New Library Queries and Comments

Crete Public Library staff will provide updates regarding the new library. In addition, we will do our best to respond to queries and other comments about the new library. (View the current planning and construction timeline.)

Update: Jan. 9, 2020

The Library will be closing at its present location Saturday, Jan. 11. No fines will accrue during the closed time, and materials may be dropped in the drive-thru drop box at the new library, 1515 Firest Ave. The new library will open on Thursday, Jan. 30. Questions? Call 402-826-3809.

Update: Jan. 7, 2020

In a symbolic gesture to commemorate moving from the old library on East 13th Street to the new facility at 1515 Forest Ave., the community will participate in a Book Brigade on Monday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. Crete High School National Honor Society members, along with library patrons and community members will line the seven blocks separating the two buildings. Two books will be passed from hand to hand as the group continues together to the new library. The public is welcome to participate.

Update: Nov. 26, 2019

The last day for library services at the old library will be Saturday, Jan. 11. The old library will close for two weeks, starting on Monday, Jan. 13. The new library will open on Thursday, Jan. 30. All outstanding materials will be given a two week extension. Questions, please call 402-826-3809.

Update: Oct. 10, 2019

As the exterior of the building nears competition, most of the work will be hidden from view. The exception to this will be the competition of the exterior of the Crete Carrier Corporation Community Room. The glass and exterior doors will be finished next week, as well as the drywall. The parking lot and the drive-through pavement will also be completed in the near future.

Update: Aug. 8, 2019

Glass is to be installed and concrete for sidewalk construction and the children’s outdoor reading garden will be poured the week of Aug. 12. The retaining wall should also be completed by the end of that same week.

Update: July 11, 2019

Recent construction highlights include: interior framing is ongoing; brick is being laid on the north and west exterior walls; the parking lot will be demolished soon and re-built; the roof is finished; the retaining wall and the glass to be put up in August.

Update: April 11, 2019

The first layer of the roof has been placed throughout the building. Next, a layer of concrete will be poured on the Crete Carrier Community room. Once that room is waterproof, then the work on the floor can begin. The exterior framing will soon go up. The installation of the utilities will also be completed in the near future.

Update: March 26, 2019

In spite of the winter weather, the new library building is still on schedule. The Crete Carrier Community Room’s walls are complete. The next step will be the construction of the roof.

On the library side, the steel roof beams are currently being placed. Next, the exterior walls will be erected and roof completed. For the interior, the furniture and fabrics have been selected and should go out to bid in April.

In addition, in the current library we have placed on the walls in the “teen area” a progression of panorama photos and images of some of the furniture that has been selected.

Update: September 12, 2018

The City of Crete and Crete Public Library held a ground breaking ceremony for the new library on Wednesday morning at the site - 1515 Forest Ave. with the event also Live on the City's Facebook Page. Read more...

Update: August 7, 2018

The Crete City Council accepted the low bid of Sampson Construction at their regular meeting on Aug. 7, clearing another hurdle toward the new library and community building planned for the old hospital site. 

After bids were accepted on Aug. 3 at City Hall, Mayor Roger Foster met with the City Administrator, Finance Director, and Clerk (grant writer) to review the numbers and seek recommendations on how to proceed. Sampson’s bid of $5,559,000 was ahead of Hampton Enterprises at $5,670,800. Four additional bidders included Cheever Construction, Lacey Construction, Inc., Genesis Contracting, and NGC Group. Read more...

Update: May 16, 2018

Revised floor plan of the new library and community room/storm shelter.

Highlights of the new building include:

Common Areas

• Community Room, seating for:
  • 159 people in chairs      
  •  80 people with round table
  • 60 people with rectangle tables
• Catering kitchen in the community room
• Café with vending machine and coffee
• Drive up window for drop off and collection of new material
• Donor walls
• Fully ADA compliant
• MakerSpace/Technology Room

Youth areas

• Children’s Program Room
• Teen Room
• Teen study area for four people
• Child’s restroom
• Mother’s Room
• Family seating
• Children’s activity area

Adult areas

• Quiet Adult Area with Fireplace
• Study Rooms (two person and four-person)
• Meeting Room
• Comfortable, southern-exposure seating

Outdoor areas

• Courtyard/Festival area
• Children’s Reading Garden
• Patio seating
• Children’s outdoor activity area/playground

Update: January 10, 2018

Take a drive by the old hospital to see it coming down a bit more every day. The Crete design committee met with the architects (BVH) to review their initial draft floor plan. BVH will revise the floor plan and after another review will present their design to the Crete Community on 1 March at 6:00pm at the UCC church.

Update: October 13, 2017

Thank you to all who attended the 26 October Community Input meeting. We know that the architects, BVH are appreciative of the Crete community’s feedback to them regarding the new library / community rooms. Below is a partial listing of some of the wishes and suggestions the Crete community has for our new complex. Please note that while we wish to have all of these wonderful features and materials, many of these are dependent upon the amount of grant monies we receive as well as financial support from the community.

What is a traditional library?

• Place to gain knowledge.
• In the style of Carnegie.
• Lots of wood.
• Comfortable.

Library design suggestions

• Open interior space
• Lots of windows to exterior
• Comfortable furnishings.
• Attractive and inviting for people to gather.
• Nooks or smaller spaces for more intimacy and privacy. Quiet
• Fireplace
• Separate areas for different groups – children, teens, study rooms

BVH will begin design and will present a final schematic design to the public at a similar public meeting sometime in mid-January 2018.