or they're charged on someone else's card, which leads to staff intervention."

Kershner's proposed solution was to remove the desk and install a longer desk. The board did not approve the plan, and asked for more cost effective plans. They agreed, however, that self checkout, which deals with half of Aspen's circulation, must be as functional as possible.

"We're checking out 80,000 items per month, and there's only one person at the circulation desk," said Board Member Karen Broms.