Mount Prospect ,
Illinois
NW Suburb of Chicago
Population: 56,000

Mount Prospect
Public Library
Architect: Meyer, Scherer &
Rockcastle, Ltd.
Contractor: The Meyne
Company, a Division of Bulley
and Andrews, LLC
Owner Representative:
Owner Services Group
Space Plan: Library Planning
Associates, Inc.

Expense Category Budget Pct.
Bond / Finance Costs $ 286,000 1.3%
Professional Service Costs 3,878,000 18.1%
Building & Site-Related Costs 13,375,000 64.0%
Fixtures/Furnishings/Equipment (FF&E) 2,190,000 10.2%
Contingency 1,361,000 6.3%
TOTAL $ 21,450,000 100%
Project cost

Cost savings Non-monetary benefits
1976 building designed for Center of village
future expansion Anchor for a revitalized
Saved 30% construction downtown business area
cost versus new
Close proximity to other
Eliminated costly site
studies municipal buildings
Eliminated need to Pedestrian friendly
purchase land Easy walking and biking
Found temporary location Shared parking with Village
requiring minimal upgrade Hall
Kept space plan current by
updating every few years
Staying at same location and
re-inventing building
re-

Then Now
50,000 square feet 101,000 square feet
Dark brown interior No dark interior brick
brick Painted walls
Dark almost black floor Mix of flooring
tile types/colors
Long dark entry Large windows and
Narrow windows natural light
Heavy oak paneling Interior is bright and
Orange carpet reflects light
Technology “unfriendly” Larger openings/doors
Technology flexible
1976 and 2004

1976 and 2004 - Meeting Room

1976 and 2004 - Entry

CONSTRAINTS:
Could not afford the third floor schemes
Could not afford to move the entry to face
Village Hall
DECISION:
Maintain the same building “footprint”
Keep essentially the same travel patterns
and layout

1976 and 2004
Entry Design

1976 and 2004
Entry Design

Light box

Etched glass wall

Upper lobby area

Stairwell to second floor

Windows
Natural Light

Ceilings
Visual Interest

Add picture Ceilings -
•Added height on the second
floor
•Barrel lighting (alternate in
construction bid)
•Result – dramatic change and
a very different feel than the
first floor

Teen Zone
“Our” Space

Teen Zone

Faux stone
Eucalyptus wood contrasted with makore
(color similar to mahogany)
Textured carpet on second floor
Colorful carpet in Youth Services
Terrazzo and cork flooring
Lighting - brightly lit service desks
Using color and texture

Jewel Box – 1st floor Light Box – 2nd floor
Strong rich colors Muted colors
Green, blue, purple Texture based
Fun Higher finishes
Energy Calming
Using color and texture

Youth Department

Brightly
illuminated
desk draws
patrons to the
service area.
Carpet colors,
light boxes and
painted walls.
Youth Services desk

Family Place / Early Literacy

Preschool area

“The Portholes”

Youth color
boxes provide
interest and
fun to the
room.
Youth Color Box

Monty the Duck

Fondly called “the caterpillar”

Perimeter
study areas

Adult Business Grade School

Delayed purchasing
art
Delayed putting in a
snack/drink area
Installed infrastructure
for fiber optic and
WIFI but didn’t
implement until a few
years later
Other cost savings

Plan now, save later.
You can re-invent an
outdated building if
the structure is sound
for renovation and
expansion
Tight design of the
work and public
space.
Use - mix of color,
texture, materials
In conclusion

Marilyn Genther, Executive Director
Cathy Deane, Deputy Director Public Service
Tom Garvin, Head of Building Services
Tim Loga, Head of Computer Services
(847) 253-5675
Contacts at MPPL

Thank you