Harvey Public Library
Project Description
The Harvey Public Library District has been serving the suburban Chicago community of Harvey, Illinois for more than 115 years. When the time came to evaluate a new home for their library, they turned to Moody Nolan to provide site selection, programming and design services. Moody Nolan developed a series of vignettes for three sites under consideration – one of which involved the renovation and expansion of the current library. Due to the current location’s centrality within the community, the library chose to renovate and expand the facility.
Project Stats
Location
Harvey, IL
Year Completed
2016
Square Footage
22,500
Project Gallery
Design Features
The design for the renovation and expansion allows for an open and inviting main library space with a corridor separating the main reading room activities from community spaces. The program features a community multipurpose space to accommodate up to 150 people, small community meeting spaces, an integrated circulation/staff area and a multimedia room. Core library functions include a study/homework area, age-segregated reading rooms, computer lab and mother/infant study area.
The main entry is reoriented toward the west to create a more prominent “front door” and engage passersby in the community. A new panelized skin wraps the entire building – even those parts on the original building that remain – to modernize the look and feel of the library.