The drilling, pounding and painting at Indian Prairie Public Library is coming to an end, but not before one last push. A renovation project that began July 30 will enter its third and final phase Oct. 11 closing the library until Nov. 11. The biggest reason for the closure is lobby work, which will make the building inaccessible to the public.

Library director Jamie Bukovac said patrons are welcome to borrow materials before the closing and return them when the building reopens. She said all the parts of the $1.3 million renovation that could not be completed while the building was open were put off to the end, to minimize service disruption.

"We really tried to stay open as long as we could, which has inconvenienced our patrons I'm sure to some degree," Bukovac said.

The lobby work to be completed during the shutdown will include wiring for  electricity and data, tile flooring and applying an acoustical spray to the ceiling. The acoustical spray, which creates a stucco-like finish, addressed one of the issues Bukovac and library staff sought to address with the project—noise.

"Sound just bounces off that and goes everywhere," said Bukovac, pointing to the arched cielings. "So we're going to put an acoustical spray on those ceilings, and that's going to absorb the sound."

Bukovac and the staff began assembling a list of things they felt needed to change in the building in 2007. The Library Board of Trustees had been building up a reserve fund for long-term maintenance since the facility opened in 1996. The project cost roughly half of the reserve fund at the time it was approved in the middle of 2009.

Other improvements included a family center for young children and parents, a relocated and redesigned teen area, new public restrooms on the second floor, a vending café and new lighting throughout the library.

The library will also be increasing the number of computers from 31 to 46 and adding laptops to the adult services and youth department. Patrons will be able to borrow laptops while in the library.

Jim Janowiak, superintendent for Leopardo Construction, the contracting firm hired for the project, said his team is ahead of schedule, but it was too soon to tell if everything will be completed before Nov. 11. Phase three was originally scheduled to begin Oct. 11.

"We're running into the third phase now, a little early so the library doesn't get shut down as long," Janowiak said.

Phase three tasks bumped up in the schedule include carpeting and repainting the executive offices and other staff areas. Flooring for the children's space is currently being installed, and the acoustical spray will be applied on the second floor's main space prior to closing.

Sariya Nawaz, a Burr Ridge resident and library patron for six years, has been studying for the United States Medical Licensing Exam during construction. While the library is closed, she said she will be studying at the University of Illinois at Chicago's campus. Nawaz was glad to hear there will be a new vending café.

"That would help me a lot," Nawaz said. "I always need something while I study to drink or to eat."