Deerfield Library Officials: Temporary Move Delayed Until May, 2012

Deerfield Public Library trustees have narrowed their search for temporary library space down to two choices in south Deerfield when construction gets underway next spring on a $12 million library improvement program authorized by voters last November.

The Library Board received an update from Jerry Aulisio, the project’s construction manager, Wednesday night that the choice has been narrowed to two locations. Both are sites along Lake-Cook Road.

Original plans called for the temporary move to take place in March, 2012.

However, Aulisio said that now it likely will not happen until May of next year. He also said the 60-day delay should not be significant in finishing the final project before the end of 2013.

Library Needs About 20,000 Square Feet of Temporary Space

The Library is seeking about 20,000 square feet of space to accommodate limited library services for approximately 12 months, while construction workers renovate and expand the 40-year-old library facility at 920 Waukegan Road. Work there is expected to begin in earnest by late next spring.

Currently, the board anticipates spending as much as $1.75 million in temporary relocation costs to keep library services open to the public.

Expenses will not only include the cost of leasing space, but relocating much of the library’s book and audio-visual collection to the site, transferring computer services, and moving office furniture and equipment. A moving company is currently being sought, trustees said.

In other action, the board also approved library goals and a revised re-organization of staff for 2012. Library Director Mary Pergander said the goal is to make the staff of 55 employees more patron oriented. The plan also calls for improvements in technology services and expansion of the popular e-books collection.