Lake Forest Library officials are planning the next phase of renovations, focusing on restoring several of the building’s historic rooms ahead of the library’s upcoming centennial.

On Nov. 11th, the library hosted a public presentation outlining plans to upgrade rooms originally designed by local architect Edwin Clark as part of the building’s 1931 construction.

“This library is so much more than a building; it is a reflection of the community,” board member Emily Van Bel said.

The proposed renovations include the building’s vestibule, foyer, rotunda, the Friends Reading Room, the reference room and the Reference Annex. Executive Director Ishwar Laxminarayan said the reference room and Friends Reading Room were last renovated in 1995–96.

Architect Alexander Kirkhaar told attendees the goal of the project is to restore the rooms’ original “Scandinavian elegance.” He and fellow architect Philip Hamp presented a conceptual design that includes restored furnishings, re-created original features such as Clark-designed ceiling vent covers and chandelier light shades, relocated service desks and computer stations to improve accessibility, new paint and flooring, and upgraded lighting.

“We can create a more balanced architectural ensemble,” Kirkhaar said of the proposed lighting changes.

Laxminarayan said the total cost of the renovation has not yet been determined, but he anticipates receiving a preliminary estimate in early 2026. Funding sources are still under discussion, though he indicated they could include a combination of library reserves, support from the Lake Forest Library Foundation, the Friends of the Lake Forest Library, and private donations.

The library board is expected to vote on construction contracts in February, according to Laxminarayan. That would lead to construction potentially beginning in fall 2026 and concluding by mid-2027. Whether the affected rooms will remain open during construction has not yet been decided.

“We will have clarity on this only after the general contractor is hired,” Laxminarayan said. “Our staff is brainstorming ways we can continue providing services to residents during the construction period.”

The historic room restoration is the latest in a series of recent improvements to the library building. In August 2023, repairs were completed on the building’s dome. In 2024, the library finished restoring murals by Russian-born artist Nicolai Remisoff in the rotunda. More recently, work began on upgrades to the library’s exterior courtyards, a project expected to be completed by the end of this year or in early 2026.

If the historic rooms project moves forward, library officials plan to shift their focus to broader master planning for the rest of the building. Areas identified for future attention include addressing the library’s parking shortage, expanding ADA accessibility, adding group study spaces and improving access to certain parts of the collections, among others.

“We hope these changes will enhance adaptability and show this community that we are deeply committed to preserving and maintaining this building for the next 100 years,” Laxminarayan said.

Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/lake-forest-library-presents-possible-upgrades/