Learn about the renovation projects happening at EVPL Oaklyn

A phased renovation project will take place at EVPL Oaklyn, beginning in August 2025 and lasting into the first half of 2026.

The project is being done in multiple phases to help reduce disruption of library services or experiences.

Project Overview | Current Project | EVPL Oaklyn History

Project Overview

Phase 1 includes the expansion and renovation of the meeting room. The meeting room will be expanded out into the front of the building, creating a larger space to meet the needs of our community.

This phase will create three key changes for visitors:

• The entrance to EVPL Oaklyn’s parking lot will be re-routed away from the front of the building. This means that the current one-way exit from the parking lot will become a two-way entrance/exit. Signage will mark this change.
• The exterior book drop will be relocated to a different area of the parking lot.
• Some recurring programs at EVPL Oaklyn will be temporarily hosted at EVPL North Park until the meeting room renovations are complete.

Details about future phases will be posted to this page, with regular updates via EVPL social media.

As part of these changes happening at EVPL Oaklyn, some trees are being removed. Reasons include:

• Creating space for the meeting room expansion at the front of the building.
• Opening an area for the construction of a new outdoor activity pavilion.
• Replacement of the landscaping in the parking lot green spaces, as the current trees’ root systems have outgrown those locations.

The rooftop meadow and garden are being restored and reimagined as part of the overall renovation project. This includes mowing and reseeding of the roof to encourage more growth of native species, and to reduce or crowd out invasive/non-native species. Part of the area will also be developed for outdoor programming and gathering space.

Current Project

Project Update | October 7, 2025

Over the next two weeks, the parking lot at EVPL Oaklyn will be repaved in two phases. One half of the parking lot will be repaved at a time, and signage will route vehicles to the accessible areas of the lot. Please note that parking may be limited at times.

Project Update | October 2, 2025

• The foundation for the expanded meeting room has been poured, demonstrating how much bigger this room will be upon completion.
• The children’s area continues to be updated, including adding a family restroom.
• A sensory room is being added to this location. 
• The rooftop meadow has been reseeded with native grasses, and more native plants have been added.
• Shade structures on the rooftop meadow are being built, allowing future library visitors to enjoy this space in a new way.
• The parking lot will be resurfaced in the first half of October.   

Project Update | August 18, 2025

Beginning Monday, August 18, the Children’s Area at EVPL Oaklyn will be closed as we begin Phase 1 of reimagining this library. During this time, we encourage you to attend Storytimes and other youth programs at one of our other EVPL locations.

Parking Lot Updates | August 4, 2025

EVPL Oaklyn History

EVPL Oaklyn celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023, opening on March 8, 2003. Beneath a green roof of prairie grass and local wildflowers, the 14,000-square-foot building is a truly unique part of our library system. With free meeting and study rooms, WiFi, public computer access, printers, and more, this library offers a multitude of resources to the surrounding community.