Wheaton Council Expresses Support For Library's $2M Dollar Improvement Plan

WHEATON, IL — At a planning session on June 22, the Wheaton City Council expressed support for the Wheaton Public Library's implementation strategy for the second phase of its Vision Plan. The improvements, estimated at just over $2 million, include adding a makerspace, and making upgrades to the library's teen, youth and core ("heart") spaces.

During the meeting, Wheaton Public Library Executive Director Betsy Adamowski explained that the library has become a "third space" for residents. She cited statistics that show a dramatic uptick in participation in activities, such as mahjong and bridge over the past two years.

“It is quite amazing and the reason why, I believe, the parking lot is always full," she said.

Adamowski also shared data that showed the library's teen and tech spaces are being used more often. Usage of the teen space was up by more than 130 percent from Jan. 2024 through June 2026. In that time, average daily computer usage increased by more than 24 percent.

“Those spaces are being used and we need to continue to grow them and give them the space that they deserve," Adamowski said.

She also shared that library patrons have expressed a desire for a maker space.

“What we’re seeing now is that our community wants a maker space," Adamowski said.

She cited statistics that show that more than 80 percent of libraries serving populations of 40,000 or more have a maker space. These include the Downers Grove and Naperville Public Libraries.

Adamowski shared additional data that showed libraries that serve populations of fewer than 40,000 residents, such as Glen Ellyn and Warrenville, also have maker spaces.

Wheaton Public Library's plans for a maker space include a 3-D printing machine, an embroidery machine, a button maker, a Cricut machine, a laser engraver and other tools that might be too expensive or large for residents to have in their homes, Adamowski said.

Plans to improve the teen and youth spaces include new paint and carpeting and a game room.

Adamowski described the other aspect of the project's focus as the library's "heart." This is made up of the cafe, the Book Nook and spaces where patrons play interactive games.

The library has been working with designing firm StudioGC on its ongoing vision plan and this phase. Darren Schretter from StudioGC was at the June 22 meeting.

Schretter said the "heart" space has grown "serendipitously" through residents using the library more and more in recent years.

He said the vision plan aims to "bring people together" and "encourage [library visitors] to sit down and meet new people."

This is a "very exciting and very unique at the moment to the Wheaton Public Library," Schretter said.

After the library's presentation, city finance director Robert Lehnhardt shared some information about the library's projected budget and plans for funding this phase of improvements.

Lehnhardt explained that construction will be supported by money from the library's building renewal fund and capital projects fund, along with agency endowment and Friends of the Wheaton Public Library.

City Manager Michael Dzugan said of the project, "We believe that we have the funding available to fund the project," adding that he believes the library has clearly shown a need for it.

Next steps will be work on detailed drawings before project bidding would move forward.