Director says O’Fallon has outgrown its library, may turn to taxpayers for a solution

The O’Fallon Public Library is exploring options for growth, including a referendum for new construction possibly in the fall of 2026.

Citing a 20-year study completed for its master plan in March 2023, Library Director Ryan Johnson said for the city’s needs, they found that the collection size isn’t large enough, and neither is the children’s activity room.

More multi-purpose space is needed, and more study rooms and seating are desired, as is usable outdoor space. Johnson said acoustics are also an issue in the existing library, located at 120 Civic Plaza behind the U.S. Post Office, which is on Lincoln Avenue.

That location is viewed as an issue, based on city growth, he said.

“For the south end of town, that might not be the most convenient location for a large number of residents as the city grows,” Johnson said.

Johnson appeared before the city council’s finance and administrative committee recently to go over the library’s strategic plan for 2024-2026, and the key takeaways moving forward.

The board has been mulling options to either renovate, add-on or build another library. It determined new construction is the most suitable direction.

Over the next couple of months, the board will be working with FGM Architects and Holland Construction to determine pre-construction cost estimates, with the possibility of taking it to the voters two years from now.

“If it isn’t approved, it’s not the end of the world. We’ll make the best of it,” Johnson said.

The library currently has 11,000 cardholders and had 129,497 visits during the recently completed 2023-2024 fiscal year. June is the busiest month, with 13,000 visits.

Visitors checked out 197,157 physical items and 64,200 digital assets last fiscal year. The library held 481 events that were attended by 12,477 people – 9,559 children, 2,400 adults and 517 teens.

By state statute, the public library is governed by a board of directors, which is appointed by the mayor and approved by the council. For every dollar spent in property taxes, two cents goes to the library fund. For instance, a house estimated at $250,000 would pay $125 annually.

For master plan input, the library sent out a survey to residents, and 650 responded. It also scheduled community engagement workshops. Johnson said.

A question on the library’s plans for a referendum will be included in an upcoming citizen survey, he said, to gauge interest.

Alderman Jessica Lotz said she has been a longtime advocate for the library.

“It’s more than just a place to read books and get information, it’s a social center. It’s amazing what they do,” she said.

Johnson said efforts to increase community engagement, be a welcoming community space, and prepare for growth are among the goals ahead.

“Time over time, we hear feedback about our excellent customer service that’s something we lean into and will capitalize on,” Johnson said.

The library opened in 1930 in the First National Bank building, on the second floor with 700 books on the shelves, mostly donations. Others were purchased by the O’Fallon Woman’s Club, which also sponsored the library through many months of fundraising and planning. At the time, the city’s population was 2,300 and membership was $1.

In 1943, voters approved shifting management to the city, and after several moves, landed at its current site in 1995. There was a major remodel in 2015.

The town has grown to more than 32,000 people, and there are 60,000-plus books in the library.

Among the most popular activities are the Summer Reading Program, the annual partnership with AARP that offers free tax filing services to patrons. Early childhood programs often have a waiting list – Book Babies, Toddler Tales and Preschool Storytime book fast.

Johnson has been working in O’Fallon for about 10 years, the last five as director. He currently serves as the president of the Illinois Library Association.

The library expanded programs with the parks department, a partnership with the O’Fallon Historical Society, and would like to think “outside the four walls” for other programming opportunities, Johnson said.

The Friends of the Library’s annual spring book sale attracts 4,000 visitors, with dozens of volunteers helping, and they usually raise over $15,000.

Johnson said he plans to attend the city’s finance committee meetings several times a year to update them on what is happening at the library.

To view the master plan, strategic plan and last year’s report, those documents are available online at https://go.boarddocs.com/il/ofallon/Board.nsf/files/CC6KGB51BEED/$file/2040%20MASTER%20PLAN_FINAL.pdf.