Glencoe library books voter support of building expansion, renovation

Glencoe voters spoke volumes Tuesday night, authoring a resounding show of support that will help fund the next era of a beloved local institution. 

An advisory referendum out of Glencoe that asked voters to weigh in on the issuance of more than $17 million worth of bonds for a large-scale library renovation and expansion passed with flying colors during the March 17 primary election, according to unofficial results from Cook County. 

With all six of Glencoe precincts reporting results, 1,168 voters, or approximately 66.4%, backed the proposed bond issuance, per county data. 

As of publication time, election results show that 590 residents, just over 33.5% of the 1,820 ballots cast, voted against the referendum. More than 25 percent of registered voters in Glencoe cast a decision on the matter. 

“Though the results aren’t certified, we’re still pausing to enjoy the moment — one that many individuals worked hard for us to arrive at,” said Andrew Kim, executive director of the Glencoe Public Library. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but the goal of revitalizing our beloved library is closer to being accomplished. I want to thank our community for such a strong turnout.”  

Roger Parfitt, president of the Glencoe Library Board of Trustees, shared similar sentiments, sending his “heartfelt thanks” to all who have worked on the project. 

“One thing we have learned from our outreach to the community was that Glencoe really loves our library,” Parfitt told The Record. “The board recognizes this passion and feels very responsible for delivering an even greater library to our fellow residents — one that retains the much beloved portions of the existing building while delivering significantly improved spaces that provide our village greater opportunities to meet, to learn and to grow.”

As previously reported by The Record, the Glencoe Public Library is planning to expand its existing building southward on the east and west sides with a project that aims to create more versatile spaces, improve accessibility and add sustainable and safe systems to the facility.

The expansion would take the building from 22,150 square feet to just over 26,000. Officials say in plan documents that the tallest of the three proposed expansion areas is proposed to be the same height as the current building.

One of the central aspects of the plan is a 1,840-square-foot addition to the southwest side of the building that will serve as a “state-of-the-art Glencoe program and community room” and will hold up to 150 people, The Record previously reported.

A 1,000-square-foot addition is also proposed for the top floor of the library. That space will be primarily for children’s services but could also be used as a “flex space.” And the library’s existing collections area would be reconfigured with a 1,000-square-foot addition.

Library officials late last year estimated the total cost of the project would be $20 million, which includes architectural and engineering services, construction, fixtures and furnishings, and contingencies. That number is an increase of about $3 million from when plans for the project were first brought to Glencoe’s Village Board.

Kim told Glencoe trustees in October of 2025 that the Library Board earlier that year launched a capital fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $2.5 million toward the renovation. As of January of this year, according to library officials, $1.9 million has been raised. 

Due to the way the Glencoe Public Library is classified under state legislation, the library cannot levy its own property taxes. Upon request from the Library Board, the Village of Glencoe may levy taxes on behalf of the library, previous Record reporting detailed. 

Because of this, for library projects that require a bond issue, the village is ultimately responsible; though a binding referendum is no longer required in Glencoe given the village’s recently approved home-rule status. 

Village leaders, however, repeatedly stated that they wanted the community’s input on the project and would not move the project forward without community approval first. 

Library leaders will next await formal certification of Tuesday’s election results and confirmation of the bond issue from Glencoe trustees, Parfitt told The Record. 

The detailed design phase of the project will then begin in earnest, Parfitt added, noting that project planners expect to work until the end of this year creating the documents necessary to commence construction. 

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. 

According to Parfitt, library leaders expect the current building on Park Avenue — which was built in 1941 — will close during construction, but officials “plan on offering all of the library’s services in various locations within Glencoe.”

“We look forward to welcoming the entire Glencoe community into a renovated, rejuvenated Glencoe Public library at the end of 2028,” Parfitt said. 

Parfitt also thanked the Capital Campaign Committee, the Friends of the Glencoe Library and the design team at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which includes project architect and Glencoe resident Adam Semel, for their efforts.

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