Home Services 2024–2025 Renovation

2024–2025 Library Renovation

Construction Has Begun!

Our 2024-2025 Renovation began this week! As a reminder, you can expect these temporary changes when you visit this winter.

On the First Floor:

All programs for children and teens will be held in the first-floor Meeting Rooms or offsite.
The Meeting Room will be closed to outside reservations and used for library programs and events only.
The Digital Media Studio will be closed.
Due to the lack of seating and play areas on the second floor, please expect more young children, teens, and families on the first floor. We are doing our best to have materials to entertain children during their visit, and we will post signage to ensure adult patrons have designated quiet space.

On the Second Floor:

Restrooms will not be available from December–March. First-floor restrooms will be open.
No seating or play areas will be available until Stage 2 is complete.
- See renovation timeline below.
Throughout the renovation, collections on the second floor will be moving around. If you need help finding an item, don’t hesitate to ask—we are here for you!

An update on our Fish Tank:

If you have children who miss visiting our fish tank on the second floor, please reassure them that the fish are safe and can even be livestreamed at tplibrary.me/aquarium.

We are looking forward to welcoming a clownfish, a blue hippo tang, a black & white butterfly fish, a yellowtail damselfish, a lemon peel angel fish, and a porcupine puffer fish to our new saltwater aquarium in the spring!

Survey Results

Congratulations to patron Andrea S. who completed our renovation survey and won a $50 Amazon gift card!

Renovation Timeline (Subject to Change)

Stage 1: December–March

First Floor

Minor, short-term work in nonfiction area

Second Floor

Heavy construction and renovation of:

Teen Activity Room
Teen study area
Restrooms
Youth Activity Room
Youth play area
Youth Services staff area

Stage 2: March–May

First Floor

Renovation of restrooms
Addition of single-user restroom

Second Floor

Seating near new youth play area and E Fiction
Construction work on soffits and ceiling

Stage 3: April–June

First Floor

Drive-thru lane construction
Addition of drive-thru window

Second Floor

Shifting Juvenile and Teen collections

FAQ - General

What is changing?

The primary focus of the renovation will be refreshing our second floor Youth Services Department:

Replacing 20-year-old carpet, furniture, and seating
Updating programming rooms
Improving accessibility
Adding a dual purpose nursing and sensory room
Optimizing space throughout the floor

Additionally we will be making the following changes:

Restrooms on both floors will be updated
A first-floor family/all-gender restroom to be added to enhance accessibility for all library patrons
A drive-up window for convenient pickup of holds will be added to our existing drive-up book drop

What is the timeline for the renovation project?

Construction is expected to begin in December 2024 and last through early summer 2025.

How is the library paying for the renovation?

Thanks to diligent long-term planning, fiscal responsibility, and stewardship, the library has secured ample funds to cover all planned improvements.

FAQ - Library Services

Will you be closing the library?

No, the library will remain open during construction.

How will this affect my visits to the library?

Product Architecture + Design and SMC Construction Services have planned for construction to be done in phases to minimize the impact on library patrons’ experience. Areas of the building will be closed off at different times throughout the renovation, but our usual services and collections will remain available. You may notice a temporarily scaled down schedule of programs, and programs may be held offsite.

Preliminary Renderings

: Youth Services Play Area

: Youth Services Desk

Previous Updates

10/4/24

The Tinley Park Public Library Board of Trustees awarded bids at its September 25, 2024 regular meeting. Construction is expected to begin in early December and end in summer 2025. In addition to refreshing the second-floor Youth Services Department, a drive-up window will be added to the East side of the building for convenient pickup of holds, and a first-floor family/all-gender restroom will be added to enhance accessibility for all library patrons.

Renovation Announcement: Renewing Our Building for the Next Generation of Readers

As we celebrate 20 years in our current building, we are excited to announce plans to revitalize our second floor Youth Services Department for the next generation of readers. These renovations are part of a strategic planning process that began just before the COVID-19 pandemic. A community survey informed our Board-approved Strategic Plan and architectural master plan, guiding our efforts ahead.

Our Board and staff are committed to maintaining a welcoming, modern facility. We understand these changes may prompt questions for our patrons. Our staff are here to support you and ensure access to all services during this transformation.