Renovated North Suburban Library Celebrated at Open House

By Margaret Downing, REPORTER

There were lots of smiles to go around at the North Suburban Library District’s “Renovation Reveal Open House” held Oct. 15 in Loves Park. In attendance were many library supporters, community leaders and residents. Voters passed a referendum in 2014 to renovate the interior and bring the library facility on North Second St. up to date. New restrooms are now Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. The children’s area on the second floor is a great place for young library users. The use of space throughout the approximate 54,000 square-foot building is now much more efficient and users of the library district can be very proud of the end result. Information supplied by the Library District notes that the library now has Wi-Fi on the main floor and faster internet services to offer patrons. There is a larger auditorium, more windows, a newly placed entryway off the parking lot, more self-checkouts and updated service desks, a new teen and local history area, and very importantly, updated HVAC, electric, plumbing, lighting and roof replacements and repairs!

Ringland Johnson Construction of Cherry Valley did the reconstruction work on the $.4-million dollar project which took place from March of last year through June of this year. Loves Park City Clerk Bob Burden’s grandmother, Carlotta Burden, was a founding member of the North Suburban Women’s Club. Carlotta was a driving force when the Club founded the State of Illinois’ first library district in Loves Park in 1944. The District now encompasses three communities – Loves Park, Machesney Park and Roscoe. Residents of South Beloit also utilize the library district’s facilities.

MARGARET DOWNING, PHOTO – The Herald
Shown at the North Suburban Library District’s “Renovation Reveal” Open House in Loves Park, Oct. 15 from left are: Dennis Eksten, Library District Trustee “for many years and Board President from 1999-2003,” Jane Burden, current Library District Board President, and Mary Petro, Library District Director.

The Burden family has been very supportive of the Library District through the years. Bob was Board President for 10 years and his wife Jane, a former Rockford Library Board Member, has been Board President for the past eight years. Carlotta was a North Suburban Library District Board President for 12 years.

Library Director Mary Petro had many thanks for the support (“and patience”) of residents, library members, staff and volunteers who made the updated library building what it is today. She noted that there are currently plans to enlarge the parking area in the near future at the Roscoe facility off Elevator Road. That library building recently received updated and faster internet, along with Wi-Fi capability. It has been there for 20 years now.