MAHOMET — Voters in Mahomet will have the chance to vote on an $8.9 million bond to fund an expansion to the Mahomet Public Library. The proposal will appear on the March 17 primary ballot.
Library officials say the need for an expansion comes down to one issue: The current building can no longer keep up with demand.
Shelves are at capacity and there’s overcrowding in both meeting spaces and the children’s area, according to John Howard, director of Mahomet Public Library.
“It’s just packed,” he said. “There are moms sitting on the floor between the shelves trying to read to their kids. There are three or four kids playing at each one of the toys that are out there. It’s just clearly too small for the number of people that want to use it.”
The building that Mahomet residents use today opened after an earlier planning process nearly two decades ago. In 2007, a consultant studying Mahomet’s population and projected growth recommended a 26,000-square-foot library, according to Howard.
But when the proposal went to taxpayers, funding was approved for a smaller building of only 13,300 square feet. Howard said Mahomet’s population has grown significantly ever since, and the library has seen steady increases in program attendance and daily use.
Kaylee Hillinger said she often brings her three children — Isabel, Myles and Ada — to the library’s Preschool Playdate event on Friday mornings. She has since noticed the need for more space.
“My son was just throwing a little bit of a temper tantrum because at the sand station, there’s just not enough room,” Hillinger said. “They offer plenty of other activities, which is awesome that we can pivot, but the expanded space right now would be super awesome for the kids and parents in our community.”
Meeting space is another challenge, according to Howard. The library currently has one community room, often used to host large events and library programs for patrons. It often reaches capacity, he said, fitting as many as 150 people inside during programs, leaving others standing outside the doors trying to see in.
Community groups frequently request the space as well, but the library cannot always accommodate them.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that people want to be at the library, but they can’t or don’t come because there’s just no space for them,” Howard said.
If the referendum passes, the project would add several new features to the building. Plans include a new 7,200-square-foot Children’s Library, a dedicated teen space and additional shelving to expand the library’s collection.
Children’s books are among the most frequently checked-out materials, Howard said, yet the children’s section currently has the smallest amount of shelf space. Library officials say the expansion would allow the collection to better match demand.
The project would also add a significantly larger community room that could be divided into two separate meeting spaces.
Another addition would be a covered outdoor patio. According to Howard, outdoor events became especially popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the building does not currently have a shaded area for visitors.
The total cost of the proposed expansion and repairs are estimated to be $10,500,000.
According to library officials, the Library Board of Trustees has committed to covering the first 15% through reserves, grants and donations from the community. The remaining $8,925,000 would come from bonds if voters approve the referendum. The measure would increase property taxes by less than 1%, or about $5.33 per month for a $300,000 home.
Howard said that while a large expansion like this isn’t free, it is affordable.
“Ask yourself, for five bucks a month, do I want to have our library have just a wonderful space for families, for adults, for people to use?” Howard said. “Is it worth the amount that we’re asking?”
If the referendum passes, Howard said the library would immediately begin the next phase of planning with an architect. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027, with the new building opening in time for summer 2028 programming.
If the referendum is rejected, Howard said the library will continue operating as it does now — but the same problems would remain.
“We’ll continue to have families and children turned away from programs because there’s no space for them,” Howard said. “We’ll continue to have to tell community organizations that their meetings can’t be held at the library because there’s no room. But, we will still continue to give great service.”
