JEFFERSON PARK — Jefferson Park residents voted to upgrade their public library last year, and now some of the planned changes will be laid out at a meeting next week.

Residents interested in hearing about the upcoming changes can attend a 6 p.m. meeting Jan. 10 at the library’s community room, 5363 W. Lawrence Ave.



During the meeting, representatives from the Chicago Public Library and the city’s Fleet and Facility Management Department will share a timeline for infrastructure improvements and planned closures at the building as well as new programming at the library.



Residents who voted in the 45th Ward participatory budget in 2018 said they were in favor of having $175,000 of the alderman’s $1 million discretionary fund set aside for improvements to the Jefferson Park library. The cost of the improvements are also being funded by $1.5 million in funds from the Jefferson Park TIF, according to Ald. John Arena’s 45th Ward office.



The first phase of construction began in May 2018 and focused on exterior improvements to the building. Other improvements planned include updates to the electrical system, new carpeting and enhanced lighting at the circulation desk.



The Jefferson Park Branch opened at its current location in 1970. It houses several art pieces, including quilts by by Bonnie Vondarche, a folk art painting and photographs of foreign outdoor scenery by Jeannine Krawczyk.



Do stories like this matter to you? Subscribe to Block Club Chicago. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.

