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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 Library ready fvote Oak Brook approves November referendum ident, "it is my personal opi- By Fred Carroll nion that they should look for Press Publications "We still have the best possible site. AT A GLANCE Oak Brook residents can "If the property is already ' vote in the upcoming No- the right as a owned bythe citizens and Pc g Time line vember election on whether board to come administered under your A chronology of actions the village should build a new caretaking or our caretaking, toward a new library library, even though village back in the light it's the citizens'property. ■ Nov 1986—Village trustees themselves are still of new "If it makes sense for the requests space-needs debating its location. citizens of Oak Brook, we as analysis. In a 4-2 vote during their information and elected officials should work ■Jan.1988— Public Tuesday board meeting, trus- make a new to the best possible means." survey conducted. tees approved the wording of O'Brien said a good site •l 3988— Survey an advisory referendum for a decision." would be bordered by Jorie recommends expanded library costing $3.5 million at Boulevard on the east and services. the Sports Core. Garry Ba trustee ■ Nott 1988—Village po Oak Brook trustee Route 83 to the west. lag While all the trustees Such a location would in- hires library consultant„, agreed that there should be a Aug 1992—Village &n dude Central Park but ex- recommends Nov. referendum, they disagreed elude the Sports Core. about the proposed site. talking,”McInerney said. referendum.: Savino favored having sev- rr1995— Trustees Al Savino and If the trustees had not eral questions on the ballot, Advisory report reviews Garry Bartecki voted against passed the referendum, they which would allow voters to the referendum. would have missed the dead- select their preferred site. emendation for Trustees Karen Bushy, Wil- line for getting the issue on ,If you are trying to design Nott 1996 referendum liam Kenny, Gerald Mathe ballot. a referendum for defeat, you ■.May 1996—Village rney and Lexi Payovich fa- McInerney said it was im- should try to put as many op- approves design vored the referendum. Trus- portant to get the referendum tions in there as possible," archdects... tee Mack Shumate, who had on this ballot because about McInerney said. ■.fit 1996-Village raised concerns about the twice as many voters as usual Village Attorney Richard ur> JTlouslyiselects location,was absent. will turn out for the election in Martens advised the trustees Sports Core.: "There is an expectation, a presidential year. to limit the questions to avoid one way or the other," The board was set to ap- voter confusion. McInerney said. "Let's get prove the referendum at the "I think that people possibly this resolved." Aug. 13 Village Board meeting could handle that," Savino Park Commissioner Frank The trustees stressed that if after unanimously agreeing to said. Madda said the village needed a more attractive site be- the Sports Core site in July. Martens also advised the to study the issue further. comes available, they will However, the referendum village to include a specific "I think a referendum would reconsider their options. was tableearlier this month site to avoid future legal dis- be fine, but I think you're go- "We still have the right as a after some trustees believed putes about the referendum. ing to lose support among board to come back in the that the Oak Brook Park Dis- Bartecki said no location some by its premature pre- light of new information and trict's noncommittal response should be included in the ref- sentation,"Madda said. make a new decision," Bar- to placing the library at Cen- erendurn. Bushy then read a time line tecki said. tral Park left the door open to " The question is, 'Do the compiled by the Library Since an advisory referen- other locations. people want to spend $3.5 Commission that said the vil- dum is nonbinding, the board "If the trustees are really million out of the general fund lage has worked on expanding is not restricted by the ballot's intent in creating a central for a library?'" Bartecki said. the library since 1986. wording. area for the citizens of Oak "Yes or no. Then give us the The board attempted to "Nothing we are proposing Brook," said John O'Brien, option to discuss the various bring up a referendum in tonight precludes us from Oak Brook Park District pres- sites." 1992. Vat. 131 OUIS. L'11111011 Founded October 5, 1895 • Oak Brook,Illinois • ©Doings Newspapers,Inc.• Friday,'Sept_6, 1996 •88 Pages • Vol.CI No.98 Library would fit books into natural setting • would work with the site,: ,... ::. ..,._,:,_.. ,,. .,,,, m.:::"""_"..:.,w:m"m:w:..,.."::.:",,::»:" _.H::".:.::»:.:::.:.- ,m By Kate Harrigan something that would be cost- - s Oak Brook Staff Writer effective over time and some- - _ - thing that would be special.He : i said he was excited with the _ Village trustees and interest- results._ € ed residents got their first If the library is constructed - glimpse last week of plans for on the Sports Core property the proposed Oak Brook (and trustees made it clear last "—'"'' "" library. Architect Jay Carow week they remain open to other unveiled preliminary sketches possibilities), Carow said he of two plans he believes would envisions a pavilion in the ' A square take the fullest advantage of a woods, t library a Sports Core location. There are two ways to use Ch�Mi� reN1 buildng It is "a very unique site... a this natural setting,Carow said �__` i7would pro- beautiful site," Carow said, The new library can either pro- �:.,.o. `-•ra , vide a adding that "a unique site vide a contrast to the surround- pp: 4P sharp con- demands a unique solution." ing landscape,or it can mimic q ,� - trast to the - Carow's presentation came at it ,_. ��_ d z amorphous the end of a long Village Board His interpretation of the first 'ate in ' shape of'the meeting Aug. 27 during which approach is a square building. = w- '�� ' natural trustees struggled over the With this kind of building, scenery at wording of the referendum Carow said,he would hope to the Sports question that will appear on the achieve"a play of the amor- _ i- Core. Nov.5 ballot seeking approval phous shape of the landscape ---- of the $3.5 million project. against the very solid geometry becomes locked into the land- room and small rooms for more economical to operate. Library boosters breathed a of the square." scape." quiet study.Both have outdoor If state-of-the-art technology sigh of relief when the question The alternative would be"to Both plans call for all-glass sculpture gardens and measure were used, a double layer of was approved and then settled treat the building in the way buildings and provide views in over 24,000 square feet Carow glass enveloping the library down for the fun part, as that the woods are formed,"the all directions.Both include a said Aug. 29 the second, or would facilitate heating and Carow unveiled some of his architect said.He would "give lounge area with comfortable ` ndulating"plan,would cost -cooling. Warm or cold air ideas. the building...the ins and outs furniture where patrons can sit between 3 and 5 percent more would be piped in from the The architect said he'd been that you get in the natural vege- and read. Both feature a meet- than the square building. floor rather than blown down told to design something that tation, so that the building ing room, a children's story In the second plan,the walls on patrons from above. This flow in and out.There are seat- would eliminate drafts and A faceted " "'"" "`"`" " ing areas where people will lessen noise, Carow said. In building have the feeling they are a part addition,by running mechani- would of nature,Carow said.It has an cal systems under the floor, blend with open entrance that could be builders would leave room for and reflectused for exhibits and public wiring so that computers could the ins and ,b,,C,,, gatherings. be set up almost anywhere. outs of the Library Director Ruth Carow said the newest tech- surround- _ ..,�_ Martin said last week the plans nology would cost more,but ing vegeta- a are identically attractive in would pay for itself over time tion. terms of function.It will be up in the form of reduced operat- ""° \ •°'" ""' to the trustees to decide ing costs. The trustees asked ! between the two alternatives, Carow to come up with some 1 EN� /, „ @ she said. estimates. �, _ This isn't the only decision Carow said the technology I Qthe trustees will have to make. he is.suggesting has been "� �- otr They will also have to decide proven in other buildings,but € �°-' whether they want to take this would be one of the first w-• _ advantage of state-of-the-art libraries to use it. This is an q . -- at ;a.-otechnology to heat and cool the opportunity to do something building.This would cost more special, Carow said. Oak t 13 ,.--- to construct,Carow said, but Brook could build a library 7Y '�i' would result in a more coin- "people would come from fortable building that would be around the world to see." THE - OAK BROOK Press Publications Newspaper - Friday, October 4, 1996 5 l Long overdue ,_ .. Oak Brook residents r ,-,..... .. ,..,„, .f.,., a �: T a abuse sharing system, .*14? ' . r ,,„i"� , • - '� librarydirectors say - _. _:=r — • v. , ' !fit .4-ri El ' • • By Fred Carroll ' ,...•.y,,,, ` i :a. (` -1 t L:.t ___ _y Press Publications "First ��/ ,.. of all, it is _I -� ill While opponents of the p,, F proposed Oak Brook Libraryfree-loading. It OAK BROOK 0 assert that residents can fill- is not in the Ug '"" � -- fill their information needs at —LIBRARY---- t other libraries, neighboring spirit Of the Established 1959 i library directors say Oak reciprocal Brook residents already abuse the system of resource borrowing sharing. arrangement. "First of all, it is free- a - it -r loading," said Jack Hurwitz, Essentially, they - director of the Hinsdale 4 - ' • -,47'..'•!,' '.*;-.:', ',g' Public Library. "It is not in are relying on • the spirit of the reciprocal • A `"« ;t : •" -,•-!..-•...,,,-,,, . ' _ ` tax dollars that �;�.��• �;,�� , -� , .� ,� �. borrowing arrangement. r��.��, ,»�.� . •- "Essentially, they are rely- residents from ems.-;;._ ,... - ----, • r'° :..,; '� ^' ,, "� - ing on tax dollars that resi- other Press Publications file photo dents from other commu- Of the 51,558 items checked out by Oak Brook residents from local libraries, only 32,391 items nities are paying. That is communities are were borrowed from their own library,which is located next to Village Hall. why I call it a sort of wel- fare." paying. That is Lombard. The advisory referendum why I call it a Meanwhile, of the 34,570 AT A,GLANCE for a new $3.5 million Oak items checked out from the Brook Library will appear on sort of welfare." Oak Brook Library this year, here does the election ballot in No- Jack Hurwitz residents borrowed 32,391 vember. Village trustees are Hinsdale Library director items. Llai gook read. not required to follow the That means of the 51,558 ...The number'of lterns Oaic 8rsok residents ctked out will of voters since the li- items checked out this year this year and from where the were borrowed brary will be built without a Oak Brook residents from <::>»:< tax increase. in a community." libraries in the Suburban and >':l :;;•;;:;•.;::rs>�Govs[ : >237:>:<:>::;:>»:>:>:>:»::>r:»::»:<::>:>::>:>::>::>:«:i:>::. ' `Reciprocal borrowing is However according toDuPage library systems, ><iEmh. st ;:m:w: : ; :.:; : :.;: :; ; :; ;;;; :.:. the statewide program that circulation records Oak about 37 percent were items allows cardholders from Brook residents checked out from outside libraries. — :f:>::1 ::>1Nest , most public libraries to 18,690 items between Janu- Elmhurst alone provided >e<;Qt3e54; ara :>l:g1i :.:»:iiii .; z « :< :; . : »::;; : check out items such asary-Se tember 1996 from about 13 percent of the items <»0>> , .1 ;: `'`,.»4::T;>: >< <>? <> a >»>> <':?':>s><m»>>g<;» books, magazines, compact libraries in the Suburban used byOak Brook residents. i»"" discs and movie videos from LibrarySystem, which in- It is disgraceful,"" :'> ar acts � ::+0a Bir `ak::::::::;::: Y ceful said neighboring libraries. eludes libraries in all the Oak Brook Library Director •`he iwtr►berQf�terns dIffererttc....MI pnhles checked Out « communities borderingOak :::this::.ear frOixL:tl:le:;Oak::Brook:Libr ::: Reciprocal borrowing is Ruth Martin. 'We are not an adjunct to libraryser Brook except Villa Park and serving our own people. We <OQW�rret$:Grove>:* 12«s<> >i i::mi > > >>>> < :gmmi < < P �p ::.I:<:Bl,hu vice," said Marilynoris di- Lombard obviously have eo le whose ::11?.>:<:;�:<::<.;:.;1..;::<.;:<;.>;;;;:.;:.;;>;;::;:•;;:.;:.;::::.;:.>:;:::.:::.:::::::.:::.::.;::.;;;•.:::::.: ::::. Yn P P rector of the Elmhurst Pub- Another 477 items throughfirst choice is Downers H!� �::i �::::::::::::::: :.:.:�:•:::::::. :..: ::::::::::: :::: : :::: �, lie Library. It is a supple- June were borrowed from Grove Elmhurst and Hins- $: ,��-.:.�.:�::.:::..:....: ::::::::: .:::.�:::::::•.:•.:::•.:...::::::::•::::.::::::::.::::::: PP ment forin librariesthe L'- dale. '><�„ hQ. •.<;:�Q:::.:.:. ::::;.:: :;• . .:: i;.::<;.•: .;::.:;:.:: ::.::::::::.::::::::::: library service a in DuPage > community. It is not a re- br System,which includes Ido notla az'Y Y b meP atrons placement for library service Oak Brook, Villa Park and ■ LIBRARY,Page 2 2—Section 1 Press Publications Friday,October 4,1996 06 NE • LIBRARY the residents of Downers aom Pwe t _. rrj f'yougo rove,"Bowen said."If push for going where they can get comes to shove,and we feel the\,,borrowing is being service,thereciprocalbut this Is abuse of outside(Oak .'' abused,,we will limit their ac- agreement, andborrowing Brook]to eat or cess.We.do watch very care- and it Is the h• to see.how we are beim brary s responsibility to better • shop,you pay for fully by other.Iibraries.' g serve our patrons. Westmont it When Oak. Hinsdale The main complaint from Brook citizens Hinsdale residents checked neighboring libraries though out 32 items from the Oak is not the total number of come here,it is a Brook Library this year while items borrowed,but the dis- free lunch Oak Brook residents borrowed parity between what Oak 2,451 items from the Hinsdale Brook residents borrow from because Elmhurst Library. them compared they Because residents from borrow from Oak Brooktowhat residents • Western Springs, Clarendon "We do not mind sharing, pay for it." Hills,Indian Prairie and Oak but that sharing is predicated Brook were borrowing ex- on that other library having Marilyn Berta cessively from Hinsdale, h- Elmhurst library director brary trustees in 1993 re- ' something to share," said Charlene Sanders,director of stricted the number of items the Westmont Public Library. nonresidents could check out Oak Brook residents street,"Boria said."Recipro- from the library. checked out 2,609 items this cal borrowing is meant to be a It is the principal of serv- year from Westmont, but two-way street,but very few ing your are thew ones pay be for becausele Westmont residents borrowed people from Elmhurst go to throughytaxes;'Hurwitzpaying for it 166 items from Oak Brook. the Oak Brook Library. Since then,Western Springs D The fact that you caa use owners Grove and Indian Prairie have built other taxpayers'libraries is no own,"for not supportingWhen Christopher Bowen new libraries after passing yourbecame the library director of referendums to increase their • your Sanders said • the Downers Grove Library property taxes. Elmhurst about 12 years ago, he said "We are very pleased that While Oak Brook residents that for every item checked the two libraries, Western checked out 6,900 items out by a Downers Grove Springs and Clarendon Hills, through September from the resident, six were borrowed did do something," Hurwitz Elmhurst Library, Elmhurst by nonresidents. said,"and Oak Brook is work- residents borrowed only 168 Since then,new libraries in ing on it,because it is in the items from Oak Brook's li- Woodridge,Indian Prairie and spirit of resource sharing." brary. Hinsdale have decreased Hinsdale levied a tax in- "It n-It is the responsibility of nonresident use, leaving crease to build its library, each community to provide a Downers Grove with a healthy which opened in 1989.West- library that meets the needs balance of resident and non- mont opened a new library in of its residents," Boria said. resident use in most cases. 1993.Bowen said a Downers "It is not Elmhurst's respon- However,while Oak Brook Grove property tax increase ' sibility to provide for the residents checked out 6,217 will fund construction sched- residents of Oak Brook." items from Downers Grove tiled for 1997 that will expand Elmhurst Library loaned a this year, Downers Grove the library from 38,000 square total of 68,287 items to 122 residents borrowed only 12 feet to 69,000 square feet. other communities,with most, items from Oak Brook. "Given the fact that there a total of 8,495 items, bor• "It is really the difference are no property tax increases rowed by Villa Park residents. that concerns us," Bowen on Oak Brook residents,it is However,Villa Park passed a said. "That is really a high astounding to me [the refer- referendum In November 1995 imbalance, but it is a small endumi is so controversial," that will generate an extra part of our circulation." Hurwitz said. $300,000 per year to remodel The few thousand items Elmhurst residents are the library and enhance its checked out by Oak Brook taxed about $2.5 million per collection. residents are a minor concern year for their library. Boris predicted that Villa because the Downers Grove Referring to comments , Park residents' use of the Library circulates about 80,000 made by referendum oppo- Elmhurst Library will.de- items each month,but Bowen nests during a town meeting crease as improvements are noted that most other com- Sept. 19 that implied hidden made at their own library. munities that use the library tax costs,Boria said:"If you Northiake residents, who have attempted to improve go outside[Oak Brook]to eat were the third-highest bor- their own libraries within re- or shop,you pay for it.When rowers from Elmhurst, cent years. Oak Brook citizens come here, checked out 5,200 items. "The fact is the Downers it is a free lunch bemuse "It Is basically a one-way Grove Library is supported by Elmhurst residents pay for it." Reprinted with permission from Press Publications The Oak Brook Press, Oct. 4, 1996 — , ., . . • 11 '- - — •• _ — — -"...•– ....... 0 • i ! 1 itiWy, o __,ill ill tior-7 III* rill IN re a ro-1,... wricoipudis - ...4 „:1•0.-_10.-- v. . 0_ .0,..1,,, , . r li: / ,4...• -1 . 11 . k ii / ... /7 • ...... , . . .01,. ...... .._._. ..- A. ,. v., ' . 47,,,, •;. ,....$.-.1 , . •II.,-5...1:::::'.1:1•‘:'.. • . .. / . 144,....::: .•••• :•,;'. ...*- .. • . . "t1Q1N.NT\ON ..1,. \/-1 • .. . . (13)15V 5M 5)11-1 .. , .. . Azsue48n.51-11. i‘liAott4 , . ... .., 01. •:1N( *?' _L3c) 0.1. / .,-. i • ,K,. ..-1 ,.,-.--..., ,--. N111%A''AV5 .. nu/ //f/047,.e. 1. .'re•d i* e pelk,-;-;rf...%,,•=s417i:!::., ' - ;71±g'-r-t=arIA ,cl i ,6";fetirfl i .- ' f.%:::•1•'..::::,::•.-1.",--"*.-:,... •-• -:--, ,, ....45;11P t>,:::.$,•:7;::;,:,i.,:.;:;,lig;t:':::::". :•.:7;--.. :4;t: ;2•7; :-.:::.:::-..,•-:::.--•...'''.-."--:- : :-.\. Oak Brook Press 10/16/96 p. 8 • Oak Brook library With no extra,money needed from taxpayers and a proven need for expansion, we see the village of. Oak Brook's proposal to build a new library, a win-win situation. Clearly, the village has spent enough time studying the issues — at least 10 years = and done its homework;on the location and design The Doings 10/23/96 p. 21. of the building. . Another factor arguing toward a favorable vote is that Oak Brook residents are guilty of Oak Brook Library advisory referendum overusing other-town's facilities, when they can We urge Oak Brook residents to vote YES on the well afford a library of their own. advisory referendum for a new public library. Thus, to the question of whether the village of. It's unfair for Oak Brook residents to simply rely Oak Brook should use $3.5 million in corporate on neighboring libraries while allowing their own funds to construct a new library at the Sports structure and collection to dwindle. Without a new Core, we say "Yes." building,the village would be forced to spend up to • - $1 million to make the existing building accessible to people with disabilities. And while some opponents have argued a new library will mean large increases in operating costs, village projections show only an additional $90,000 a year once.the library is fully staffed in the year Daily Herald 10/31/96 p.16 `y, 2001. • The village has funds on hand for construction and officials are confident sales tax revenue will ,Tune for a new chapter in Oak Brook grow and continue to support the building's operat- ing costs in the future. Oak Brook residents will face an advisory ballot question We encourage residents to support the village's Tuesday asking whether they want the village to spend wise plan to improve its library, and as a result,the about$3.5 million for a new library. community as a whole. Village officials have the money in hand in the general fund and are not required to go before the voters. The decision to do so is based on Village President Karen Bushy's commitment that she would take the case to the voters if and when the time came for a new library. That the time has arrived should be apparent to anyone who has used the existing library,a tiny enterprise crammed into 5,000 square feet of a building that is not accessible to people with disabilities. Village officials propose moving just a little ways east on Suburban Life 10/30/96 p.6 31st Street and building a new library of 22,000 square feet library on the Sports Core property,which the village already owns. Because the need is obvious, the site is VOt _.!�_.d o 1 r al� appropriate, and because this can be done with no tax increase, the Daily Herald recommends a YES vote. Oak Brook is a top-class munic- advisory referendum asking if ipality and as such should offer $3.5 million in general fund its residents a reasonable library. money should be used to build a The current library does not fit library at the village's Sports the community's needs. It's too Core property on the north side small, needs work to make it of 31st Street just west of York handicapped accessible and is Road. just plain not the type of facility Building on to the current residents should expect from Oak library is an option but not the Brook. best solution. A new library, at a different And to those who say residents location, would he a welcome can just go use another munici- addition to the village. pality's facility, we say taxpayers • Voters will get the chance to in Elmhurst and Hinsdale should say just that in the Tuesday, Nov. not be burdened with providing 5, election. That's when we think library services for residents of voters should say YES in the Oak Brook. 'Section One,Page 6 The Suburban LIFE, Wednesday, October 30, 1996 E -,.., LIFE F ... , . .. . ,... ..... , ‘,. , , . , . f..!a 3 °4.saeV�'y iid@life.mhs.compuserve.com William Conkis, executive editor, (630)3E X t sE 4. h3x �KSI � ''' n ."..0 v�isr e ',1Z,',;;7742!,z,„,i, '4eaw.•�, vljA^ '' � § �3* .:a,:'z b;' cwrh �, n :a '1� '� it %u �Opnoy, -:,.;,-z.3 447:'''2111::' . t} :4' a . �t, ,. , at - 4 *s,3 + s , , .i 33 •, .. * r "' � t 3\ fie - -. i -_ , „,,„ ,,,.--, -- ---___.....- , Should the Bf, 1 wails t.t mi ,, , ,, ligk's, 5 4-1 -, ,• wrvE vial h%'. i D ' u VCnER APRT •• ps . k, ,,, 4.y. -s4F..,..,:-....., \. lzhAji. .-- .,.. f !., ,, ' 7? '.,1"6,.% st 15. ` it ,fit:. °; .J`, ` ,iffitls,. 4,4\ , -,..• A'A - ' , , ii V* i• a, '-'f-11-,COrith Ai " a� `.�,y��s; , Jay Sabatmo Donna Gorr • .'• 4 A ��k t Westmont. Westmont. ir. .* i ��.� -• I'd give (Bears Keephim. f f �-�` ••e t /Ir ••��+� coach Dave • has a lot of /. �,•I i' 1� k Wannstedt) another He doesn't c °� !'':k �J ,�- - 'ice • '� year, maybe two. make the po This isn't a good decision, bu \b.:4, r year to judge him, does make t , in light of all the decision bas Vote YES ®n library• injuries the team. what's besthas had. team. Oak Brook is a top-class munic- advisory referendum asking if t ; ; ` ; . ipality and as such should offer $3.5 million in ,general fund L 1 .. . . �._ .: -. �, �'', -, its residents a reasonable library. money should be used to build a ` The current library does not fit library at the village's Sports yi the community's needs. It's too Core property on the north side Vote small, needs work to make it of 31st Street just west of York handicapped accessible and is Road. ' Ourfamilymoved to Hinsdale ii just plain not the type of facility Building on to the current tion and because the school repor residents should expect from Oak library is,an option but not:the parable to those of the Wilmette sc Brook. best solution We have had wonderful experienc A new library, at a different And to those who say residents with nurturing and challenging p location, would be a welcome can just go use another munici- cated to really reaching our daugl: addition to the village. pality's facility, we say taxpayers Our youngest, a seventh-grade Voters will get the chance to in Elmhurst and Hinsdale should from a new school. She is, howeN say just that in the Tuesday, Nov. not,be burdened with providing the overcrowding that inhibits 5, election. That's when we think library services for residents of activities and creates tensions and voters should say YES in the Oak Brook. Based on current"elementary — Librarydecision nears - Ess- 11 I \ • , Oak Brook residents u � to cast votes Nov. 5 ,° By Fred Carroll •d WSt f { 1"`"` Press Publications ELECTION In presidential election 'f� -'• .. years,disaffected voters of- I, s `-- ten complain that their votes 1 ; Imo„- " o ':..1 e,are insignificant in the wake of then lions of ballots cast j th - by other citizens. ' t n However, in this election ,�� ",r, 1 .,tq'ds a `" season of Dole versus C6n- "' r: ' fi '%^ s �t ton,Oak Brook residents not 1. ¢ n g J only will see their votes di- rectl1.y impact the outcome of �" t , the advisory referendum for a new library,but they also designs as show a the proposed w .tt will vote on an Issue that is foot curvilinear buildin with �• literally in their back yards. a facade made up largely of `" * With only three more days glass. until balloting on Nov. 5, Village officials decided to '" ' Lulls Adkins/Proia Put01.11°ns residents have little time left proceed with the referendum to decide if they will support after determining it was un- The storage area In the basement of the Oak Brook Librarywhere books are kept before being sold building a new library by feasible to expand and ren- at book fairs.Village officials say the library lacks adequate storage space. voting"yes"or reject it by ovate the library,as well as voting"no" up to about *412,000 this n `.. meet wheelchair-accessible - } �t ,� 1 • The nonbinding referee- requirements, at a cost of y�r• ^"'� {kM[l� duan question asks residents $700,000-$l million. By 2001,library expenses ,t . S,'t + :,a r - FL • if they want to build a$3.5 to the village will increase , 't-- million library at the Sports Ellen after such remted 4 , i, Core near Oak Brook Road. cling, village officials noted from about 4 percent of the �s" ^'�y j + ' that the present library still general corporate fund this $, t 44i4 t.i- t "I keep my fingers cros• would not meet parking, year to about 6 percent in ` i 1 f" t j t sed,but I think it really looks storage and future expansion 2001. 'i'',, �. 1�' good,"said Roberta Pets,a needs. Besides higher expenses, * _ r ° I - -31 library commissioner and - The cramped, outdated critics said the village will r L / Oak Brook Library Associ- building cannot meet the still have to make the pre- *f .. 11f i 1 F _ ation member. space demands for a growing sent library wheelchair- 1 ,'t t "I think we have Informed collection of books, mag- accessible since it is public v 1 1., everyone.I am glad it Is a mines, compact discs and property. _ Y t� # + i r= presidential election because movies.It also does not offer However, village officials 4 „ t ra' r that should only increase our the electric wiring and said that public access to the , '*,A. percentage. I hope every hookups needed for corn- building will not be allowed. r r 8 "0 Oak Brook resident eligible puters and Internet access. They plan to use it for stor- 'i': 'moi!t! t " I to vote will exercise their "The inadequacies of our age to avoid the wheelchair- ,, 11 right" library have been explained accessible requirements. a *��� i 5 The referendum Is advis- and are obvious,"Pets said. ft ory because no new taxes "It is time for the village to While opponents say resi• �4j€ tI A ' will be levied to build the grow up and have its own dents can continue to borrow library.Instead,accumulated library instead of sponging books from neighboring r, � > i monies generated primarily. off its neighbors." communities, library Grove, " P'�'-��. from sales tax revenue will Referendum opponents tors in Downers. t ry t� fr- ,_ be used to pay construction say the new library will dup- Elmhurst, Hinsdale and '_, costs. licate meeting room and so- Westmont said Oak Brook ,. i'1/2';-*'—' i a Even though they are not cial activity areas already resident already abuse the �,, ri �FY'-I required tofoilowthe dictate provided by the village and reciprocal borrowing ;., of voters since no taxes areagreement that allows rest the Park District. � being levied,village trustees Critics also contend that dents to borrow books at ? t �, w said they will heed the elec- future expenses ata larger other libraries. �1 t € tion results. library coupled with its$3.5 According to circulation ,, �} "1 am looking forward to million price tag will place records,Oak Brook residents ' 1. the election," said Library the village on shaky financial checked out 32,391 items I *q 1 '�� ' Director Ruth Martin."I am grounds. from their library this year- gqp 4u•e:� � i hopeful.The village certainly According to the village's through September while e•;* needs this.Even people op- five-year financial plan,star- also checking out 19,167 . posed to this admit there is a ling and supply costs at the items from neighboring lib- , need for work at the library." new librarywill tally about raries• . X '„�: The present library,which $090,000 in 2001.Projections Thus,about 37 percent of ir, aakmemr,,,Pumic.ro"r was the original Butler for the present library es- the items borrowed by Oak Library Director Ruth Martin reaches toward the eighth and top School,is a 5,000-square-foot timate staffing costs of about Brook residents were shelf earlier this month at the Oak Brook Library.If the referendum building built in 1921. $900,000 in 2001. checked out at neighboring does not pass,the shelves will have to be lowered to meet Preliminary architectural Staffing expenses will- add libraries. federally mandated handicapped-accessible guidelines. Doings Newspapers,Inc.• Friday,November 8,1996 1 Book lovers- AK BROOK • .f.,;, �I .� win the day in Oak Brook BOOK Continued from Page 3 believe that if any Park District land Madda said."I don't hold my wil would be available,it would be where above the will of the people." By Kate Harrigan the Park District Shelter now stands. Oak Brook resident Constantine Oak Brook Sze Writer Bushy said that location is too far back Xinos said Thursday he wasn'" in the woods to serve as a library and opposed to a village library,but that he r is too far away-from the recreation strongly opposed a new facility.Ii With a vote of 2,166-2,005,Oak Brook voters center to serve as a village center.In would be preferable to expand the Tuesday affirmed an advisory referendum approving addition,Bushy said,the village would existing building,he said. construction of a$3.5 million library on the village's probably have to pay to demolish the "Unfortunately,this village is run b) Sports Core property.Proponents of the new facility shelter. people who think the answer to every hope that with the passage of the referendum,the Park District Commissioner Frank problem is throwing money at it,and I Village Board will vote at its Tuesday,Nov. 12, Madda said Wednesday he doesn't don't think that is the the case,"Xinos think it likely a Park District location said."Those who voted for it will D will become available. change their position when the village "I find it rather doubtful,"he said. again attempts to impose a village "There hasn't been a great deal of sup- property tax to pay for their mistakes." ;.' - , port among the district commissioners But proponents say the village can .r for that,"Madda said afford the new facility and will reap :;ate ,,. • ,,-:•-,,,:;;;;;,,,,,,:rBushy told The Doings Thursday the rewards from it Trustee Gerald Village Board should proceed with McInerney said Thursday that like 9 6 existing plans.She also said she was Bushy,he was pleased with the voters' delighted by the election results and decision. meeting to move ahead with the project particularly pleased so many people "I think it'll be a long-term,signifi- "We have reached a point where we can expect turned out at the polls.The board will cant benefit to the village,"McInerney that there will be a new library,"Oak Brook Library vote Tuesday whether to authorize the said Trustees will have to look care- Association President Lucia Sutton said Wednesday. architect to begin work on construction fully at some questions that have be "I'm pleased(the vote)came out to our advantage." drawings,she said. raised in recent months regarding cost- Sutton said she hopes library supporters will turn This week,while library proponents effectiveness and planning for a rapid- out at the Village Board meeting to encourage were looking forward to proceeding ly changing future,he added.Planners trustees to proceed with construction. with the project,opponents voiced will have to make sure the structure of To date,discussions have been hampered by recur- concerns the new facility will end up the building does not end up determin- ring suggestions that a better site might be found i costing residents more than they real- ing the kinds of technology that can be Trustee Mack Shumate Jr.,in particular,has stated ize. used in it.That consideration was repeatedly that he would like to build the new "I felt it would become an unneces- taken into account when the architect library on Park District property near the new sary tax burden,but the people of Oak was hired and the basic design select- Recreation Center.There,he said,the two buildings Brook voted for it and that's fine," ed,he added could serve as the nucleus of the sort of village cen- ter many in Oak Brook hunger for. ' But although Shumate has held out high hopes for the Park District site based on encouraging conver- sations he has had with Park Board President John O'Brien,other trustees and park commissioners have said a district site is unlikely. Village President Karen Bushy told trustees Sept. 24 that she had written to O'Brien earlier that month and requested a meeting at which potential sites could be discussed.As of Thursday,Bushy said,she hadn't received an answer. Bushy told the board in October that previous con- versations she had had with O'Brien led her to Please turn to BOOK on Page 14 • 9 � ; fermi = N 'i o 4B resident�° v a .. RS 6, �5� � a 3 ai, � = o ET' E •E _ .tg' g reco nized for a.a y NN .,. . „2, . 2 cn ° E t czw c) w_ al A ° � ^A o ° o , ° al good workso � E � � w8•ovG V a o a� .s EaE � >, 0.0� 0 By Kate Harrigan ° o. a a°o ,,a Oak Brook Staff Writer g y o.ti a) .� w E ti N 3 N - . o � o =.oaE � uo � u) When Oak Brook trustees voted Nov. 12 not to 13 >,0 4,-= ° '515 proceed with construction of a new library, a voice , 4 i in 'E' ,1 ? • •o called out from the audience asking whether she Q Ob.,- E a•v+ g c,, could move to impeach the entire board. cn No one was impeached, but the o N .c c point was made. The suggestion ° c c4 ,6 C O came from Library Commission call o 4, . H 4 Secretary Barbara Benezra, who m �;.c .E ow a t ., after 10 years fighting for a new O E m 3 0 library, wasn't willing to see the •E c6 03 - e) CI m project die. Later that evening, ' 1-. 0 ;o = .0 i spurred on by Benezra and many I 0 >..' x other library supporters, the board o = o 4 ° O f voted to '� °' „ o x proceed with the project m o o y The passion Benezra brings to o a', •E c y Benezra the library battle is matched by the •� r a fervor with which she tackles all c E o 3 ,3 U her community work. ilia = . "As I become involved in a project, it predomi- ; w•o•o ° o 0 nates my life,"Benezra said Tuesday. E� 4 c', = al E That dedication was recognized Nov. 12 when a °o 0 cd ": „cd PrimeCo Personal Communications gave Benezra °' G, o >, their Building.a Prime World award. In an award let- a •, ,;'E 0 o v w •d o ter, the company wrote that she had been selected as A .,, a+ .y w someone who "dedicates a vast amount of time to volunteer work and enhances the quality of life for c ; '_g o .ti r the people around them." �? ., u m •.0 ' 3 CBS's Bill Kurtis was at Navy Pier to recognize ,) ,=: ',4- _aoi �; en •v Benezra and the other recipients. But Benezra o ° 3 3 ,CZ Q °' •n wasn't there to receive it. Instead, she was at the ..Ne c, 0 ° Village Hall, demanding her elected officials listen , o o a° 3•� to the will of the majority. A referendum passed O ' 3 �? o authorizing trustees to build a new facility, and 3 a o at 4 a Benezra wanted them to get on with it. -. 0 - ._ > ,,,, 0 - -=. , v Roberta Petz, who also sits on the village's 0 ��'•i c) o - 3 w Library Commission, said Monday the company E.,� a o 0 .E = °a b c making the award was disappointed Benezra E Q U a 3.c 3 couldn't make it to the ceremony, but added it's that Z o "4:i >, >' `° � `' i^ kind of dedication that won her the award in the first [�] ' : VrrnE3 � place. ^^ a•^ E. .o c, 3 0 5 "She sacrifices her personal life to volunteer for A = ^ . E 0•V o •_, the good of the community," Petz said. "The list of Fo ,v c V o U •. .� A what she does is several pages long." C o as E�. o ¢ ° `" Much of the time that isn't dedicated to the W cq,[ 'g co >r,,°'„ b 2 0 Library Commission is spent working with the The ^/ 'ct:a c cz a a b c czt 0 h4 0 c, OA .^ egw W Please turn to RESIDENT on Page 10 -