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Frequently Asked Questions

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Building Expansion
I don't believe you will spend the increased taxes wisely. You created a grandiose building and wasted that money in the past. Now you do not release plans on ow you will spend an increase in our tax support. Since I live in LITH and use the Algonquin Library would like I transfer over to their library and support them. You would have one less patron and I would be where I want to be.

Dear Patron,

We are sorry you feel we wasted your money in the past. I’m not sure what you are referring to when you say the building is grandiose and therefore I cannot address that point. We would be happy to give you a tour of the building if you like.

Do you have a list of books on CD?

We do not have a printed list of books on CD. However, you can access lists on our computer catalog.

Are there any plans for the expansion that can be viewed by the public before we vote?

The library board decided to save the money that it would cost for an architect to design the building until after the referndum passes. They also felt it was more important to concentrate on the services that an expanded library could provide rather than the outward appearance. I'm sure the addition would be in keeping with the current building, however.
Thanks for your question!

More adult book clubs/existing clubs need to be made a library program so that we can at least get a room in the new municipal building. The book club, sponsored in the past by the library, has been disowned. Adult book club should not be during the day when adults work.

The Huntley Area Public Library does not have a room at the new municipal building; the library is not part of the village.

Book clubs were once able to meet at the library, but because there is very limited seating, especially during the evenings, we are no longer able to accommodate even this basic library function.

Does the library have needs assessment plan in place? Does your long range plan cover an expansion?

The Huntley Area Public Library is finalizing its Strategic Plan. Improving services and providing adequate space is an ongoing goal.

Serve Huntley residents only – you don’t have to service LITH and Algonquin. Those communities have their own libraries.

Actually, the Huntley Area Public Library District covers a good portion of Lake in the Hills, as well as a small portion of Algonquin. Although Algonquin does have its own library, the portion in our district pays its taxes to us. Lake in the Hills does not have its own library, and pays their taxes either to the Huntley Library or the Algonquin Library.

The Library doesn’t have the books / materials I am looking for. The last 3 visits I couldn’t find what I needed, so I bought the books at Barnes and Noble. I wish the Huntley Library was more like Algonquin.

I am sorry that you were unable to find what you needed on our shelves. However, in the future please remember that we can reserve it for you. Also, we are members of a 23-library consortium, and can usually get what you need in about 2-3 days. We would like to make the library better for you, and easier to browse items on the shelves, but that is up to voters in November.

Disappointed with new renovations … I’m sure space was needed for Administrative purposes, but it looked like that is all that was done and rest of the library suffered.

Actually very little of the space that was renovated was used for offices. The two office areas that were added house ten staff members who share computers and work space. The biggest change during the renovation was the relocation of the children’s area into what was the program room.

Why don’t you add a second floor, or dig under the building to add a basement area for expansion? Build out your basement for future use. Add a second floor balcony. What is in the upper level of the library, couldn’t that space be used for meeting rooms or children’s section?

The original building was designed with our rural country charm in mind. Thus the beautiful stonework and the garden gazebo outside, and the stone fireplace and beautiful woodwork inside. (Both the garden area and the two-sided fireplace were paid for through private donations at the time the building was constructed.) The ceilings, although beautiful, cannot be used for second story space.

Why doesn’t the library visit other successful libraries to get ideas? (Elmhurst, Algonquin, Woodstock, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Wheaton, etc.)

Actually, staff and board members have visited many of these libraries to see how they utilize space, and observe what works well. These libraries are very successful, have large attractive buildings with plenty of seating space and many more resources and materials than we have. Unfortunately, they are much larger and have the space to provide these things for residents.

Can you have a remote location somewhere else in town, or a branch at the Sun City lodge? Why not build a separate library for LITH? You should have built a branch at the new government center for the library.

While this may seem like a more cost-effective way to do business, it would actually be more expensive. Multiple buildings mean another mortgage or rent payment, another set of utilities, more staff, more computers and technology related expenses, and more furniture and shelving to purchase.

Why is the Library supported by public funds?

The Huntley Area Public Library District was established by the majority of voters in 1989. By establishing a library, they gave the board the authority to create a property tax, within certain limits. Only about 3 cents of every property tax dollar you pay goes to support the library.

Why don’t you think of creative ways to raise money? Hold more fundraisers to benefit the library and pay for the expansion. The village paid for their building without a referendum.

The library and Friends of the Library have been doing a lot of fundraising over the last several years, but unless someone makes a multi-million dollar donation, fundraising will not pay for the cost of an addition. The library’s main source of support is the property tax dollar. Legally we cannot impose other types of taxes (such as utility or sales tax) on residents.

The internet has put libraries on the back-burner.

While it is true that the internet is a very popular tool, most people don’t find that it provides the many resources and services they can find at their public library. The usage at the Huntley Area Public Library has actually increased over 11 times since this building opened nine years ago.

Why don’t you open a branch in the Old Village Hall, or move something over there (like the Children’s Library) to open up more space in the existing building?

The Huntley Area Public Library very much appreciates the generosity of the many banks, and other agencies, as well as the Village of Huntley in allowing us to use the old Village Hall rooms for meetings and programs.

Why wasn’t the library built larger to begin with? Didn’t you see the growth that was coming? Initial plan for library was outdated before it was built, considering the growth that somebody should have known about. Why was there no room for expansion in the original plans?

The current library was built to serve 15,000 people. The library board at the time built it as large as they could with the funds available, and it was 10 times larger than the original library. It was always planned that additions would be built. The first one was to have been constructed in about 2004; at that time however, residents had other tax issues to deal with.

We would like expanded books and materials, also books in other languages (Spanish, German, Indian, etc.), and more Christian materials for adults and young teens.

Until we are able to have more room for an expanded selection of books and materials, you are able to visit our website and search the catalog for materials from our 23 member consortium. Usually it takes only a few days to receive materials from another library, and you are notified when your materials arrive for pickup at our location.

I am excited to see that our library is considering expanding. I am a younger resident that pays high taxes, as well, but feels that educational facilities are worth every penny! Whether it's a school, a community college, or a library, these institutions better our village. All that said, I do not like the glossy seemingly expensive newsletters that the library sends to every resident. I am a library user, but often throw that flyer in the trash. Can you save even a little money by providing a less flashy newsletter?

Thank you for your question about the Library Links newsletter. The library strives to deliver information to district residents in a cost-effective and timely manner. A recent survey showed that the newsletter is utilized each month by over 90% of the respondents to the survey. It is their #1 choice of how they receive library information.

How many people visit the library daily? With such short hours on Sunday, or not even open on Sundays for 3 months, the expansion needs do not seem critical.

That's a good question! Between 700 and 800 people on average visit the library each day. In the fiscal year ending June 2007, some 265,000 people visited the library.

Why doesn't your poll list $0 for an expansion option? Your poll should have an $0 per month option. We are being taxed out of our homes out here. Your poll is very limited basedon the fact that $0.00 is not an option. I take that to mean you are not looking for a real opinion and/or a true measure of the possible success of your plannned referendum. Too bad. That would seem to be important information.

The poll I believe you are referring to was a follow-up to the mail survey that was sent to everyone in the disrict. We could only read the results of those that were returned. The majority of those people felt improvements needed to be made in the library. The follow-up poll was an informal survey to find out what people would be willing to pay for improvements.

When the present building was built, why were there no provisions made for future expansions? They built the present one with alot of unusable space, namely by the vast ceiling space. That area should have been built to accomidate more usable room, not the high useless space we have now. Also, with all the schools, why can't we use their librarys? We pay taxes on them, why not use them.I am against raising taxes for expansion when we already have multiple facilities within the village we could and should be using.

When the planning for the current library began in 1995, there were estimations on potential growth in the area over the next 10-15 years. However, they were all projections and had not been approved.

Why expand? it does see like there is a lot of people at the library. Did you check to see if the material here is all being used seems there may be stuff here that is not that can be used for other recources. Has the library considered another site why just have one perhaps an adult section could be a different location and or a separate structure to create a more campus like feel to the community any more questions you could ask me MSK

Dear Library User:

Thank you for your comments and questions. We do check to see if the material is being used and we are constantly withdrawing out-of-date and unused items.