Glenview Public Library is beginning a series of space improvement projects this fall designed to better serve the community and enhance the Library experience for all patrons. The projects include the addition of a new lobby vending café, a redesigned kids play space in the Youth Services Department, and new study rooms on the second floor. Work will begin Tuesday, September 16, and is expected to continue through early 2026.
Following a space needs assessment in 2023 and a community survey in 2024, the Library identified key building enhancements to meet the evolving needs of Glenview residents. Earlier this year, the Library engaged Studio GC Architects to develop plans for the improvements, which were approved by the Board of Trustees in July 2025. The work will take place in three phases.
A More Inviting Lobby
With more than 325,000 annual visitors, the Library has seen a growing demand for spaces to work, meet, and relax. To create a more welcoming environment, the lobby will feature a vending café offering hot and cold coffee drinks, upgraded vending machines with fresh food options, and expanded soft seating. This phase begins in September.
A Play Space Designed for Learning
Children’s services remain one of the Library’s most in-demand offerings: kids’ books account for 66% of all checkouts, and children’s program attendance surpasses every other age group. Since the children’s area was designed 15 years ago, new research has underscored the vital role of play in cognitive development. The redesigned play space, launching in December, will combine the magic of books with the power of play, fostering imagination, learning, and discovery.
Expanded Study Room Options
Study rooms are among the Library’s busiest spaces, with more than 800 reservations each month. To better meet this demand, seven new study rooms for one to two people will be added on the second floor in early 2026. These new spaces will make it easier for both individuals and small groups to find the right environment for focused work or collaboration.
"These improvements reflect what our community has told us they value most,” said Lindsey Dorfman, Executive Library Director. “From more comfortable spaces for gathering and study to a play area that encourages learning through exploration and discovery, the Library continues to evolve with the community to remain a dynamic, welcoming place where everyone can learn and connect.”
The total cost of the project is approximately $1,756,000. Funding comes from special reserves designated for capital repairs and improvements, the Glenview Public Library Foundation’s capital campaign, and a grant from the Illinois Public Library Construction Grant Program.
Throughout the project, patrons may experience occasional disruptions, including periodic closures of the east side of the lobby and the Youth Services Department. The Library will share space improvement project updates on its website.