Glencoe Public Library has unveiled plans for a major renovation designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) that reimagines the historic 320 Park Avenue building as a more open, inclusive, and flexible community hub. The $17 million proposal—developed in partnership with library leadership and Glencoe residents—was presented to the public during an October 19 community meeting and is expected to move toward a bond referendum vote later this year.

The 20,500-square-foot library, originally constructed in 1941 and last renovated in 2001, would gain approximately 4,000 square feet of new space under SOM’s plan. The design envisions a light-filled interior with expanded children’s and group study areas, a large multipurpose program room, refreshed collection spaces, and improved accessibility throughout—including a new central elevator and upgraded mechanical systems.

“Today libraries are more in demand than ever because they’re the one place in the community that is free, welcoming, and accessible to all,” said Partner and Glencoe resident Adam Semel. “We’re keeping everything people love about the library but introducing more daylight, openness, and flexibility for the future.”

The proposed renovation also improves connections to Wyman Green, the public park adjoining the library and Village Hall, with new windows and direct access that invite greater interaction between the library and its surrounding landscape.

The project aligns with the library’s five-year strategic plan, adopted in 2023, which identifies facility modernization as a key goal. Construction could begin as early as 2026, pending community approval and the outcome of an ongoing capital campaign.