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Wrappings come off library renovations in Highland Park
Therese Eckhoff (left) and Elizabeth Sperry (right), both of Lake Forest, take advantage of a new "bistro" area in the renovated adult services section of the Highland Park Public Library on Jan. 31. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 7, 2013 1:30PM
HIGHLAND PARK — The Highland Park Public Library is ready to show off its brighter adult services section that features laptop plug-ins, a digital media laboratory and enclosed spaces for study, meeting and collaboration.
The three-month renovation project also created a better-lit and more inviting entryway off the lower-level parking lot.
“We have added heating and cooling in the area, so the building should be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer,” said Jane Conway, the library’s executive director. Old sliding doors that kept breaking down have been replaced. “They are timed so that when you enter one, the other doesn’t open until the other closes,” said Conway.
Residents are invited to drop by the library between 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, for a tour and demonstration of some of the new technology. Mayor Nancy Rotering will officially cut the ribbon on the library renovations at 1:30 p.m.
The digital media lab can be used for creating videos as well as editing photos and music; creating business cards and brochures; and designing websites. The room includes a green screen so that images can later be imposed on another background.
The Media:scape room allows multiple computer users to share ideas and information projected onto a pair of presentation screens.
The media laboratory and Media:scape room, as well as the study and conference rooms, are available for use by library cardholders. To complement the new technology, patrons will be able to check out items such as Web cameras and tripods.
New study tables all have outlets for users to plug in their own computers or those borrowed from the library. A comfortable seating area also has been added. New display shelves highlight special collections and will rotate by topic.
“For those who don’t have the time, or feel overwhelmed by our larger stacks, this is a browseable area,” said Conway.
The library is located at 494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park. It is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For information, call (847) 432-0216 or visit hplibrary.org.
