- UPDATE: 11/29/21: The Library’s front entrance has reopened to the public.
Starting Tuesday, October 12th, 2021, the Library will be beginning a renovation project to our front entrance. This project was initially planned during the Library’s 2019 Capital Improvement Plan performed by Engineering Solutions Team.
To help fund this project, the Library applied for and was awarded a Live and Learn Construction Grant through the Illinois State Library and the Illinois Secretary of State.
Please find below a list of frequently asked questions you might have about this project.
If you have further questions, please contact Library Director Chris Sloan at (630) 766-4642 or csloan@benlib.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
To complete this project, the Library will:
- Remove the original covered front-entry walkway, which has become rotted and is structurally compromised
- Remove brick pavers and replace with poured concrete to create a more even and accessible entrance
- Create a new knee-high seating wall
- Add additional lighting
- Replace fascia and add gutters to divert water away from the building
- Demo old bike rack and install new bike rack
The Library Board of Trustees took care to ensure that the plans for this project were designed to honor the look and feel of the original design.
As mentioned, the original covered walkway has become structurally unsound and needs replacement.
In considering repair, the Library Board of Trustees decided to take the opportunity to update the Library’s façade and make the front entry more open and accessible.
Additionally, plans for Spring of 2022 include installing new 24-hour outdoor pickup lockers.
No, we do not anticipate any change to the Library’s services or hours during the duration of this project.
For our hours of operation, please visit benlib.org/location-hours.
The Library went to bid publically in September 2021 and awarded a construction contract to the low bidder, who is Efraim Carlson & Son LLC.
This project will begin on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 and is estimated to be completed in four weeks.
For safety reasons, the Library’s front entrance will be fenced off during construction.
A temporary, ADA accessible entrance will be created on the south side of the Library in the Adult Services Department. Patrons can park in any available spaces, but the spaces on the south side of the lot will be the closest to the temporary entrance.
Yes, our curbside service will still be available during our construction. We ask that you pull up alongside our temporary entrance and call the Library at (630) 766-4642 to let us know that you have arrived.
To read more about what is available via Curbside Pickup, visit benlib.org/curbside.
Yes, our outside book drop will be fully open and temporarily moved to the south side parking lot.
We will be creating a temporary Circulation Desk by the temporary entrance (in the Adult Services Department) and we will be closing the front Circulation Desk.
Circulation staff will be at the temporary desk and will be able to assist as they normally do.
Patron holds will also be moved to this temporary desk.