The Plainfield Area Public Library, located in downtown Plainfield, has been undergoing many renovations that will increase the size of the library, offer additional services, and overall better support all members of the community.
The library is almost halfway through the renovation project. The main level houses the children and teen areas. For teens, there are brand-new study rooms with plenty of seating that provides students a welcoming space to not only work on homework, but to (quietly) hang out with friends. There are also many teen programs, like crafting sessions, tech lessons, and even Dungeons and Dragons campaigns.
“The Library has so many resources for students,” Lisa Pappas, director of the Plainfield Area Public Library, said. “Many are print but also many are digital. You have access to more online resources with your library card that your school library may not have. You also have access to online tutors Monday through Thursday from 2 to 11 pm via Homework Help.”
Pappas emphasizes that going to the Plainfield Area Public Library can offer many more resources than a high school Media Center does, especially because the Library serves the entire community. Lisa Marcum, school head librarian, agrees.
“The Plainfield Area Public Library has later hours and is a space that can be a safe haven after the school day is over. They are open in the summer as well. The public library doesn’t have the same constraints as a school, so they can offer more at times,” Marcum said. “Budget wise they have more to work with as well. There are a lot of similarities, but the public library offers more outside non-academic resources that we can’t offer here at the school. Did you know you can check out a Nintendo Switch? A cricut cutting machine? A telescope?”
Some students are ready to take advantage of all that this revamped library has to offer. Many students already know and love the library, while others may come in more often after the renovations are completed.
“It’s a lovely place to study. I can find the books I need, and I can read and do my work in silence,” sophomore Natalie Zulca said.
“I can get books for classes there, plus I can read for fun just by borrowing books,” junior Adelyn Millerd said. These renovations have been a long time coming, and while many individuals in the community have been eagerly awaiting the renovations for years, the library has not received much funding in the past.
“The Plainfield Library has been attempting to expand for 20 years in order to catch up to the growth this community has experienced and continues to experience. The Library serves over 80,000 people from a building designed to serve a population of 25,000,” Pappas said. “Since the community has not supported a tax increase to fund an expansion, the Library Board of Trustees had to look at other ways to fund at least a renovation and possible small expansion. As soon as we were able to determine all of that, we got busy designing a renovation.”
Overall, the Plainfield Area Public Library’s goal with these renovations is to efficiently serve every member of the community and to provide a safe space for people of all ages. The entire renovation project is set to be completed by May 2025.
“You’ll have to come see them in person,” Pappas said.
